Melody’s Echo Chamber: Unclouded Review – An Enchanted and Dark Garden by Dreampop | music

FWrench musician Melody Bruchet, also known as Melody’s Echo Chamber, never struggles to find a supporting cast. Her 2012 debut was produced by Tame Impala’s Kevin Parker. For second album Bon Voyage (2018) she collaborated with Swedish psychedelic rock band Dungen, whose guitarist Reine Fiske reappeared on 2022’s Emotional Eternal and now appears on Unclouded. Prochet’s fourth album was produced and partly co-written by composer Sven Wunder, and its impressive lineup of contributors also includes Josefin Runsteen (luxurious strings) and DJ Shadow collaborator Malcolm Cato (percussive hum).

Yet somehow Brochet retains her unique vision. Borrowing a title from a quote by Japanese animator Hayao Miyazaki – “You must see with eyes devoid of hatred. See the good in what is evil, and the evil in what is good” – Unclouded takes its airy vocals and baroque pop dreams to sunnier terrain. Some of the songs have a 90s vibe, reminiscent of Saint-Etienne aux Loche. Others have a feel that can only be accurately described in horticultural terms: the blooming strings of truly beautiful Broken Roses, or the sprinkles of xylophone that make Burning Man feel like a Japanese garden.

The peaceful daydream is only briefly disrupted by Into Shadows’ energetic tempo and gentle guitar playing, while Memory’s Underground brings another gentle shift in tempo and Beatles’ strings. Unclouded doesn’t have any really standout tracks, but it’s a soothing place to visit.