Diagonale des Yeux's Debut Album "Madeleine": A Whimsical Exploration of Sound

Diagonale des Yeux, a French musical duo comprising Laurène Exposito and Théo Delaunay, has released their debut album "Madeleine." The album features a unique songwriting approach, employing an exquisite corpse game technique where the duo alternates in crafting lyrics that blend ephemeral thoughts across multiple languages, including French, German, English, and Spanish.

The Guardian

The sound of "Madeleine" is characterized by its lo-fi aesthetic and eclectic instrumentation, drawing inspiration from the outsider pop and post-punk movements of 1980s Europe. The album comprises 12 tracks that showcase a mix of rudimentary synth and guitar melodies, often veering into unexpected musical directions. For instance, the track "Acolytes" transitions from a frenetic punk jam to a swooning breakdown within a brief span, while "Le Rayon Orchidée" halts abruptly, reminiscent of a malfunctioning music box.

The Guardian

The duo's playful vocal delivery adds to the album's theatricality, utilizing effects that range from pitch-shifted sounds to deeper, more masculine tones. While some tracks, such as "Tie Game" and "Baby Buddha," may come across as overly whimsical, the album also features poignant moments in songs like "Hills of Love" and "Paradies," which evoke a sense of melancholy.

The Guardian

Throughout "Madeleine," Diagonale des Yeux incorporates various musical references, including nods to Martin Rev and the Korgis. The reinterpretation of the Korgis' 1980 hit "Everybody’s Got to Learn Sometime" into a glitchy cold wave track exemplifies their ability to blend nostalgia with contemporary sounds. This playful yet earnest approach is delivered with a sense of humor, avoiding pretentiousness.

The Guardian

While the album has been praised for its creativity and charm, some critics have noted that the whimsical elements can occasionally feel excessive. The balance between playful experimentation and more serious musicality is a point of contention among listeners, with some preferring the quieter, more introspective tracks over the more eccentric offerings.

The Guardian

Diagonale des Yeux has expressed their intent to create music that feels both spontaneous and deeply personal. They aim to evoke a range of emotions through their eclectic soundscapes, reflecting their artistic vision of merging various influences into a cohesive work.

The Guardian

• “The bizarre, multilingual stories that emerged match the French duo’s ramshackle, home-recorded sound, which features everything from toybox percussion to farmyard sound effects.” — The Guardian

The Guardian

• “Tracks such as Hills of Love and Paradies stand out for their simple, almost melancholy wooziness, while Nana Niña calls to mind the pleasingly mechanical duets of minimal synth group Deux.” — The Guardian

The Guardian

• “But much like the rest of this topsy-turvy release, these references are delivered with a knowing grin rather than pretension.” — The Guardian

The Guardian

Following the release of "Madeleine," Diagonale des Yeux is expected to continue exploring their unique sound in future projects, potentially expanding their artistic collaborations and live performances to reach a broader audience.

The Guardian