Ariettes oubliées...


Ariettes oubliées... is the second full-length album by Les Discrets, released in 2012 by Prophecy Productions. "Ariettes oubliées... I: Je Devine à travers un murmure..." was released as a music video directed by Audrey Hadorn.
WWW Official Site

Musical style

Ariettes oubliées... is categorised as a post-metal, shoegaze and post-rock record with elements of gothic pop and black metal. The mood of the album ranges from bright and hopeful to mysterious and bleak, emphasizing delicacy, restraint, and atmosphere over aggression or shock.
Compared to the band's debut album, Septembre et ses dernières pensées, Ariettes oubliées... presents a denser and more cohesive sound. According to the frontman Fursy Teyssier, the songwriting process was more focused and spontaneous, with a clearer understanding of the desired atmosphere and concept. While the debut album was composed over the course of seven years, Ariettes oubliées... was written in two, resulting in a more polished and consistent output. Nevertheless, the reviewer of Sputnikmusic viewed the album as more reserved and less dynamic than its predecessor, with a perceived lack of "exhilarating details" and a reduced emphasis on metal influences.
Instrumentation on the album includes a prominent use of acoustic guitar, which interacts with electric guitar textures to create a contrast between warmth and coldness. The ebow was used on "La Traversée" to produce an otherworldly quality, though Teyssier noted its potential to detract from musical personality if overused. Vocal performances are understated, with Teyssier's voice mixed low and blurred into the instrumentation. He described his vocal style as expressive rather than conventionally beautiful, intended to convey meaning rather than dominate the soundscape. Audrey Hadorn contributed with the breathy, poetic vocals, and drummer Winterhalter's performance was praised for its nuance, though Teyssier expressed some dissatisfaction with the drum mix due to technical issues during tracking.

Personnel

; Les Discrets
; Additional musicians
  • Gianluca Divirgilio – vocals in "Ariettes oubliées... II: Il Pleure dans mon cœur..."