Pink Elephant marks the return of Arcade Fire, three years almost day for the day after the publication of WE And also after the allegations of sexual misconduct against his singer, Win Butler. More focused than ever on the couple and the tandem of songwriters That he forms with Régine Chassagne, this disc evokes both personal storms and a quest for redemption.
Posted at 0:15 a.m.
The synth sound which is essential at the beginning ofOpen Your Heart or Die Tryinginstrumental piece that opens Pink Elephantevokes that of an alarm siren. No danger watches the person who puts the ear to the 10 intimate rock songs contained in this disc. The warning holds the road nevertheless: this album evokes the interior seismic tremors which seem to have brewed the couple Chassagne-Butler and perhaps also contradictory, sometimes uncomfortable feelings.
No song directly approach the allegations for Win Butler wanting him to abuse his status to take advantage of young women. It is however difficult not to think about it when listening to songs like Pink Elephant (where the guitar is reminiscent of the first disc of interpol) or Circle of Trustwhere it is particularly a question of shocking love. The couple seems to have spent a bad quarter of an hour. This is perhaps the reason why this disc looks less outside than inside.
Year of the SnakeDisc resistance piece, clearly poses things: the title refers to the year of the snake which, in Chinese astrology, marks a year of transformation and challenges, but which would also be a symbol of wisdom and maturity.
Hence this quest for authenticity, this kind of desire for almost therapeutic exposure, which we feel in the disc. “Season of Change / If You Feel Strange / It’s probably good”, sings Win Butler at the chorus.
Arcade Fire – Year of the Snake
This feeling of strangeness, one can legitimately feel him as a listener, listening to a singer to whom the abuse was criticized, but who was never accused, and his partner who defended and supported him. The presumption of innocence exists. The right to believe the alleged victims first too. Art has nothing to do with it.
To love Pink Elephantwe must mourn this incandescent group that we believed without spot. Mourn, too, the fantastic collective impulses carried by the choirs which, of Funeral has The Suburbswe have packed so much.
-You have to be transported by this rock often pushed by an electronic pulsation, where the tension is most of the time retained and fed by atmospheres woven by synths. You have to want to dance on air which, they are unanswered.
Yes, these songs made by Régine Chassagne, Win Butler and the very respected Daniel Lanois testify to a songwriting high level. We have no doubt a second that songs like Stuck In My Head, Year of the Snake et Alien Nation will walk on stage. There is still, as far as I am concerned, something broken with Arcade Fire.
Arcade Fire – Pink Elephant
Pink Elephantchosen as the title of the disc, evokes this psychological principle according to which it is enough to tell someone not to think of one thing – a pink elephant, for example – so that this thing is imposed on his mind. The image that is essential when I think of Arcade Fire unfortunately no longer arouses enthusiasm in my house. I imagine that I will not be the only person who wanted to continue to love this emblematic group, but who will not appeal to this disc in his online profile.
ROCK
Pink Elephant
Arcade Fire
Sony
7,5/10
