After releasing what we thought was his debut last year, Raycord decided to unveil his undiscovered true debut that he made himself back in 2007. L’Hiver Blanc, or ‘White Winter,’ is Raycord’s early sounds and expressive motives in music. The album encompasses a chilling soundscape as Raycord attempted to portray the calming, although sometimes suppressing winter that blanketed his surroundings. Through halcyon ambiance and conversely disconsolate vibes, L’Hiver Blanc shies from run-of-the-mill trip-hop to venture into a world of conceptual instrumental music, much more complex than everyday “beats.”
Pensive notes of jazz permeate through layers of bass, percussion, ambiance and more. Whether through swaying jazz beats or horns cascading somber, honey-thick harmonies amid the arrays of resplendent auras. A dream-like spell is cast upon the listener as songs like “Beki” and “Slow J” play lullaby-worthy melodies. As most of the album is peaceful in taste, much more adventurous and energized productions make way for praise-worthy creations.
“Jamjazz” is probably the most upbeat song on L’Hiver Blanc. An old rag-time piano loop plays out as a shimmer of vinyl static stays resonant behind skipping drums and chiming cymbal rides. “Ludwig #2” follow suit in this similar pattern of jazzy elegance, although, the mood on this piece is decreased drastically and falls in line more with the other songs featured on this placid album.
The other notable category of sound stylings on this album encompass songs like “Vio” – a prime example of this other category. Mystical darkness embodies the vibe of this song, as well as others and enchants like journeying into a dark cave to find the fountain of youth. There’s a certain magical element that graces the very fringes of these melodies that pulls you further into the musical world of Raycord.
If there’s anything we can learn from Raycord’s L’Hiver Blanc it is two things: One, that Raycord was born with a natural gift to make music; and, Two: no matter with or without words, instrumental music spanning across any and all genres can create a conceptual portrayal of life, the world, nature, a person, or anything. L’Hiver Blanc may be a small set of “beats” upon first glance, but further listening proves that it is so much more than that. Yes, you may begin to trance due to the airy and laid-back accompaniements, but if you engage yourself in a full-bodied listening experience, you can truly enjoy the sophisticated and developed musical productions of Raycord and bask yourself in the bitter, albeit beautifully condemning cold that sets the stage for the sounds on L’Hiver Blanc.
6.5/10
