Chateauvallon:Chevreuil

Chateauvallon
Label: Gordz

Genre: Math-rock

Rating: 9.1/10

Like a sexy bikini my foot: Nantes, France’s Chevreuil are alluring like only a French duet can be. But don’t be mistaken, this is not your late-90s lounge-obsessed French duet or your early millennial synthgazing French duet (à la Air and M83, as it were).

Instead, the mysterious Tony C. (guitar and loopwork) and his cohort Julien F. (percussion) craft math-rock in the vein of French countrymen Cheval de Frise; stateside, those familiar with Battles will take a great liking to the arrangements the duo create. A simple, quaint electronic intro “Multipliance” leads into the great epic “Turbofonte,” a tremendous work that is further bolstered by the follow-up “Bastogne.” The band sounds bigger than they are, and in practice Chevreuil coyly create loops and melodies through a series of four different amplifiers to ensure the songs stunningly evolve and expand beyond expectation. Originally released in 2003, the US sees this corker for the first time with some improved artwork and some fine-tuning by Steve Albini.

The tension rarely ceases and though distortion is marginalized and lyrics are nonexistent, there is absolutely no need for it: What Chevreuil is doing is making music for a generation disenfranchised by the breakup of Don Caballero and the advent of Freedom Fries. If you are among the legions, this album should be nothing less than de rigueur: Pick up “Chateauvallon” and bask in its cinematic savoir-faire. You’ll be glad you did.

Main Page