Over their remarkable 25-year journey, Klone has undergone a profound transformation. Beginning with a complex, heavy sound characterized by intricate time signatures, technical riffs, and an unusual blend of high-pitched vocals mixed with guttural growls, they gradually progressed towards a more refined, atmospheric style enriched with melancholic melodies and meticulous arrangements. While many bands might have settled into this sound, Klone dared to venture further. With the release of Here Comes the Sun in 2015, they fully embraced a more experimental art-rock direction, emphasizing emotional depth, clean vocals, rhythmic grooves, and post-rock-like dynamics. They expanded upon this sound in their subsequent albums.
Even though last year’s Meanwhile experienced a few missteps, their latest creation, The Unseen, marks a significant departure from the minor shortcomings of its predecessor. The Unseen delves deeper into the band’s distinctive progressive tendencies, featuring unconventional rhythms, eclectic stylistic combinations, a more potent guitar tone reminiscent of the Le Grand Voyage era, and an overall focus on collective musicianship. The mood, too, leans more towards the dark, melancholic aesthetic of the 2019 release than the self-reflective introspection of last year’s Meanwhile. However, before long-time fans get overly excited, it’s essential to note that the best aspects of Klone’s contemporary style remain intact throughout The Unseen, albeit tinged with a more profound and striking intensity.
In all honesty, this blend of established and novel ideas results in one of the more peculiar Klone releases. The album opens with the pre-release single “Interlaced,” which offers a breathtaking voyage through rich, rhythmic depths. Interwoven chiming guitars lead to a soaring, free-jazz-inspired saxophone solo, while lyrics reflecting on moments that allow us to rediscover our youth set the introspective tone for the album as a whole. From that point onward, however, the juxtaposition of old and new elements, along with their execution, creates a challenging listening experience. “The Unseen” strikes a balance between melancholy and optimism over a lilting waltz-time groove before the band amplifies the distortion, and Yann Ligner’s voice breaks forth with an outpouring of lyrical vulnerability. Another standout track, “Magnetic,” serves as a bold and straightforward tribute to love, featuring a simple yet undeniably effective structure that culminates in a fist-pumping, pulse-racing crescendo.
Every Klone release stands as a self-contained performance, delivering an equal blend of refinement of the past and innovative new elements. The Unseen continues this tradition of refinement while exploring new sonic territories, merging the electrifying art-rock of their last three albums with the dark, melancholic prog of Here Comes the Sun, all while retaining the emotionally driven essence for which they are renowned. Essentially, The Unseen is Klone’s best-of-both-worlds release, distilling the most prominent elements from the last decade of their career into a seamless package that showcases what might be their finest work to date.
Returning with their tenth full-length album, The Unseen, this French art-rock ensemble is elevating their already sumptuous sound to dizzying, majestic heights. This bold new endeavor traverses a singular yet contrasting soundscape, delivering an immersive, dreamlike experience that underscores the importance of seemingly trivial aspects. Emotive and conceptual, Klone has once again broken new sonic ground, expanding upon their signature expansive sound. Following the release of Le Grand Voyage in 2019, they have reached new heights globally, touring alongside notable acts such as Devin Townsend, Leprous, Riverside, Pain of Salvation, and Gojira, captivating festival audiences at events like Hellfest 2024 and Prog Power USA.
With every member and instrument pushed to its expressive limits, The Unseen exudes a might and intensity that, while at times abrasive, feels both natural and unified as the band transitions from motif to melody seamlessly, guided by the unmistakable voice and vision of Yann Ligner.
In summary, The Unseen serves as a milestone, reflecting on the past to enhance the appreciation of the present. Klone leverages their shared decades of creativity and collaboration to offer enlightening new perspectives on the here and now.
The Unseen is out on November 8th via Pelagic Records; order from Bandcamp here. Follow Klone on Facebook and Instagram.
"The Unseen" serves as a milestone, reflecting on the past to enhance the appreciation of the present. Klone leverages their shared decades of creativity and collaboration to offer enlightening new perspectives on the here and now.
