“Turbo Tonnerre” is the latest release from WaleM and as always the band has proved that complex arrangements do not mean that the listener cannot be transported to a whole other world through sound. The title track of the EP is “Turbo Tonnerre” which has an aggressive and icy atmosphere for the inclusion of the baritone sax. This instrument enhances the sound, and brings value in the overall perception, that WaleM is not a one-dimensional act, but has potential for growth and complexity.
The EP begins with “(Odd) Perspective” with baritone sax melodies being central as they play out the song, supported by bass and drums. The first song in the album serves as a general introduction to WaleM’s music and their prowess in manipulating instrumental patterns with sundry melodies. This is succeeded with “Black Midi”, which continues to engage the listeners due to the changes in aspects of style and rhythm. This changes sometimes to a fast beat and then slows down to a bit calm tune.
The title track, Turbo Tonnerre, stands out best and deserves credit for mosaical, atmospheric, and theatrical qualities. From the soft and slow crescendo to the oscillations of a loud and bright sound the music unloads a pressure that would make one listen with suspense. There is a lot of distortion heard loud and clear in the form of aggressive, dark riffs filled with power for the senses and grandiose bass tunes accompanied by saxophone passages that drew the listener in. The vocal is phenomenal, offering the song a new dimension that makes the whole track even more engaging.
The last song of the EP is “RTFM”, which is noticeably set in colder and more dramatic tones. Starting with this song, WaleM also broadens the musical layer: measures and harmonies become more complex and hint at the upcoming level of the musician’s skill. A complex work of arts, the layers and harmonies all throughout the entire EP prove how this band has only grown and creatively developed further, giving listeners an experience that is not only multidimensional but progressive as well.
As far as the style is concerned, it covers various genres, such as rock, modern prog, funk, soul, electro, and Afro- Caribbean, and this can be attributed to WaleM. These they have introduced as ‘Turbo Rock Prog’ with complex creations, which have their sounds rich with the band’s different influences. The solitary virtue of every part of “Turbo Tonnerre” is that it has its own mature theme, and therefore, lends listeners to the sound.
Turbo Tonnerre is a lovely musical hurricane, a vivid spectacle that does not leave a spectator indifferent. Be it in the prolonged instrumental sections and guitar solos or in orchestral bridges and saxophone interludes or such, which regardless of where and how it is applied to, harks to pure musicality in its raw and alive form, a spirit that rules supreme in WaleM’s cooperative approach and flexible roster.
This EP is recommended to anyone out there looking for that next big step in something fresh and complex.
