The 13 new tracks live on catchy melodies and marvelous arrangements. While at "Cheese" the sound was occasionally quite flat and most of the tracks
were almost worn only by van Havers grandiose speech rhythm, then the musicians are clearly opulent on his latest output. Already the opener "Te party" like the melodic singing, which immediately goes into the leg along with a catchy chorus and interesting drums. Generally, it must adhere to that as opposed to "Cheese" much more is sung, what hurts the album at any time. Also striking is the variety. Be it the lyrically quite sad "Papaoutai" ("Daddy, where are you?) Or the" South Sea "- Flair spreading" Ave Cesaria ". In each piece there are clever arrangements, the so" Stromae "clearly from a watered-down and monotonous "David Guetta" stand out.
Another new feature is the partially strong use of classical instruments such as the piano, trumpet or even the acoustic guitar ("Tous Le Memes", "Sommeil", "Ave Cesaria"). Thus, the clubige sound takes on a new and particularly interesting touch. With "Formidable" and "Quand c'est" It will then have again managed two purebred ballads on the album, the drifts almost back in shallower Popgefilde. Thanks Paul van Havers great Chanting and catchy choruses but these two songs remain interesting. In general, "Racine Carree" clearly for the masses, as the bulky "Cheese". That may be like chalk, because mass appeal often is also boring, but, surprisingly, the 13 tracks are very varied. From raplastigen sounds ("AVF", which incidentally would not have done a better Macklemore, "Humain A L'eau"), about poplastigere and catchy arrangements ("Papaoutai") to pure house / electro smashers ("Batard") is everything available.
The only real exception is the grandiose "Merci". With incredibly groovy synths and without chanting the piece of electronic experiments of the '80s or' 90s remembers. With the added later Choir however, the mood changes again and so this piece can be really difficult to classify. For me, an exciting and cherished highlight on a really high quality produced album.
Conclusion: "Racine Carree" is well thought out from start to finish. Production and Soundabmischung is almost perfect, the arrangements and melodies are incredibly catchy and "Stromaes" typical chant is better than ever. Although the new album is thus significantly more accessible and approachable for the masses, as the somewhat bulky "Cheese", but also much better.
For me this is definitely a CD-highlight in this hot musical summer!
