This 14-track album sort of retraces the Belgian artist’s music therapy efforts and his emotional ascension from the darkest thoughts towards more joyful moments of enlightenment. While PSY’AVIAH’s sound remains quite focused on his characteristic style range hovering somewhere between synthpop / electropop / triphop melange, with sometimes heavier electronic dance tracks, we clearly perceive the switch of atmosphere and moods from the more tortuous and self-questioning songs, towards more dynamic, shining and positively charged compositions. Compiled across one full length album, these beautiful, sincere and touchy songs make a whole and reveal PSY’AVIAH at his best, expanding his musical spectrum from jazzy trip-hop to electro rockand break beats while staying faithful to his modern electro / EBM roots.
Yves Schelpe is also here perfectly surrounded by carefully selected male and female vocalists who each brilliantly render the poignant intimacy of these lyrics everyone can easily relate to. We first of all have PSY’AVIAH’s award winning live vocalist Marieke Lightband who sets the emotional bar very high with “The great Disconnect”, just like Ellia Bisker and Kyoko Bartsoen (ex-LUNASCAPE) respectively do it on “Aftermath” and “Plan B”. Other highlights are also reached through the collaboration with Michael Evans (MiXE1) who brings PSY’AVIAH closer to a band like MESH as well as the energetic featuring together with KONER. Some other infamous ”usual” partners of crimes are also part of the game again including the unmatchable voice of Mari Kattman, Fallon Nieves,David Chamberlin (ENTRZELLE), as well as the incisive guitar parts signed by Jürgen Brischar of JUNKSISTA and by live member Ben van de Cruys, the meticulous mixing work of Mitia Wexler,the mastering touch of Geert de Wilde (IC 434) and the unique design of Japanese artist Tomoki Haysaka. “Lightflare” starts as a cry for help to progressively turn into a symbol of hope. Rich in sparkling emotions and melodic freshness, this inspiring and shining album is bound to become a classic in its genre and is a golden milestone in PSY’AVIAH’s impressive discography.
Released Early February 2018 by Alfa Matrix.
Track Listing:
01. Lost at Sea (ft. Mari Kattman)
02. Aftermath (ft. Ellia Bisker)
03. The Great Disconnect (ft. Marieke Lightband)
04. Sound of New (ft. Addie Nicole)
05. In the Sound (ft. MiXE1)
06. For Myself (ft. Lofthill)
07. Heavy Heart (ft. Mari Kattman)
08. Reboot Reset Relay (ft. Fallon Nieves)
09. Ghost (ft. David Chamberlin)
10. Lonely Soul (ft. Phoebe Stone)
11. Plan B (ft. Kyoko Baertsoen)
12. Game Changer (ft. MiXE1)
13. Under the Rain (vs. KONER)
14. Mr. Vanity (ft. Fallon Nieves)
English