In these pages, Meril Wubslin‘s last album, Alors Quoi, was described as a lingering mesmeric sound that creeps into your psyche and nestles there, snug with its low-key groove. For their fourth album, Faire Ça, the trio, who are based between Belgium and Switzerland, venture into unfamiliar territory, delivering what their Swiss label Les Disques Bongo Joe describes as having the intimacy of blues and folk, the experimentation of post-rock and 1960s minimalism, and the heady production values of dub and hip-hop.
Featuring Christian Garcia-Gaucher (vocals, guitar and synths), Valérie Niederoest (vocals and guitar) and David Costenaro (drums), they are keen to point out that the evolution of their sound is a key part of what they are:
“What unites us, is curiosity and the desire to seek and explore. If we continue to make albums and perform, there will always be evolution. Taking risks – that’s what interests us.”
This inherent itch found them in Kwake Bass’ South London studio, The Room. Born Giles Kwakeulati King-Ashong, the innovative musician, musical director, producer (and a lot more) began drumming at the age of 5, and his fusion of drums and electronic sounds has placed him in high demand. According to the press, the dub influence, though latent in Meril Wubslin, has been brought out by Kwake’s production. They seem to take this further with the suggestion that their appreciation for avant-garde composers such as Steve Reich, Glenn Branca and Terry Riley, plus folk music from Eastern Europe, North Africa and sub-Saharan Africa (“certain traditions that play with trance,” as Christian puts it), informs how the trio arrange rhythm and melody, and pushes them to greater heights on Faire Ça.
Listen to the lead single below, the raw, wiry, fiery album opener, Un Calme.
Faire Ça is released on 1st March. Pre-Order here: https://merilwubslin.bandcamp.com/album/faire-a