ELEMENTS

"Elements" is MIRIODOR's tenth studio album released in 2022 and voted as the tenth best album from that year by the collaborators here on this site. This band out of Quebec can do no wrong and the only record of theirs that I had trouble with was the self titled second release. I have to say that the debut "Recontres" is by far my favourite from them but different in style from the other albums.

"Elements" continues in that complex yet strangely melodic style they do so well. Some circus-like melodies and silliness so really this is MIRIODOR offering up angular and dissonant sounds and having fun at the same time. We do get some haunting and melancholic sections, lots of experimental pieces along with samples. Heck even a turntable at one point on that second track. It took me many looks but the cover art is basically a stove element with the different "elements" written across the cover in French like "oxygene" for example. Everything in the liner notes is in French by the way.

A trio here of keys and drums with the third member adding bass, banjo, guitar, keys and yes turntable. The drummer also adds electronics to great affect. Six songs over almost 43 minutes and this is very consistent with lots to like with every track and little that turned me off which isn't always the case with an Avant record. This band is just getting better in the style they do so well. "Signal 9", "Cobra Fakir" and "Avanti!" the previous three studio albums were amazing and this keeps the streak going. I can't even pick a top three that's how consistent this is.

Without question a top ten for me as well for 2022.