(April 2010) For unknown reasons the French seem quite adept at making minimal synth music. Perhaps it’s their philosophical and literary diet, peppered as it is with existential with a good dollop of Gallouis despair. Either way, the denizens of l’Hexagone definitely have something when it comes to producing quality synth wave; with La Forme Lente being a good example of this blatant generalization.
On the back of ADN’ Ckrystall’s Orgasmatron(ic), Le Forme Lente greet the new decade with a four tracker compilation: Circuit D’Actes. To form this mini collection the Brignole label has gathered an international quartet of relatively unknown artists, showcasing their take on the wave sound. The 12″ opens with the measured analogue tones of Bonjour Tristesse and “Partner in Crime.” The track has a lo-fi calm to it, with vocals cradling synthesizer lines and a nice hint of heartache in there. Automelodi follows up with “Employé Terne.” Some may know Automelodi for his work on Hertz-Schrittmacher as Arnaud Lazlaud. The track, with its guitar leanings, is dripping in French charm; or Quebecois in Automelodi’s case. It’s a charm that is maybe difficult to put your finger on, and one pickled in sterotypes. The track has a loveliness to it. It’s not a club piece, and maybe not even one for a minimal synth mix; a track for warm days driving in a Citroen CX, if that makes sense.
The flip-side sees Dolina return to a synthcentric sound with “To Be Scared.” Dolina has featured on a couple of Enfant Terrible compilations but as of yet hasn’t got a debut EP out. The track, with its rumbling synthlines and dry female vocals, has a darker Nancy Fortune note to it. The track toes the line of darkwave but never finds itself in the wave shadows, the synth keeps the anguished lyrics just about the pit; a very clever and deep track. The compilation comes to a close with Frank Just Frank and “The Closet Song.” This French work drips with analogue anguish. The chords have an addictiveness to them, with the lyrics extolling an empty unrequited existence.
Circuit D’Actes is a wonderfully diverse display of what is happening in minimal synth at the moment. The 12″ contains artists from different countries, but the sound is steeped in the French aspect. Each track has an indefinable reassured anxiety to it. Layers of uncertainty and optimism clash and combine across the record. For anyone interested in this second coming of minimal synth and wave this is definitely worth a look.
Circuit D’Actes is out now on La Forme Lente.
