ALBUM REVIEW: Martha – BLVL

Reaching out from the depths of the Paris underground, the mysterious French quartet BLVL don their glittered masks and reach toward the prospect of international attention with the release of their debut full-length album Martha. Over these ten tracks, BLVL intertwine surreal emotional synths with vocals that reach melodic highs and gloomy lows to create a finished product that is dynamic and upbeat while also hitting moments that are more solemn and gothic. Their blend of electronic, indie-tinged post-rock is at times familiar and at other times strikingly individual, cherry-picking elements from their influences and competently forming them into a daring and massive-sounding debut.

Beginning with the opening synth swells of Luperci City, it becomes immediately apparent that BLVL are aiming high. As far as album openers go, the powerful bass and stomp of the drums on this track sets the tone of the album well and provides an exhilarating dose of electronic bliss. While this track gives an early impression of the level that BLVL are operating on, things change gear when it comes to the singles that they selected in the run-up to Martha’s release. The 360 Holes Bird is pure DEPECHE MODE, taking a modern slant on the blueprint the 80s dark electronic masterminds perfected during the Black Celebration-era. Packed with brooding verses and an enormous chorus, it’s but one moment of brilliance among a tight and well-crafted set of tracks.

Only time will tell regarding the impact that Lion’s Claw will have, but it’s hard to view it as anything less than the beginning of something for BLVL. It’s a massive track in several regards, merging the dark-electronic vitality of DRAB MAJESTY with the radio friendly scope of EDITORS into one of the most energetic and catchy rock songs of the year. While the soulful spirit of this track carries through Martha, none dare to match the energy of Lion’s Claw.

The succeeding tracks A Night With The Devilfish and Dogs vs Foxes both experiment with modulated vocals to mixed results, with the former being the most interesting of the pair. While much of the record skews towards more maudlin tones, Black Widow’s Addiction is a bright and vibrant effort that still feels tonally consistent amongst the darker moments of the album, at times straying close to the later electronic-inspired efforts of SNOW PATROL. The Serpentine Song remains on a similar path, initially veering off for more vulnerable and introspective verses before hitting the catchy chorus that disguises the melancholic force underpinning it.

There is an unmistakable duality throughout this album, which is full of pop-laden hooks but with a gothic soul. The strength of this release from BLVL lies in their ability to balance their boundless energy and their funereal elegance, giving themselves the space to court radio attention while continuing to perch themselves on the verge of bleakness. BLVL don’t shy away from the darkness of their image and their heritage in the Paris rock and metal scene with Martha, but they also refuse to deprive themselves of their natural ability to create solid indie-rock tracks.

Rating: 8/10

Martha is set for release on October 27th via P3P6 Label.

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