Florence LEON Medias

When discovering Views of Tao's music for the first time, only one thing comes to our mind: since we are faced with a duet of such a talented multi-instrumentist and so beautiful, sensual and amazing a singer, why can't we but think those sounds are like a journey through strange and experimental landscapes? This feeling is the main one which remains: all here is about sound, rhythm, loops, synthetic waves and a perpetually evoluting voice. One thing is certain: all is about inspiration and sensations during this stay in an electronic and living music. But can both sides complete each other? Views of Tao prove that all of this is possible...

Musically speaking,the songs (or, apparently,the pieces of a kind of musical puzzle) are simple and straight: a few elaborated and never repetitive rhythmic loops sound like heartbeats and are sometimes close to pure silence. Apart from offering an artificial aspect, they are living and organic; they bring vibrations, sometimes like stings through the skin, sometimes sweet and peaceful. They bring a musical impulse, and are a basis, even if they often sound like noises; they are a landscape where every musical style can find a new value. Those synthetic rhythms are original and impressive, and a real work on sound in its most visceral way. They also appear like a delicate and new vision of rhythm and loops. More than being simple musical samples, they are like waves, kicks and heartbeats for their songs. Then they become a real and true language, and the music and vocals can now develop themselves and thus find their own way.

On such a rhythmical basis, synthetic melodies can then be played freely for each song. Either played with only a few tunes, as a minimalist and a single melody, as if the composer was looking for the origin and essence of sound itself, and its straight meaning, or played in a sublime and harmonious way and inspired by surprising and multiple origins, those musical universes bring rest and faith to the listener,going from emotional trip-hop to African and Arabian sounds, and let him breathe before floating and swimming in such artistic melodies. Then, the listener can discover each song one by one, and have a perfectly active and concentrated attention to the music. But more than only being intelligent music for the brain, it is also emotional and straight. Moreover, this music is like a place where vocals can find the freedom of singing.

Then appears the most emotional part of the album: Florence's vocals are impressive and full of originality and talent throughout all the 13 songs of the album. She first one reminds us of Björk and her tuned and amazing way of singing; but much more than this single reference,the vocals find a real diversity and originality. Her voice makes us travel through jazz, blues, trip-hop, but also African and Oriental songs. It then becomes a real language which has to be followed and appreciated. And one can't but admire the choirs which, more than simply doubling the main vocals, give support and harmony to them. Florence made such an impressive work in order to value her vocal fragility and convictions, and she then created an elaborated and sensitive, then captivating and original instrumentation. Sometimes sensual, sometimes, moving, and most of the time metronomical and full of rhythm,the vocals give value and meaning to the music itself. They are a melody, accents, rhythm, breath, and seduction.

Of course, a few listeners will only hear this music as a particular and experimental one; but this could only be a characteristic of a small part of the album, and its deepest essence. Views of Tao makes a music which doesn't care for borders, and wants to go to the outer limits of songs, thanks to their own style and way of composing. Nothing here is boring, and everything is made to discover, admire and think, then be a part of an active, intelligent, sensitive and surprising way of hearing music. Views of Tao creates a captivating and mysterious universe, finding sources among foreign mythology and music from the past, and bringing a new meaning to them, artistically and musically. Now, one can't but think of them playing live (as a trio: one musician and two female singers) and share this sensual, intense, and infinite journey...