Album Review/ Alt Rock : Giu’s ‘BACK IS ROCK’

Giu is a French artist and rock musician. He is a storyteller, his soundscapes carrying emotion and tale in an inextricable combination. Authentic, original, and compelling. The vulnerability is so effortless and fresh, as if you’re dunking yourself in the flowing river. And when you come up, you are in a different world. Gui’s music is memorable, each song fostering a connection that you wouldn’t have expected. His latest release is ‘BACK IS ROCK’, an album that explores the indie-alternative spectrum. We see some pop rock, elements of folk, alternative, and a whole lot of these in between blends. A continuum, a sophisticated vehicle that carries his vision. 

‘En Acier Trempe’ opens the album. A feel-good pop rock song with warm riffs, looping beats and mellow grooves. The vocals are expressive in a way that reflects it in the rest of the soundscape. A fun, upbeat introduction to gui’s latest. 

‘Reveille-Toi’ follows this with a more stormy output. The basslines are heavy and drag. Riffs are deep and textured, splashing over the beats. The vocals also have a more solemn tone, emotion extracted from somewhere deep within. That alternative pulse springs up almost instantly with this track. We see fresh presentations of alt-rock in tracks like ‘Passé-Passe’ and ‘Echo’ as well. The former is fun and catchy, with edgy grooves and beats. Bold basslines, challenging and loud, steal the show here alongside the vocal line. 

‘Il Est Des Notres’ also has an alternative edge. With modern electric frames, the song comes alive in a sizzle of bass and textured sparks. The pace of it is slow and steady, a kind of grim, ruminating trudge. We see it carried into ‘Neandertal’. The shining jewel of the album. Deep baritones matched with light, playful guitar specks. The grooves are embedded in there, sweeping and swinging. But the luminous touches are so fresh, drawing us in with its classy modern rock personality. ‘Un Tigre De Cirque’ and ‘Je Ne Peux Plus Rester’ both are extended explorations of the palette in ‘Neandertal’ presenting elements of blues, funk, and soul. 

‘Croucher De Soleil’ ups the ante again with its driving groove and dynamic riffs. ‘Vitesse Stabilisee’ on the other hand is lighter, with a bluesy pop cast and a dreamy feel-good appeal. ‘Zone De Controle’ shimmers with moody blues. With colorful synth notes cutting through the gloom, they create an enjoyable duality. ‘Bitume’ opens with a saxophone fanfare. It marks the conclusion of the bluesy arc. The emphasis of alt rock makes a comeback, and together these two stylistic pieces fuse to create a dynamic rock cinema that you simply cannot get enough of. Listen Now! 

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The album is available for streaming on popular sites like Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, and Amazon Music! 

You can listen to ‘BACK IS ROCK’ by Giu here -