Patrick Chardronnet - Pleasant Day

  • Share
  • "Pleasant Day" sounds a little reminiscent of "Phonix," a Patrick Chardronnet and Afrilounge production from '05. A head-bobbing low-end is shadowed by a bleepier melody, while sinister male vocals whisper their way in and out of the mix. This immediate similarity foreshadows the biggest problem with the record; it sounds quite dated. There are certain styles of music which will endure endless simulacra, but I'm not convinced this is one of them. And disregarding trends, Chardronnet is still repeating himself after five years. That said, "Pleasant Day" is more "big room" than its predecessors; a dramatic pad takes hold of the last quarter, lifting the mood considerably. On the other side, "Aim" offers a similar feel, but with less intensity. Whispering hi-hats form a sort of brittle skeleton, with a twangy, uplifting synth employed for melody. As with the A-side, I approached with pre-meditated patience, but things never really seem to get far. The main hook is stuck in limbo; not quite simple enough for hypnosis, not complex or unique enough to be memorable. For digital buyers, "Twist" provides a trance-like arpeggio which spins its way easily through the track. A growling, faux-acid bassline acts as a counterpoint, gradually drifting up and down along with everything else. This time there's more claim to hypnosis, but as with the other two, the small details are missing—details which made Chardronnet's work so interesting in the past.
  • Tracklist
      01. Aim 02. Pleasant Day 03. Twist
RA