MELODYS ECHO CHAMBER - Unclouded

Yet another change of producer for musician Melody Prochet, yet another gamble after the excellent debut produced by Kevin Parker of Tame Impala, “Unclouded” arrives after the uneven but interesting 2022 effort “Emotional Eternal”, an album that tried to reinvent her alt-pop and dream-pop imagery after a period of emotional ups and downs (a brain aneurysm, a broken rib, but thankfully also a joyful motherhood).

This time it's Sven Wunder (producer as well as co-writer) giving a fresh look to the French artist's airy, dreamlike vocal qualities. Hence the decision to sideline almost entirely the musicians who had collaborated on the Melody's Echo Chamber project in the past, wisely keeping on guitarist Reine Fiske (Dungen) and drafting in two players from the skilled retro-soul and psychedelic outfit Dina Ögon: arranger Josefin Runsteen and drummer Malcolm Catto (Heliocentrics, Madlib, Dj Shadow, etc.).

Despite the lukewarm reception from the press — Mojo and The Guardian settled for a diplomatic 6/10, while others handed out downright failing grades — “Unclouded” is Melody Prochet's best album yet. The hazy, loosely defined melodies of the songwriter mesh perfectly with the scenic and sonic framework built from library-jazz-style orchestral arrangements and the buoyant, incisive grooves rooted in funk, hip-hop, soul and r&b brought to the fore, all wrapped in a psychedelic sparkle that swings from blaxploitation (“Eyes Closed”) to shoegaze/dream-pop psychedelia in the vein of Brian Jonestown Massacre (“Memory's Underground”).

The instrumental framework is remarkable: Malcolm Catto's drumming and Reine Fiske's sparkling guitar work give the compositions plenty of room to breathe, while Sven Wunder's masterful production creates an almost hypnotic effect.

Bolstered by two powerful, captivating opening tracks (“The House That Doesn't Exist” and “In The Stars”), Melody's Echo Chamber's fourth album stays lively and cohesive, moving between lush, delicate orchestrations (“Burning Man”), intriguing funky solos set in an almost lounge-like context (“Childhood Dream”), slightly more ambitious arrangements (“How To Leave Misery Behind”), and finally the incredible pop-soul miniature “Daisy”, which benefits from the inspired touch of musician and producer Leon Michels (El Michels Affair).

Released quietly in early December, “Unclouded” is unlikely to feature on any year-end lists (which by now get compiled in early November), but it arrives right on time to soundtrack the holiday season. Ignore the hasty, unkind comments from certain critics: this is without a doubt Melody's Echo Chamber's best album — hear it to believe it.

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01/01/2026