From the opening track where he exclaims “the golden age is over” with a sort of Antony gravitas, French artist Woodkid – the moniker of Yoann Lemoine – has you in the palm of his hands. And that’s before the production kicks in. Trumpets, piano, strings… It’s like something out of the instrumental realm of Australian composer Rob Dougan.
And then come the drums. When single “Run Boy Run” enters, and the angelic strings weave their way through Lemoine’s impressive composition, whatever golden age he was claiming to be lost in the album’s eponymous track was here to be reclaimed through this soaring 14 track release. Though I will digress that when we meet the church choir in “Stabat Mater”, things might have gotten a bit unnecessarily grandiose.
Still, by the time we reach the end – at 48 minutes it’s by no means a short journey – you feel so at home and comfortable with your new musical companion that you can’t help but press play once again. And again.
Though it’s an album by the very sense of the word, designed to be listened to from start to finish, highlight tracks include the energetic and celebratory “The Great Escape”, with those trumpets taking centre stage. The piano led “Boat Song” gives me goosebumps every time I listen to it. “The Shore” has a soaring quality that leaves you breathless and I love the instrumental track “Shadows”. Incredibly evocative and cinematic – as is so much of the record.
A must listen to record that I feel I’ve fallen into very late in the game, but one of those “better late than never” moments. Can only imagine it’s an incredible experience live. Can I nominate him to play the next Heavenly Sounds tour?
Review Score: 9.1 out of 10 
The Golden Age is available now.
