Darkel (Astralwerks)
By Trey Perkins
Friday. Dec 01, 12:55 AM
One half of Air, but just as good.

Darkel is the alter ego of Jean Benoit Dunckel, who is one-half of Air. If you didn’t know any better, a first listen would induce the following reaction: “Eff this, I’ll stick with Air. What a rip-off!” Close, but no cigar. As always, first listens obscure deeper and more detailed reactions. Like Air, Darkel maintains that retro French synth-pop attitude. I remember writing a review of Stereolab and making a similar point. The only difference is that Dunckel, like Air, integrates retro psyche-rock with IDM and electronica sensibilities. It’s the perfect hybrid between a Moog synthesizer and the digital world.

While I always appreciated Air for their rich tapestry of sounds, Darkel possesses some catchy melodies and riffs. Take “TV Destroy.” You’ve got the 1/8 note pseudo-punk rock bass line accompanied by an orgasmic sigh and straight up and down chop-sock-y distorted guitars. It’s a real fist-pumper. Those who remember Eno’s Before and After Science might find an analogue in “King’s Lead Hat,” which is a song of similar tempo and beat, with similar effects. Contrasting with the up-tempo thrust of “TV Destroy,” “Some Men” displays a well thought out, tranquil and soul-stirring ballad. It’s albums like these that really make me think my iTunes genre browser is not the sharpest marble in the bag. Darkel is classified as “electronica,” but the sound is completely retro and mellow. Sure it’s electronic, as long as there are electronic instruments used in the production of the album’s music, but this possess all the funky, retro sounds people love about Air as well.
www.darkel.info
www.astralwerks.com

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Trey Perkins

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