Album Review: Psy'Aviah - Bittersweet (Deluxe Edition) (2022) - Guest Feature by Dmitriy Churilov
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This year we can congratulate Yves Schalke not only on the twentieth anniversary of his project Psy’Aviah, but also on the release of a new album. The album that completes the trilogy conceived by him will be available on April 1st on all streaming platforms. So far, only 4 out of 42 (!) tracks are available for review and your listening pleasure, but judging by them, this album fully continues the theme of two others from the trilogy - “Lightflare” (2018) and “Soul Searching” (2019)
Ever since the release of “Lightflare”, I have noticed a very precise approach to vocal production. While listening, there is no dissonance, the voice perfectly echoes the music. Even by tone, mood, style - it looks like the vocalist is selected for each track a way more more meticulously than an astronaut for an expedition to Mars. One hundred percent hit in every track. The best example “By Myself” (ft. Lofthill) - in the chorus, the voice breaks down on emotions and it fits the beat perfectly.
The same story with “Soul Searching” - variety of styles (from trip-hop to trance) and vocals still incredible. Music becomes more layered, lyrics are even more multifaceted and each track is a mystery - children's puzzle like, when you look at it from different angles, you find something new. Depending on the mood, the company, and even the location, the tracks sound different - in the crowded room a perky beat comes to the fore, but if you listen to the same song being alone, then flawless vocals will be in the foreground.
And going back to the last release - as I said, 4 tracks are available so far on Bandcamp. Only 13 of them belong to the new album, others are from exclusive “Rediscovered (20th Anniversary)” plus unique covers of Yves songs by other electronic scene artists (as Yves said this is a complete reinterpretation of the track in close collaboration with him).
The first track “Can We Make It Rhyme” immediately envelops us with incomparable vocals of Mari Kattman. It sounds like an intimate confession, her voice then fades, then spreads its wings and soars. Сombined with music, it sounds just unreal - genuine emotions overwhelm it and find a response in the accompanying music. I can confidently call it my favorite and her voice is a precious pearl and the main adornment of the entire trilogy. It leads us through the albums like a beacon and for me “Lost at sea”, “Searching” and “Can We Make It Rhyme” form their own trilogy and are a guiding thread through all three albums.
The punkish “Tired” (ft.Addie Nicole) sets the rebel mood from the very first notes and the vocals remind of Lady Gaga (in a good way). The track is full of true emotions, drive and life. Tune is so damn catchy it definitely will become your earworm for days. And Your Life On Hold - Our Common End is a classic rock ballad with raucous vocals reminiscent of Sid Vicious, accompanied by hard rock guitar riffs. You’d better listen by yourself to this husky teasing voice dragging you into a whirlpool of rock, electro and industrial.
And Psy'Aviah vs. Implant “In Silence” - is one of the greatest dark psytrance tracks that I’ve ever heard. Its mixture with electrosound gets you hooked from the very first notes and keeps you on your toes till the end. Listening to it you can easily imagine the darkness of a nightclub, which is dissected by lights - then blinding you, then highlighting the darkness in the corners just like the velvet darkness of the universe twinkling with myriads of stars.
To sum up what I wrote above - if you didn’t listen to the previous parts of the trilogy you definitely should. All albums perfectly complement each other and it really is one. Going on a journey through the back streets of people's souls Yves found something more valuable - he found a key to each of them. This album will not leave anyone indifferent - everyone will find the song that will touch something in their soul and heart.
Text by Dmitriy Churilov
Listen to Psy'Aviah - Bittersweet (Deluxe Edition):
Bandcamp
Spotify
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