Au Revoir Simone – Still Night, Still Light

Listening to Au Revoir Simone is a bit like early spring. Postal Service-reminiscent tones and backbeats introduce each track continuing with no trace of vocals until full minutes in. In the same way the early spring chill harkens to fairer weather, Au Revoir Simone unfolds slowly with great expectation. They demand a more patient listen than most, rewarding patience with flowery, serene female voices that haunt and calm the way only pure female vocals can.

The latest album of the Au Revoir Simone collection, Still Night, Still Light is perfectly named with a pleasant double meaning to it. Whether the intended meaning of “still” is continuing or unmoving, the album conveys both and benefits from such a contemplative title upfront.

The album itself may seem repetitive at times but is beautiful for it. The repetition highlights the music and vocals creating a full, complete feeling. Listening carefully, I found on more than one occasion, that I knew what word came next. But instead of feeling predictable the repetition creates a sense of familiarity. There is something comforting and mysterious in this music. Au Revoir Simone has managed a wonderful combination of new, unexpected, and memorable. Meditative but light, I amused myself thinking that the opening track sounds something like a modern day Gregorian chant. Yet even that is slightly untrue in that the feeling of Au Revoir Simone is that there is no domed church ceiling (or anything for that matter) to capture their music.

Overall a very serene and well-constructed album. The way the tracks trail off like an afterthought leave expectations filled and peace in its wake.

By Eva Gross