The debut album from French duo Pretty Soily Company - Olivier Bonneau and Henri Vaugrand - arrives with a confident blend of vintage psych-pop, progressive rock, and artful songwriting. The album is a six-track journey that feels both familiar and fresh, drawing on influences from The Beatles and Pink Floyd to Pendragon and early Genesis, while maintaining a distinct voice. The album opens with We Reverse, a track that immediately sets the tone with retro organ textures, melodic bass lines, and layered vocal harmonies. There's a clear nod to the melodic sensibilities of 10cc, but the arrangement is more adventurous, with subtle funk inflections and a guitar lead that adds emotional weight. Upside Down continues in a similar vein, with pastoral acoustic guitar and a bass melody that could have been lifted from a late-60s. The vocal phrasing and harmonies are well crafted, and the track builds toward a more psychedelic climax, supported by evolving keyboard textures. Tribal Crimes is arguably the album's most unique piece. Rhythmically driven and lyrically pointed. The drum groove is tight and insistent, anchoring a vocal line. The guitar solo in the final minute is particularly expressive, closing the track with a sense of emotional release. Get Out Of Here shifts the mood slightly, offering a sunnier groove and a more direct vocal delivery. The arrangement is lighter but still detailed, with catchy melodic hooks and a rhythmic pulse that keeps the energy high. The expansive In the Shade, unfolds slowly, revealing layers of sonic detail. The duo's multi-instrumental approach is on full display here, with synths, acoustic textures, and ambient effects blending into a gently immersive soundscape. The 22-minute suite A Scent Of Ohelo Berry, wraps up the album. This extended piece explores a broader palette, from symphonic prog to ambient passages, with references to classic prog acts like Yes and King Crimson. Despite its length and stylistic range, the suite remains coherent, thanks to strong thematic development and careful pacing. Pretty Soily Company's debut is a well-crafted and musically rich album that balances nostalgia with originality, although the vocals do take a couple of listens to truly appreciate. The production is warm and detailed, the performances are confident, and the songwriting is consistently engaging. For fans of melodic prog with a psych-pop twist, this is a release worth exploring. ***+ David Carswell Where to buy? |
