Exquise Esquisse - Dans Le Noir [Ominous Recordings - 2020]Dans Le Noir is release number four from Exquise Esquisse - one of the more recent/active walled noise projects of French female noise maker Charlotte Thevenin-Nikoliæ - the release was either C60( which is sadly sold out), or digital download( which is still available) The release appeared in June of this year on Swedish label Ominous Recordings, which has put out both walled, and general noise matter. The tape appeared in an edition of twenty-four copies- the clear black shelled tape comes in a moodily monochrome picture of a lengthy subterranean tunnel that’s lit by a line of single light bulbs. So simply yet atmospherically effective bit of artwork.
The two sides here feature a track apiece, and the sound of each is very much bothersome ‘n’ grinding wall matter- that nice boars into one's head with its often bass bound drilling intensity. First up is "Personne Ne Peut Nous Voir"- here we find a mixture of deep chugging judder, & gritty–at- times-spitting ‘n’ spatting static- which is edged with some sub-tone detail like distant snaps, clicks & rattles. It feels akin to walking through a tunnel furnace at full power- as the flames lick your skin, and cook your nostrils. The whole thing is pretty firm & set in its attack, though from time to time I’m sure I can detect slightly wayward layer shifts- though these never disturb the thick & punishing equilibrium of the wall.
Flipping over the cassette and we have "Personne Ne Peut Nous Entendre"- here we find a slightly more pacy blend of billowing bass bound drone, and constant cluttering ‘n’ rattling descent- with some winding & wiry grain bound static texturing detail. Where the first side felt roasting & flaming in it's attack- this sides 'wall' feels a lot more battering & buffeting in its attack, as if ones trying to make their way along a constantly buzzy ‘n’ racing underground tram/ train lane- as one body is shaken by the roar of passing carriages. At points it feels like the pace is becoming slowed & more muddy- but I think this is a sonic allusion, and in reality, the whole thing is relatively set in its attack….though I’m sure in the last few minutes we do get some very nastily slurred & hacking bass tone come into play,
It’s certainly great to have new wall work from Charlotte, as it must easily be a year or maybe two since I’ve heard any new from her. If you dig crushing & unrelenting dense walled noise, then you’ll be needing to check out Dans Le Noir as she most certainly severs up two head-grinding yet entrancing walls here. Roger Batty
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