aaamusic | On 25, Sep 2011

First EP for Bolivian artist David Lemaitre. Five songs of intimistic folk pop, between Nick Drake and Jose Gonzales. Six Years, the initial track, sounds like Drake revisited by Tunng, with the quirky and soft electronic beats pulsing behind the soapy voice of Lemaitre. Who knows if the title of the song refers to the length of the song itself; Six Years is in fact way too long and ruins a bit the splendid arrangements of Philipp ‘the Orchestra’.

‘The incredible Airplane Party’ unexpectedly reminds Animal Collective on cannabis, with its peculiar rhythm and its ethereal atmosphere.

Jacques Cousteau, dedicated to the great French explorer, impresses with its guitar riff but results a bit dull after few times you listen to it. Same applies to In Your Own Sweet Way, where Lemaitre dreams of Jeff Buckley but wakes up with an unimpressive melody. Lemaitre does much better with the closing Valediction, where the remembrance of Elliott Smith drifts through the chords of a gentle guitar and a soft melody accompanies the ‘Let It Go’ refrain.

Valediction may not be an astonishing debut, but it would be unfair not to remark the enormous potential of this young artist. Hopefully, his talents will unfold wings very soon.

 

Author: Lorenzo Coretti