ALIVE (vinyl)

Description

'Alive' is the debut album by MELLANO SOYOC, a duo consisting of guitarist Olivier Mellano, a composer known for his bold musical experimentations (Brendan Perry & the Bagad de Cesson Sévigné 'No Land', BAUM 'ici-bas' with the melodies of Gabriel Fauré, cinema concerts...), and Mona Soyoc, the iconic singer of Kas Product. They barely knew each other when the desire to play together naturally emerged. They met in Paris one winter day in 2019 at Studio Caverne with Nico Sacco for a first recording session. The foundations of a debut album were laid. Completed in 2021, the opus, recorded in Brittany by Romain Baousson, was mixed and mastered by Nicolas Dick at 'Le Puits Sonore' studio in Marseille. The sound design, lyrics (Mona Soyoc), and arrangements (Olivier Mellano) of the album were entirely created by the artists. On this recording, the duo is augmented by the drums of the excellent Valentina Magaletti, with whom Olivier Mellano has a long-standing collaboration. Olivier Mellano's guitar and Mona Soyoc's voice, united like two molten sound materials, pay little heed to conventions. The raw first tracks, created in just a few hours, aim solely for the intensity of the moment. Their two universes collide, provoke, and brush against each other. Mona Soyoc readily allows herself to be carried by Olivier Mellano's powerful and profound guitars. Tracks alternate between urgency and film noir, abstract worlds and a soft, mysterious atmosphere. What remains is a icy fire that irresistibly sweeps you away. "Totally enchanting" --- ROLLING STONE ---. "Instinctive and sensitive" --- PERSONA---. "After the passing of Spatsz, with whom she formed KaS Product, Mona Soyoc has found a new partner, the guitarist, Olivier Mellano. The first fruit of their artistic union is truly powerful. More soon." --- LIBÉRATION --- . "...Mona is more bewitching than ever, the atmospheres are rich, romantic, sulfurous, and the ambiances meticulously crafted. (...) Alive and kicking" --- SONGAZINE --- .