Despite having a reputable family name and two previous album releases behind her, it has taken Charlotte Gainsbourg teaming up with an American virtuoso to get her music recognised by UK audiences. Beck has produced her latest albumIRM and the evident influence he has had on her style and the subsequent recognition this has earnt has resulted in her gearing up for her first ever UK date at the end of the month, in support of the release.
Time of the Assassins is the second single off the album and showcases a blend of both smooth French and melodramatic American sounds. Anyone worried about not being able to understand Charlotte’s vocals due to her nationality will find their concerns unfounded, as she sings in perfectly fluent English — and the slight accent that tinges her songs proves charming rather than incomprehensible.
The track opens with a simple guitar acoustic and Gainsbourg’s sultry, dreamy vocals. The simplicity of it all feels positively provincial, and it is easy to be transported away to the depths of the French countryside as she sings tacitly to herself in a field. At some points the vocals are almost whispered, as if she doesn’t want to disturb the stillness around her, and at the same time remaining inconspicuous to the hunters she sings about.
The chorus sees the tone pick up slightly though, with more passionately driven vocals and the introduction of keys and drums. Albeit, these additions are still relatively soft and in keeping with the ambience of the song, but the slight electro edge to the keys which continue into the subsequent verses are slightly resonant of Beck’s more kooky and versatile style.
The song finishes rather abruptly with a couple of notes plucked on the guitar and doesn’t quite fit with the overall easy-flowing feel of the track. It seems as though the duo weren’t sure how to round off proceedings, and as a result the entire thing appears slightly incomplete; especially as the whole song’s run time only clocks in at two and a half minutes anyway. It’s an undeniably beautiful track but the dream-like essence to it makes it feel slightly unsubstantial at times. The first single off IRM, Heaven Can Wait in comparison perfectly shows off the brilliance of the Beck/Gainsbourg pairing, but unfortunately Time of the Assassins doesn’t quite do them enough justice.
This review was originally posted on www.culturedeluxe.com
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