OPEN WORLDS

French electronica artist Pierre Zalkazanov is staging a comeback with two albums in the last three years after an absence of 30 years. Though hailed as "the French answer to the legendary Berlin Kosmische scene" I find his slowed down, scaled down soundscapes to be more akin to the spacey, melody-oriented music of 1970s-to-Blade Runner-era VANGELIS and even Oxygène-era JEAN-MICHEL JARRE. The themes, melodies and layers feel almost too simple, syrupy, and slow. It's almost New Age massage/meditation music! I feel that Zanov's music here lacks originality and freshness.

Favorite song: 2. "Next Trip" (5:30) (9/10)

Good songs: 5. "Robot Valley" (4:17) (8/10); "Remote Impact" (6:03) (8/10)

A three star album; good but not exceptional and definitely not essential.