The opening stanzas of The Golden Age are immediately reminiscent of the work of Antony Hegart. A hollow, fragile voice sings hesitantly over a simple piano part. The melody, the lyrics and the orchestral setting are full of melancholy. But the thought of Antony only recurs on this album occasionally, because already during the first song the true identity of Yoann Lemoin (as Woodkid is actually
… called) emerges. Where Antony opts for serenity, the French goes for big uplifting rhythms, abrasive synthesizers, strange samples and moderately optimistic lyrics. Everything is richly provided with strings and wind instruments, which ensure a consistent sound. Yoann Lemoin is much more than a talented musician. He is trained as an illustrator, but made his breakthrough as a director of video clips (he directed clips for Katy Perry and Lana Del Rey). The Golden Age is just as versatile as its maker, but, thanks to the dozens of musicians who are all neatly listed in the booklet, it sounds like a solid album. An album that deserves to become a classic. (HF)more
