As one half of the French musical duo Air, Nicolas Godin created dreamy, synthy pop that soundtracked stylised, cult movies like The Virgin Suicides and 10 Things I Hate About You.
Concrete and Glass is nowhere near as sexy as Air’s best records: it’s conceptual rather than atmospheric, precise and finessed to a point. Still, this 10-track record has got a charm — in some part due to a cast of characterful collaborators, used to aplomb by talented Godin.
We Forgot Love features the soulful Kadhja Bonet, whose spell-binding voice harmonises over a deft, moody arrangement, and Hot Chip lead vocalist Alexis Taylor has a stirring cameo on the sweet Catch Yourself Falling.
Other highlights include What Makes Me Think, an unexpected love song: a rich mash-up of the electro and the orchestral.
Technically, Concrete and Glass is accomplished: experimental, complex and eclectic, though what it gains in technical mastery often comes at a cost to its heart. Still, its moments of romance are convincing — those allergic to the more conceptual stuff should bookmark the collaborations and skip the high-synth.
