Alcest
Kodama

After discussing Darkthrone and their return to their favored genre, there's a similar scenario for Alcest.
Alcest: always an interesting project led by mastermind Neige (vocals, guitar, bass, keyboards) and Winterhalter (drums), essentially definable as Blackgaze. A relatively recent genre offering a mix of Black Metal, Shoegaze, and Post-Rock.

Not even a month ago, they came out with this album titled "Kodama," which in Japanese can mean both "echo" and "tree spirit," and this last one surprises everyone a bit as it sees Alcest return to Blackgaze form 100%.
For those unaware of their discographic history: Alcest was born in 1999 as a Raw Black Metal trio under Neige's idea; subsequently, after the departure of the other two members, it became a fully solo project by the aforementioned artist, releasing the debut "Souvenirs d'un autre monde" (as a one-man band; considered their masterpiece), starting a Blackgaze journey. In 2009, Winterhalter joined, with whom he composed three albums before this: "Écailles de lune," "Les Voyages de l'âme," and "Shelter," all released two years apart from each other.

What's the novelty? The major novelties are two: we return to hearing more sounds closer to Black Metal not only from a "guitar" perspective and especially Neige's screams, a thing that hadn't happened since 2010 with "Écailles de lune". Nobody expected it after "Les Voyages de l'âme" and "Shelter," where Alcest had practically abandoned themselves to a softer, let’s say, and more Shoegaze style.
"Kodama" is also a concept album, centered on the confrontation between the natural world and the human world; inspired by the animated film "Princess Mononoke." And this is the second novelty, something that had not happened since the debut (2007), in which Neige, with music and lyrics, traveled to a distant dimension, in his personal dream world.

Despite the novelties, Alcest with this album haven't fully convinced me. Six tracks for about forty minutes, just like "Écailles de lune" but decidedly inferior, wanting to make a comparison.
We can find "Je suis d'ailleurs" and "Oiseaux de proie", where the roughness and anguish of Black Metal manage to perfectly meet ethereal voices and sounds. Very balanced and also varied compositions, accompanied by an excellent use of effects regarding the guitar and free drum incursions by Winterhalter (great performances for him on this album).
Unfortunately, however, on the other side, we can find Alcest in a somewhat verbose version with songwriting and riffing that leave a bit to be desired. I'm referring in particular to the opener "Kodama" (where there are still no hints of Blackgaze) and the subsequent "Eclosion", both reaching 9 minutes, which this time are a bit excessive.
Throughout the album, I kept finding myself thinking "Eh! Not bad, damn!" and "Where do they want to go?"
In short, the beginning partially discouraged me, but overall a good album. They have undoubtedly done better in their career.