La Forme Lente, and their Circuit D’Actes compilations, help to navigate the listener towards gleaming aural islands and analogue ambrosia.
La Forme Lente are stalwarts of contemporary Synth Wave. The French label has created a platform for modern artists exploring the sounds of New Wave, Minimal Synth and Analogue Pop. One of the pillars of the imprint, one of its main methods to bring new names to eager ears, is their Circuit D’Actes compilations. Five years after the first edition of this series comes the third, Circuit D’Actes 3.
As ever La Forme Lente have dug deep and unearthed some new growth talent. Kline Coma Xero introduce themselves with “Left Behind.” Beats race as arpeggios rise and fall; scorched undertones meet atonality and tear streaked vocals for a fiery first. The musings of Illustation Sonore follow. Snares are measured as synth layers are built against tinted lyrics. The track mirrors Electro Pop, catchy with a tempered energy. Position Parallèle, of Hau Ruck!, are next with “Pop Mortem.” The immediate comparison is Automelodi. It might be the vocals en Francais, but the softness of chord and gentleness of touch throw up further similarities—delicate and fragile electronics. EBM arrives with Post Mortem. “Amorf /verzió/” is a pulsating piece of factory floor soaked angst. Brittle and raw. Shiny Black Mater, formally Le Syndicat Electronique, emit the weird warblings of guitar and psyche machinery. Kline Coma Xero return on the flip for another excellent installment. Grit sits next warmth, angst beside contentedness and caustic before comfort. Illustration Sonore offer “Violence” and EBM class is the product; the vocals are reminiscent of Adult. whilst the synth tones come straight from SPK. Position Parallèle maintain their lightness of touch with “Si je te croise…,” an exquisite work of analogue laden pop. By the looks of things, Új Látásmód Fúzió may be the only artist on the compilation who isn’t French. The Eastern European drops heavy chords and guttural vocals for a dark and powerful piece. The dredging lament of “Roses and Ashes” finishes. Shiny Black Mater reinvents Ring-a-Ring-o’-Roses to a pitched back dirge.
It can be extremely difficult to see past the smoke of the Wave scene. New artists are surreptitious and imprints often clouded, some not even having websites. La Forme Lente, and their Circuit D’Actes compilations, help to navigate the listener towards gleaming aural islands and analogue ambrosia. This third installment has a focus on synthesizers, verging into EBM and Industrial in parts. Ten tracks of addictive, emotional and even grief-laden electronics. A rich and varied assortment of excellence from this French imprint.
Circuit D’Actes 3 is available on La Forme Lente. [Release page]
