Une Histoire de DMs avec Bleu is silly and beautiful. I cried twice while listening to it and three more times writing this review. It's not exactly a sad album, just a very sincere one.
The album opens with some soft staticy lofi chords, wavering, with occasional darkness. It grows quite loud, prompting me to adjust my volume, and then drops back into softness. Then we're met with some deep buzzing, swells, and an eventual synth groove at the end of the second track.
When track three, squinty lifestyle begins, the tone changes. Although, maybe this is a bit misleading. The tone changes constantly throughout this track. Randomized synths at one moment, rhythmic techno thumping another, some abrasive ambient in the next, it feels as if I'm scanning through radio stations but I'm in a town that only listens to weird music. Is that an Otamatone solo? I realized I've been squinting for minutes now, very sneaky. How did it do that? Can I live here? I'm reminded of Bill Wurtz, not in sound but in that free association dreamyness.
Track four, better than we are, features a consistent tapping percussion, occasional swells, delicate jazzy synth lines, and softly delivered lyrics. It's beautiful and earnest. I wiped some mysterious water from my eyes while listening (and again while thinking about it as I write this).
Track five starts out with a soft breeze, swirling synths cutting in and out, shimmering bells, and a harpsichord-like arpeggio. Each piece comes in separately like a picture coming into focus. These instruments temporarily drop away to reveal some squeaky percussion and the lyrics begin. They tell the story of a treasured mix CD, now scratched and dearly missed. The delivery is raw and pure.
The next track, continues from the previous. The instruments move more into the background and the vocals are pitched down and slowed. There's a haunting hollowness at times as it descends and breaks down and starts to repeat itself. I cried for the second time (and again hold back tears while writing these words).
The rhythms, lyrics, popping synths, and all such musical features are gone now. Perhaps the mix CD has become totally unplayable. The stereo system featured on the cover art sits silently. Soft static and gentle tones wash in and out like the tides. Gradually the swells grow in prominence before eventually fading again. I'm reminded that the world will continue to be beautiful after I die.