Fine new 12 song album from French indie pop masters Orwell. 12th track is exclusive to this CD.

Since our new young century began, Jérôme Didelot has led the French band Orwell along a truly singular musical path. Passing fashion and trends have seem to have bored this group from Nancy, an ornate jewel of a city east of Paris, as they have developed an aesthetic all their own. It’s a breath–taking, heartbreaking sound, somewhere between a uniquely French sort of fineness and an international widescreen Technicolor sophistication. Orwell’s fine new album, Parcelle Brillante (A rough translation to English would be Bright Parcel) is breath–taking, heartbreaking pop perfection. The process of creating this new sonic landscape finds its true wellspring in lead singer Jerome Didelot’s immersing in the stories of writer Theodore Sturgeon, including borrowing the album. Sturgeon’s deep humanism and compassion for the loner/outsider permeates Parcelle brillante. Orwell’s rich instrumental palette and refined arrangements have evolved over the 18 years of their existence and Parcelle Brillante represents yet another leap forward in the band’s grand adventure of sonic celebration. These new songs are infused with warmth and joy: “Dérivation”, evokes the great John Barry. The bouncy “Jamais assez” features guest vocalist Armelle Pioline (Holden, Superbravo) deploying a tres chic bit of chanson style. The Japanese artist Sugar Me, adds a touch of exoticism to “Immature” that rides a sinuous melody recalling Gilbert O'Sullivan and Sean O'Hagan. Farther afield from the Orwell norm is the track “Rien ne pourra me rendre sage”, a hushed acoustic gem that conjures the early solo perfection of David Sylvian. Perhaps the finest moment here is “Dors Encore” with its hauntingly beautiful voice and strings tandem that yearns like a young Brian Wilson in a lonely room with a head full of songs.