Paradoxe – Paradoxe (Arpaviva) – A duo, Paris-based Marc Parazon and Romain Beauchef, the two of them bring together their multifaceted electro-experimental sound with a new self-titled album. Paradoxe is a warm album, a full-bodied set of experimental pieces, textures, spoken word, a touch of experimental Scott Walker-ish opera, hints of glitch revolving around welcoming electronica, reverential church-flavoured organic keyboard depth…

“Paradoxe’s approach to sound involves utilizing obsolete audio tools, outdated equipment, magnetic tape, and no computers during live performances. They bring new and inventive sonic possibilities to audiences. Audiences will find influences ranging from Steve Reich to György Ligeti and electronic music composers Rioji Ikeda and Carsten Nicolai”.

Here on this thirty-four minute album, an album that feels longer than it actually is,  Paradoxe bring together a diverse musical palette – flowing classical warmth, keyboard organicness, a occasional side serving of crunchy noise that adds to the experimental soundscape, spoken word both in English and French. We’re told both artists bring their “contrasting musical sensibilities to the table, resulting in music crafted through their competing creative processes” and that as well as making fine albums like this one, Paradoxe also create sonic installations for galleries, “keeping with Arpaviva’s emphasis on working  with artists who blend sound and musical performance with visual art”.

Romain Beauchef is a classically trained pianist and versatile musician. His performances span repertoires, from baroque music to generative improvisation. Marc Parazon is a Paris-based composer, sound artist, and sound engineer known for his sound creation, art installations, and stage performances. There’s something just a little more to what they do, a little more depth, substance, something a little deeper that most of the sound art flavoured experimentation that comes our way (and we do get way way too much of it, in can at times be overwhelming). This is an ever evolving album, the colour continually changing without it ever being obvious, there’s an attention holding flow, Nothing feels like it has been left to chance although chance may be a very real element here, the improvised moments feel focused, considered, actually, are they improvised, it is delightfully difficult to tell what is composed and what might be improvised. 

This is a very easy album, a complex album, a very clever piece of art (or pieces of art) an album that is easy to enjoy, to go with, to flow with, a rewarding piece of serious contemporary art     

Arpaviva / Bandcamp