Celluloide-Hexagonal

Artist: Celluloide

CD title: Hexagonal

Label: BOREDOMproduct

Genre: Synthpop

Website: https://www.celluloide.online.fr/

Reviewer: Steve Fearon

Date: 05/02/11

You can buy this album here: https://www.celluloide.online.fr/

Celluloide are a French Synthpop act from Marseilles, and 'Hexagonal' is their latest release on BOREDOMproduct.

Celluloide are very easy to listen to, with a generally quite laid back feel to most tracks, without becoming boring, which is often the key to music that seeks to slow things down.This is helped by the fact that they sing in their native French tongue, which like the music, flows smoothly and with a cool suavity about it.

There are elements of Ladytron, Diorama and Depeche mode in their music, and they really do have an enjoyable pop sound to their music, with each track grooving nicely, whether it be a laid back slow burner or an upbeat 4 minute pop anthem.

'Hexagonal' also has an almost Sci Fi soundtrack feel to it, and wouldn't seem out of place on films like Tron Legacy, Blade Runner or Fifth Element, with each song conjuring images of hover cars and latex suits...

Celluloide have a lovely penchant for 80's synth bass sounds, using them almost exclusively, but they manage to product them in such a way that they do not sound dated or overly retro, and this paired with their excellent use of snappy lead synths reminds one of New Order or The Eurythmics in their heyday.

However, as excellent as these sound are, they are perhaps relied upon too much, with little variation in the leads in particular, which means that after a time, the songs can start to blur together a little, and individual tracks start to lose their identity.

In Summary, I enjoyed this album, its a great late night listen, with enough groove to keep your toes tapping, but with enough ambiance to allow you to relax and get drawn into it.If 'Hexagonal' had been less reliant on a few key sounds, this would be even better, but overall, if you enjoy your New wave and Synth Pop, there is plenty to like here.

7/10 - Recommended Tracks "A Contre temps" & "Les Quatre Coins De L'hexagone"