Two years ago, Holodeck unveiled the debut EP from Montreal-based artist Marie Davidson; it was a short set of chilled electronic music accompanied by Davidson's breathy speak-singing. Un Autre Voyage uses the pattern of that original release as a jumping-off point, showing off a surprisingly broader and more evocative side to Davidson's detached coolness.
"Boulevard Taschereau" leads off the proceedings with a window directly into the artist's own psyche, her words emanating directly from her own experience. This sense of directness continues as the album unfolds; accompanied only by a sparse smattering of synths and skeletal drum machine rhythms, the songs are — as Davidson herself has attested — based on true events. Yet only "Excès De Vitesse" comes across as resembling anything close to a pop song; musically, Davidson chooses to work in a more enigmatic vein, choosing atmosphere over comfort.
This path works for her, the brooding sonics playing off well against her slightly less chilly vocalizations. Hardly a ray of sunshine, Un Autre Voyage manages to retain just enough of the icy charm from Davidson's debut EP to keep her listeners captivated.
(Holodeck)"Boulevard Taschereau" leads off the proceedings with a window directly into the artist's own psyche, her words emanating directly from her own experience. This sense of directness continues as the album unfolds; accompanied only by a sparse smattering of synths and skeletal drum machine rhythms, the songs are — as Davidson herself has attested — based on true events. Yet only "Excès De Vitesse" comes across as resembling anything close to a pop song; musically, Davidson chooses to work in a more enigmatic vein, choosing atmosphere over comfort.
This path works for her, the brooding sonics playing off well against her slightly less chilly vocalizations. Hardly a ray of sunshine, Un Autre Voyage manages to retain just enough of the icy charm from Davidson's debut EP to keep her listeners captivated.
