The recent workings of My Bees Garden’s Melody Prochet and Tame Impala’s Kevin Parker has spawned the release of the duo’s debut self titled album, Melody’s Echo Chamber. Released only 7 days after the drop of Tame Impala’s award winning full length second LP ‘Lonerism’ (of which parker was the sole song writer and producer) in late 2012, you don’t have to listen for long before seeing and hearing the unmistakable influence that Parker has indeed had on this album. From the moment the lead guitar and drums kick off on the opening track ‘I Follow You’, its hard to not feel a sense of déjà vu in the direct wake of ‘Lonerism’. I must confess that whilst this is certainly no complaint, as I am a massive Tame Impala fan, I couldn’t help but feel somewhat apprehensive about hearing what the rest of the Album would have in store. Would Parker’s influence, with his own personal drumming and production of the album, drown out any of potential sound that Melody could bring to the table? Or would this record be remembered as something more than just one of ‘Kevins side projects’.

It was my pleasure to find that there was no need for my initial concerns. For the duration of the album’s entire 44 minutes and 11 songs, you could say that I found myself inside and enthralled by Melody and Kevin’s echo chamber, a victim of their infectiously hypnotic ‘chill vibes’. 

Whilst the album itself does not try to hide the distinct sound of those colorful and psychedelic distorted guitars, bubbly synths and echoey samples that were so frequently heard on ‘Lonerism’, it very much accommodates for Melody’s own unique song writing style. Traditionally trained from an early age in the French countryside, Melody Prochet very much holds her own in the album. Her rich and crystal like vocals sit naturally amidst the lively and colourful instrumentation that surround her, as wel as contributing to an undeniable sense of purity and innocence that is present throughout the album. Additionally, Melody’s frequent switching from singing in English to French is another notable factor that adds to this albums magnetic nature.

On the whole, Melody’s Echo Chamber is in itself an extremely attractive and alluring record. The result of the blend of Melody and Kevin’s songwriting is one that is able to take their music to different levels. With seeming effortlessness their songs glide into jams with light filled synths and echoed guitars. As,wel as Kevin Parkers drumming throughout the album that is quite frankly ‘Boss’, the duo are able to achieve the serene and irrefutably gorgeous atmosphere provides a very enjoyable listen and my own personal thumbs up. From start to finish, a very solid debut album.

8.1/10

STAND OUTS: I FOLLOW YOU, SOME TIME ALONE, BISOU MAGIQUE, ENDLESS SHORE, QUAND VAS TU RENTRER

 – Christian