The French Revolution

The Golden Age - Woodkid

Yoann Lemoine is a man of many talents. Artist, producer, director, musician, singer, songwriter to name a few. Last year he emerged from behind the cameras of music videos for artists such as Katy Perry, Lana Del Rey and Drake, to release Iron, his first single. The ominous but enthralling introduction, a tidal wave of brass followed by almost tribal percussion heralds not only the start to an exceptional song, but an exceptional career. The song encapsulates everything Woodkid, Lemoine's alter-ego, is about. It is epic songwriting at its very best and blurs the line between songwriting and composing. Throughout The Golden Age, Woodkid's debut album, Lemoine utilises a full orchestra, from sweeping piano to heartwrenching strings to violent drums, its all there to be appreciated for what the Frenchman's first full length foray into the industry really is: Art.

The opening track which bears the same name as the album is a mournful eulogy for youth. Even in the first song of the record, Lemoine makes it clear that it is not just the music that he wants to use to capture your heart, but lyrics as well. None are as powerful as in the title song as the artist gives a tribute to the saddest part of anyone's life; growing up, “Did you ever feel / We're falling as we grow / No I would not believe / The light could ever go / But the Golden Age is over.” There is promise of adventure however, as the tempo is briefly raised with the staccato thrust of trumpets, “But boys are made to flee / And run away one day.”

The adventure begins immediately with the immersive and enthralling Run Boy Run. Lemoine's second single is a real achievement. It is awe-inspiring, especially when listened to the way Woodkid wants it to be listened to. Lemoine has stated in interviews before how important he believes music videos to be and it is easy to see his intentions with the video to The Golden Age's second song. It is an essential experience, not an optional bonus, unlike ninety nine percent of music videos nowadays. To say that his videos give life to his songs would be wrong, for his music is utterly exceptional. However, when accompanied, or partnered as I should say, by the vidoes he has created for them they cease to be just music and instead become an obsession. Run Boy Run serves as the perfect example. It is a music video that makes the heart flutter and deserves to be seen again and again (you can view it below). The three videos he has made so far are for Iron, Run Boy Run and I Love You. All three have to be seen to be believed. 

Out of the previously unheard songs on the album – Iron, Run Boy Run and I Love you have all been available before the album's release – Conquest of Spaces is the pick of the litter, but it is a close run contest. Each track is a heartfelt gift and each one is felt differently. Lemoine's melancholy but beautiful vocals are the only constant throughout as he leads you to feel each song individually, from the pure heroic shivers of Run Boy Run to the heartbreaking strings that introduce Shadows.

As far as debut albums go, they don't get much better than this. Made with feeling, our first full length installment of Woodkid is a tremendous achievement. There are no filler tracks, each has had real care and attention put into it. The Golden Age is an album that comes to life upon the very first listen. Lemoine was asked in an interview while he was touring in Russia about his album and how he wanted it to make people feel. He answered simply, “I want my music to make people feel like heroes when they listen to it.” At first it may sound pretentious and it may sound like a tall order, but he has achieved exactly that.