ABIGAIL HUNT reviews Eyes, the debut album from musician Vanessa Bedoret.
Released on International Women’s Day 2024, Vanessa Bedoret’s debut album Eyes is a mesmerising thirty-five-minute odyssey through ethereal soundscapes and emotional complexities. The London-based French violist, vocalist, and composer has crafted a work that defies easy categorisation, blending her classical roots with avant-garde electronic elements to create a unique sensory experience.
Bedoret weaves a sonic tapestry that is both tempting and elusive, with a narrative that entices without the need for rigid structures. Bedoret’s technical mastery as a violist is evident throughout the album, particularly on the title track “Eyes”. Here, sparse and intimate violin lines gradually evolve into layered harmonies that convey both longing and introspection. The piece showcases her ability to balance technical precision with emotional depth, a hallmark of her classical training. While much of the album leans into soothing, melodic atmospheres, Bedoret is unafraid to disrupt this serenity. Tracks like “1/2” take a bold turn into fragmented techno rhythms and metallic textures, demonstrating her versatility and willingness to explore contrasting sonic territories.
This willingness to experiment extends to Bedoret’s use of field recordings and vocal elements, which play a significant role in shaping the album’s unique character. On “Pas”, for instance, birdsong is interwoven with choral harmonies and pulsating strings, evoking both nostalgia for pastoral landscapes and the surrealism of memory. These organic sounds are seamlessly blended with electronic elements, creating a dialogue between the natural world and innovative sound design.
The cinematic quality of Bedoret’s compositions is particularly striking, with each track unfolding like a self-contained scene within a larger, interconnected narrative. On “Choice”, delicate ambient tones set a serene opening before giving way to darker electronic textures, evoking a poignant sense of transition and the tension of uncertainty. Meanwhile, the closing track “Eternal” masterfully encapsulates the album’s emotional breadth. Its haunting yet soothing melodic tones linger long after the final note, leaving listeners suspended between tranquillity and unease.
This ability to evoke vivid emotional and narrative landscapes speaks to Bedoret’s unique artistic vision. Her compositions seamlessly bridge personal history with innovative sound design, weaving together classical virtuosity, electronic experimentation, and environmental soundscapes into a cohesive whole. Each track builds upon the last, creating a rich tapestry of sound and emotion that demands to be experienced in its entirety.
In crafting this remarkable debut, Bedoret has not only demonstrated her technical brilliance but has also established a distinctive voice in contemporary music; one that transcends the boundaries between classical and electronic genres while remaining uniquely her own.
If you’re a fan of A.S.O, CTM, Astrid Sonne or Bianca Scout, be sure to give it a listen.
Featured image courtesy of Buster Grey.
