Another theatrical set of lugubrious songs from French player Laurent Saïet.
The Last Man Before Dawn (trAce label trAce 060) is credited to himself and “Guests”, referring to the various outside vocalists who were invited to bring their skills to the party, and indeed even compose their own lyrics for each of the dark electro-pop anthems already laid down in the studio by Saïet with his keyboards, drum machines, strings, mellotron, and guitars. The singer-songwriter list includes Melanie Menu, Mika Pusse, Theo Hakola, Ben Ritter, and others, plus notable French instrumentalists Quentin Rollet, Paul Percheron and veteran progster Thierry Müller enthread their improvisatory laces into this fine boot in the shoe salon.
With its collage artworks (also by Saïet) of nudes, doting couples, animals and large lips, it might be possible to read The Last Man Before Dawn as a post-modern album of torch songs and romantic ditties, except our knowing French genius realises there’s very little currency left in these devalued old-school forms of expression, and instead we get an album of alienation and disillusionment, heavily shrouded in irony. Even so, there’s an undercurrent of low-rent surrealism, Film Noir snapshots, and dreamlike atmospheres to enjoy, even if one sometimes wishes for a shade more engagement or passion from the guest singers, most of whom have already succumbed to despair even before the microphone is switched on.
Many of the same talents appeared on 2021’s After The Wave, a much more histrionic and unhinged set than today’s offering, which feels somehow tame in comparison. (10/06/2024)