aaamusic | On 22, Oct 2010

‘Excerpts‘ is the gorgeous new record from Montreal resident Olivier Alary, the songwriter/composer behind Ensemble. Here, lush orchestration combines with sophisticated pop to produce an atemporal sound that finds no straightforward reference points. Although comparisons can be drawn with the music of Matthew Herbert in its sublime eccentricity, or Serge Gainsborugh’s motorcycle romanticism, Yann Tiersen’s chanson française, behind such musical pointers lies an overarching, unique personality.

A first single ‘Envies D’Avalanches’ iis available on 29th November, ahead of the album’s release on 17th January, and is backed with a suitably melancholy and haunting take on UB40’s 1980 hit ‘Food For Thought’. It is Oliver’s voice you will hear by the way on the A side, and that of vocalist Darcy Conroy on the flip.