Esthesis – The Awakening (2020)
Esthesis’ The Awakening is a captivating album pulls you in right from the start with its elegant classical piano, intricately woven keyboard atmospheres, and those Floydian space-guitar vibes that seem to soar and glide effortlessly. The vocals, tinged with melancholy, add a haunting beauty to the mix.
“Downstream” kicks off the album with a sprawling 16-minute opus that traverses various moods, from atmospheric and psychedelic soundscapes to intense prog rock crescendos. It’s utterly mesmerizing, although I could do without the brief hard rock riffs that feel out of place and dilute the sophistication of the piece.
“No Soul to Sell” opens with an electric piano that captivates instantly, layered with trip-hop beats and distant, ethereal vocals. The mysterious atmosphere is disrupted by a shift to hard rock, which doesn’t quite hit the mark for me. Thankfully, after four minutes, the track transforms into a spellbinding mix of serene guitars, celestial Mellotron, and electric piano that feels otherworldly.
“High Tide” stands out with its cinematic flair, building up to an epic guitar climax that is nothing short of exhilarating.
“Chameleon” shines with its acoustic guitar work, marvelous organ layers, and an extended, stellar synth solo that leaves you in awe.
“The Awakening,” the title track, begins with the sound of thunderstorms and ominous keyboards, setting a dreamy and fascinating tone that pulls you deeper into Esthesis’ creative world.
“Still Far to Go” starts off with melancholic vocals and acoustic piano, gradually building into a lush arrangement of spacey guitars and another exceptional progressive rock synth solo.
The album closes with a cheerful, trance-infused version of “Still Far to Go” known as the “Trip Hop Version,” which is a delightful, highly enjoyable reinterpretation of the earlier track.
Esthesis is a French progressive rock/art rock band based in Toulouse. Founded and led by multi-instrumentalist Aurélien Goude (music, lyrics, vocals, keyboards, guitars, bass), the lineup also includes Marc Anguill (bass), Arnaud Nicolau (drums), Rémi Geyer (lead guitar), and Mathilde Collet (backing vocals). Esthesis’s music and identity draw from various musical influences, featuring powerful and contrasting melodies with a modern sound.
Their debut EP, Raising Hands sold out in 2019. In November 2020, Esthesis released their first full-length album, The Awakening, which was named “Best Band of the Year” by readers of the British magazine Prog.
The second album, “Watching Worlds Collide,” was released on CD, digital, and streaming platforms in August 2022 through Misty Tones. In 2023, it became available in a deluxe double vinyl edition.
Buy The Awakening.