Laudanum--Your Place & Time Will Be Mine

Laudanum, the creative output of Frenchman Matthieu Malon, happily releases their second album with Monopsone Records, Your Place and Time Will Be Mine. The album is a revolving door of guest appearances, featuring the likeness of Cavil, T., Angil, Noemie, Laetitia Sheriff, and the list goes on. While the names may be unfamiliar, the bottom line is that each track is completely different from the last. Songs range from haunting softer pieces with Cavil in "Collide," to the bright and catchy "This 80’s-Car" with Noemie, but the songs all hold signs of Malon’s meddling. A heavy electronic influence drips from each song, drifting towards the dark and damp side of the spectrum whenever possible. "Sailor & Bruno" displays this the best, wrapping together Christian Quermalet’s deep British vocals (that sound a little too much like Jack from The Nightmare Before Christmas) and a haunting little techno bass-beat. The entire album flows well, and the diversity among guest artists keeps the songs interesting and fresh. The electronic and techno influences don’t get in the way of attracting non-techno listeners, but is rather an almost unnoticeable foundation, that’s there but not until you realize it. "Perfect," by Malon alone, shows what this artist has to shout about. A catchy beat that’s not quite pop and not quite techno, along with a similarly simple yet memorable vocal line "She’s so perfect / She’s so perfect to me." Your Place and Time Will Be Mine is a strong sophomore effort from Laudanum, and one that’s worth snooping out.

(Published at MusicEmissions.com)