Au Revoir Simone : Move in Spectrums (2013)
Members Erika Foster, Annie Hart and Heather D’Angelo are accidental vixens, forming the Brooklyn-based, all-keyboard talent that is Au Revoir Simone. Established in 2003, Au Revoir Simone embodies a soft edge with dream-pop embellishment. The New York natives’ fourth album and latest composite, Move in Spectrums, demonstrates just that.
Move in Spectrums has a heartbeat, and it rattles off in successions as “More Than” slides into the listener’s ear, riding aural waves of ecstasy as rugged synths mingle in accompaniment. Lucid and luminous, the track depicts the the whimsical desire for a connection on both a physical and spiritual level, while pop hooks and psychedelic riffs drive the tune home. Au Revoir Simone continues to tread the funkier, more lighthearted waters of romance in “Gravitron.” “To live a life uncertain can be tough,” the song professes. It’s fun, and it’s carefree, throwing caution to the proverbial wind.
“Let the Night Win” opens with a flourish of pixilated polytones before dulcet tones melt over the tinny keyboard effects. “Is it over?” the voice echoes in question. “I’m still in love with you.” She laments for a moment, admitting, “So, it’s over.” But she is nevertheless resilient. “I’m still in love with you,” she reaffirms. There is no backing down—she can’t. And she won’t. There is something untouchable here that the listener would otherwise dare not touch. It’s something hollowed and intimate and just a little bit dreamlike.
Move in Spectrum is more intricate, more assured and more composed successor of Au Revoir’s past albums, Verses of Comfort, Assurance & Salvation (2005), The bird of Music (2007) and Still Night, Still Night, which—although satisfying—simply do not hold a candle to the trio’s most recent release. Au Revoir Simone owns its feminine slant and matured touch that is as quirky as it is enticing.
