The world of Nvage is brightening up with the release of its first EP.
Soberly entitled NVAGE, it was self-produced by its creators, Clément Decuypere (vocals/bass) and Jérémy Hourdoir (drums) from their native Seine et Marne.
We begin with Savior and the relatively ominous sounds of Clément’s bass, which at first sounds quite soothing, then Jérémy‘s effects, samples and hits appear, followed by the bassist’s howls. The mix takes us by surprise and develops a palpable heaviness that we feel almost constantly thanks to the jerky riffs that sometimes temporarily disappear to highlight the hazy vocals, then In There oppresses us with a similar approach from which a few touches of clear vocals escape. The drums remain rather discreet in the background, coupling with a rather strange approach to the strings, but the duo join forces on the heavy passages and then calm down with Games and its hypnotic quietness that inhabits the first moments of the track before it in turn begins to ignite. The whole track is tinged with this anguishing contrast, as on the introduction to Come Alive, which is just waiting to explode with a saving saturation where the sound becomes much more powerful. A touch of madness can be heard in some parts, but Blind Eye once again eases the minds with its heady dissonance and gentle passages, but more scathing harmonics are still to be found before moving on to the abrasive Haunted, which crushes us with all its weight before literally bewitching us with its dark, psychedelic-influenced approach that eventually fades out on its own.
Nvage has many roots, but the duo have succeeded in making their first EP an extremely coherent and fluid blend. Hardly accessible but extremely rich, it will easily find its audience among fans of airy heaviness!
95/100