‘Mortal Prophets – French Summer’ is a minimal, psychedelic, cinematic soundscape that takes you to the most exotic, serene places in your mind.
Mortal Prophets is the brainchild of John Beckmann. ‘French Summer’ is the title track from his latest album, which is a stunning opus of dreamy, hazy piano melodies that also feature minimal instrumentation, glitchy synth effects, and sultry vocals from Anaïs de Nerval. This sounds like an epic collaboration between Air & Daft Punk! There’s a compelling emotional energy hidden between the notes, and each time you listen to this, you get a little closer to understanding it.
The track begins with this soulful piano melody that lures you in. Ethereal backing vocals set the stage for mystery, intrigue. Synth effects glitch, and a slick beat kicks into action. Then comes Anais’s whispered French vocals, soft, urgent, and irresistible. The way this track transitions and blends elements is quite extraordinary. Around the two-minute mark, a deeply evocative violin enters, elevating the intense euphoric, yet also melancholic feeling. It’s like something you would expect to hear as you float to the heavenly gates. As quickly as it began, it ended. Leaving behind a hypnotised, pleasantly bewildered state.
‘Mortal Prophets – French Summer’ drips with panache and finesse. Everything about it is elegant and polished. This is a band that really knows how to create a sonic atmosphere, shape it, maintain it, and elevate it as they see fit. If there ever were a museum, a Louvre for fine music, this would earn a prominent space in there.
This summer, vacation with ‘Mortal Prophets – French Summer’. It makes everything feel so much better.
