Genre/Influences:  dream-pop, shoegaze.

Format: Digital, CD, Vinyl. 

Background/Info: VvvV is a French duo hailing from Bordeaux. After a self-titled debut album released in 2016, they late 2019 released “The Wreck”. 

Content: “The Wreck” has a real strong retro connotation, which I think is mainly due to the use of analogue equipment. There’s a cool 80s flavor hanging over the songs, which have been achieved with space-like effects and atmospheres. Some songs are carried by melodic leads. The cadence is rather down tempo-like, which accentuated the evasive sensation of the music with vocals on top. “The Wreck” sounds like the offspring between dream-pop and shoegaze.

+ + + : The 80s touch has something magic and refreshing. The songs are well-crafted and often accomplished with cool melodies. “Unslaved” is a noticeable song for the elevating effect, which has something trance-like.  Another attention grabber is the harder sounding “Wonderland”. This song reveals a perfect twist between punching drum patterns and heavy sound treatments.  

– – – : I regret that the album only features 8 songs. VvvV has a rather accessible sound, but it’s hard to precisely label the album. So it for sure has something of a challenge.

Conclusion: This work is a cool discovery with a very own electro approach based upon vintage elements.

Best songs: “Unslaved”, “Wonderland”, “The Wreck”,  “Mirrors”.

Rate: (7½).

Artist: www.facebook.com/vvvvmusic

Labels: www.metobeach.fr / www.facebook.com/pg/metrobeach  / www.atrdr.net / www.facebook.com/atantreverduroi 

About VvvV

VvvV is the duo of Docteur Bardou Jacquet and Mathieu Mégemont, based in Bordeaux, France. The pair released a self-titled debut album in 2016, mixing dream-pop and shoegaze with analogue equipment, before following it up with “The Wreck” in 2019 on Metro Beach and A Tant Rêver Du Roi.

Inferno Sound Diaries

I have been working for over 30 years with Side-line as the main reviewer. My taste is eclectic, uncoventional and I prefer to look for the pearls, even if the bands are completely unknown, thus staying loyal to the Side-Line philosophy of nurturing new talents.

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