A debut that spirals through the psyche like a Möbius strip of melody and madness—Homme's Ma Vie En Théorèmes is a French-language prog-rock fever dream that's as heady as it is heartfelt. Let's start with the title: Ma Vie En Théorèmes—"My Life in Theorems." That's not just a clever turn of phrase; it's a mission statement. Homme, a French quartet led by bassist-vocalist Chris Massol, dives into the existential soup with a ladle carved from angst and algebra. This is a record obsessed with the architecture of being—where every track feels like a proof, a paradox, or a philosophical dead-end scribbled in eyeliner on a bathroom mirror. The lyrics (all in French, and all the better for it) wrestle with power, identity, and the dissonance between ideals and reality. Even if your French is rustier than a vintage Rickenbacker, the emotional payload is unmistakable. Musically, Homme operates in a liminal space between visceral alt-rock and poetic prog. Think Noir Désir's snarl filtered through the melodic sensibility of early Porcupine Tree, with a dash of Ange's theatricality and the brooding pulse of Thiefaine. The guitars—courtesy of Arthur Delevirg and JP Mendez—don't just shimmer, they seethe. There's a wiry tension in the riffs, a sense that they might snap and lash out at any moment. Drummer Jacques Anoufa keeps things tight but never sterile, often opting for jazzy brushwork or martial snare rolls that elevate the drama without tipping into bombast. Vocally, some of the tracks, especially the title track, Massol's delivery reminds me of Serge Brideau of Les Hôtesses d'Hilaire. Homme's debut is a rare beast: intellectually ambitious without being pretentious, emotionally raw without melodrama. It's a record that invites you to get lost in its labyrinth, only to find yourself staring back from the center, changed. If you like your prog with a poetic snarl and a philosophical bent, Ma Vie En Théorèmes is well worth decoding. Ma Vie En Théorèmes is not an easy listen — it does not offer comfort or escape. Instead it demands attention, vulnerability, and reflection. But for a listener willing to engage — to lean into its shadows, to follow its recurring motifs and ambiguous harmonies — the album rewards with subtle beauty, emotional weight, and psychological insight. ***+ David Carswell Where to buy? |
