Silance Celebrating the “Nouveau Genre”
Out now via Two Gentlemen is “Nouveau Genre”, the debut album from Lausanne-based singer Silance. With a handful of EPs under her belt, last autumn’s single and video featuring the album’s title track pretty much set the agenda for what has now followed. “Nouveau Genre” is a statement of solidarity from an androgynous lesbian to anyone in the LGBTQIA+ community who feels isolated or even prosecuted in their environment. Another bold statement is the album sleeve which contains only the title but not the name of the artist.
Starting off with the strikingly intense “Rockstar”, “Nouveau Genre” blends eminently danceable electronic beats with an unusually melodic rapping style and a feel for warm, chansonesque vocal melodies. Similarly satisfying is their subtle touch with the odd swell of strings or, as in “Rockstar”, an organic-sounding piano. Taking their cue from the likes of Angèle, Aloïse Sauvage and Dua Lipa, Silance strives to create music that defies categories, norms and conventions. “Nouveau Genre” is an impressive demonstration of skill from a young artist utterly confident in their work and their skin.
