The wait lasted six years. From Welcome to the Jungle (2019), the founding album that propelled him into the spotlight, Rilès remained discreet, without disappearing from the radar. This January 10 marks his real return with Survival modea new opus which explores exploded horizons while preserving the essence of its beginnings. This alliance, between reinvention and loyalty to its artistic DNA, testifies to a thoughtful evolution, driven by asserted mastery and creativity that has remained intact.
An atypical journey, an assumed identity
Originally from Rouen, Rilès established himself at the end of the 2010s as a singular figure on the French scene, skillfully mixing rap, soul, gospel and acoustic forays. In 2016, his project Rilèsundayz – a song per week for a year – revealed his ambition and innovative spirit, while titles like Thank godcertified gold records, and Brothers platinum, assert its unique style.
A striking opening
The eponymous piece, Survivalopens the album on a bold note. Rilès surprises with a track dominated by synthetic bass and a striking electronic texture, before abruptly stripping away to leave room only for an acoustic guitar and a bare voice. This fluid shift naturally introduces Big troublethe second title.
Minimalist and refined, this piece unveiled last October puts the singer’s voice at the forefront, by turns plaintive and assertive. True standard of the album, Big trouble demonstrates that musical simplicity can still captivate, while revealing Rilès’ marked taste for the voice/guitar duo, which we find later in the piece Paradise.
Rich influences
In this new opus, Rilès once again asserts himself as a tightrope walker of genres. Money treesreleased in November, also illustrates this diversity while reconnecting with its original aesthetic. Carried by a catchy rhythm and careful melodies, the song avoids repetition thanks to renewed production. Its clip, filmed in the streets of Rouen, also gave the piece a boost: images, widely relayed on the networks, showed the singer alongside municipal maintenance workers.
Survival mode is also enriched by two collaborations. No regretswith British rapper Bawo, establishes a melancholic and introspective atmosphere. Obviouson the other hand, calls on Tif, singing in French, for an energetic and captivating title. The voices of the two artists intertwine and respond fluidly, while strings and synths mingle to weave a captivating atmosphere.
-A contrasting terrain
When Big trouble et Paradise are distinguished by their emotional simplicity, Beasts! dives into the album’s darkest depths. With its oppressive bass, its superimposed choral voices and its heavy atmosphere, this piece imposes a captivating, almost cinematographic dimension, which contrasts with the rest of the opus.
A stock
Buy on Fnac.com
In contrast, Interludea passage of only 30 seconds, offers a luminous and suspended breath, evoking a film soundtrack imbued with clarity and hope. This moment, both minimalist and experimental, is intriguing in its brevity, breathing an unexpected breath into the whole thing. This alternation between titles with dense textures and refined moments illustrates the controlled diversity that runs through the album.
Save my mindthe nugget
And Survival mode full of memorable moments, Save my mind stands out as one of its jewels. From the first seconds, Rilès intrigues with an introduction in Japanese, an unexpected but perfectly integrated cultural nod, which gives the piece a remarkable singularity.
Carried by a delicately retro production and a catchy chorus, Save my mind brilliantly combines innovation and continuity. Rilès’ voice displays a natural fluidity, while the balance between modern sounds and nostalgic touches creates a vibrant and memorable title. This track captures the very essence of the album: bold and perfectly controlled.
A controlled turning point
With Survival modeRilès delivers a work that confirms his ability to surprise while remaining faithful to his universe. He constructs an album rich in contrasts, carried by meticulous production and assertive artistic mastery. This intimate and ambitious opus illustrates the evolution of an artist who knows how to take risks and reinvent himself without ever losing sight of his identity.
