Blonde Redhead
23

THE REVIEW

Kazu Makino and the Pace twins are back! "23" is their new work for 4AD.

It seems like they flew by, but it's been a good three years since their previous "Misery Is A Butterfly," a unique album that, after the slight change of direction of "Melodies Of Certain Damaged Lemons," led them to explore sounds and sensations increasingly distant from their origins, leaving some fans disappointed. However, those who, like me, let themselves be carried away by its sweet and melancholic melodies, found themselves in an alien and crepuscular continent made of magical mountains and rosy passions, of elephant-girls light as butterflies and ghosts that pass through the walls of the psyche. I discovered that among those magical mountains, I could breathe, so I stayed, without looking back at the turbulent blue sky...

Now, after three years, I wondered what would happen. Were the butterflies just a parenthesis? Would the journey resume from those broken-down cars of 7 years ago? Not at all, "23" picks up the thread from where it was left off, bringing us to an adjacent territory. This time as well, the whole album is tied together by Kazu's sweet voice, but you can sense more light; after the nocturnal colors, the blue and ink of "Misery Is A Butterfly," "23" brings us the pastel hues of the dawn. The more easygoing footprint of many tracks truly recalls the lightness of a sunrise, there's a nod to the end of the eighties' dream-pop wave (of which 4AD was always a proponent), especially in the opening track where Amedeo's guitar revisits and updates the sound of Kevin Shields (My Bloody Valentine).

I honestly don't know if it's a deliberate tribute or if Kevin Shields was more or less directly involved, but the imprint is evident, and the result is definitely appreciable. It continues with "Strangeluv," a catchy ballad with Simone's syncopated rhythm and Kazu's meows, and "SW" is also very interesting, where we find the magical chemistry between Amedeo's voice and his guitar, along with some trumpet forays in a Beatles style.

In the more energetic "Spring and By Summer Fall," Amedeo's guitar, along with a bass riff in the style of "Futurism Vs Passeism Part 2," creates an almost Kraut-rock effect. "Publisher" is a decidedly darker track, introduced by a dark-wave-style drum machine, with Kazu and Amedeo's voices languidly duetting, keyboards and guitars creating a fascinating leaden atmosphere. "The Dress," "Heroine," and "My Pure Hair" rest on an intangible and dreamy atmosphere. Less -dream- and more -pop- are "Silently" and "Top Ranking," the two less incisive episodes (at least after the first listens).

This work is likely to finally distance the early fans, too bad for them; Blonde Redhead still have something new to tell us, their style remains original and unique.

An album to listen to upon waking, thinking about the dreamlike ocean we have just left.