AmartiA – “Daylight Beauty” | Progressive Rock Central.com

AmartiA, was born at the dawn of the new millennium, in France. They released their latest album Daylight Beauty on January 5, 2021.

AmartiA has had the honor of participating in the Raismes Festival, on several occasions and have played as a support band for the likes of: Epica, Agua de Annique, Stream of Passion, Pendragon and more recently, Klone.

The band is made up of members: Cyril Carrette, on keyboards and piano; Quentin Daumal, on drums; Sébastien Descarpentries, on bass, guitars and keyboards; Amandine Duwooz, on lead vocals; and Vincent Vercaigne, on guitars and backing vocals.

Daylight Beauty was mixed and mastered by Bruno Levesque.

This is an excellent album full of great progressive rock music and some of the best female vocals in progressive rock from Amandine Duwooz. No wonder Clive Nolan has chosen her to sing in his new major project, Song of the Wildlands. That will be another great project to listen to in the future.

But for now, we will examine the magnificence of Daylight Beauty. Every song on this album is solid progressive rock. However, nothing really sets this band apart from others in the progressive genre, other than Duwooz’s vocals. She reaches the high notes as well as Kate Bush, and has more of a demur quality to her delivery, like Kate. The music is perfectly delivered and orchestrated, but they just seem to be missing something to kick them into the top level of progressive rock.

The album highlights for Daylight Beauty, include: “Child’s Eye”, which has a Kate Bush – like feel and writing to it. The piano is wonderful, accompanying Amandine Duwooz. She sings, “Trying to get away from this modern world. Far from any temporal pressure. Trying to share with you, what’s in my head and mind”. Yes, we all want that time to reflect and discuss, that we have missed during this pandemic. The acoustic guitar and bass solo, near the song’s end are examples of what can help set this band apart. A nice, breezy song that looks ahead to a time of peace.

“Cloud 9”, is another, solid, vocals – driven track with a great beat. “Dancing Light”, has some awesome electric guitar soloing and bass work. “In Waves”, just flows with cool bass waves and great guitar work. The keyboards are spectacular. It is my favorite track on the album. The drumming is also memorable. Too short, but wonderful while it lasts.

“The Journey”, is the longest track on the album, and a formidable forum for some of Amandine Duwooz’s sweetest vocals. The acoustic guitar and keyboards deliver a solid beat and rhythm for this trip.

“Lose Control”, has some really cool atmospherics, drums and keyboards at its opening. Amandine Duwooz’s most dynamic vocals are here, and one of the best beats on the album. Probably my favorite song. But it bounces back and forth between this and “Waves”.

“Please Tell Me’, is another great album highlight, especially Amandine Duwooz’s vocals.

This is a solid progressive rock album for 2021. Definitely I recommend this album. It is worthy. How Clive Nolan enhances Amandine Duwooz’s vocals, or helps her stand out from the crowd, will be interesting to hear on the Song of the Wildlands project. It may help lift her and this band’s career higher. I look forward to more from AmartiA in the future.

Track List