The Bordeaux band Fragile will be in concert at the Boule Noire on October 3rd to discover their album Without a Fight.
When we first come across Fragile, we can ask if they have Fragile only in name. It's rock, this pure sound of electric guitar that takes its place, shares it with the singing, like a duo, a violent and passionate couple. But we quickly realize that there is so much softness and tenderness interspersed that it is impossible to remove this fragility so beautiful.
Born in the 2000s in Bordeaux, the band is unmistakably rock but likes to navigate between English and French, between ballads and powerful riffs.
Their discography currently consists of a first EP and several singles:
– Smile(s) (2014)
– I Run (2016),
Fragile unveils its 1st album Without a fight in 2017.
The more we enter this album, the more we have the impression of hesitating between progressive rock, see post rock and progressive rock. We draw the strength of one to abandon ourselves to the depth of the other.
As soon as the song becomes French, the first reference that comes to mind is Noir Désir. And there the nostalgic of this group can be reassured: no pale copy, no cynicism. There is the same intensity in the diction, the same fervor and especially the quality of the texts. Let's enjoy it!
It's beautiful, vibrant with emotions and with this patina of realism that touches and speaks.
The album opens with Sixty Nine, a superb instrumental track that plunges us including a dark and gripping melody.
The introduction of Either You or Me is deceptively quiet, almost folk… before taking its momentum and flying away in a poignant lyricism.
Where we were able to really bring the band closer to Anathema is on the following track: Without a Fight You Die. Whether in the presence of the guitar, the piano that haunts the song, the bass that brings its heaviness, the song that vanishes at the end of the song … So many elements that seduced us.
Un par Un is the first song in French. Small interlude, it's short, piano-voice and extremely poetic.
Very rock, I run is surprising with an ending in the second part. Protesting, the lyrics are an invitation to escape.
Second interlude: piano supported by a cello, Droit Devant is again a superb poetic breath.
Reviewing Un Printemps is an observation, a dictation of contained anger, of current malaise… A nod to certain revolutions… which explodes at the end of the title!
Back to English for Smile(s): Almost an English walk whose pace changes after a quieter passage.
Almost ambient, not far from Dead Can Dance, between almost tribal rhythm and very insistent synth, If I Could denotes. A singular touch that reinforces the general melancholy of the album.
Like a music box, we go back to an instrumental track with Sans Visage (a nod to Miyazaki?). Definitely, we do not stop being surprised in this atypical construction.
Just a Moment is another beautiful walk on resignation, acceptance.
A song in two parts once again: Je Reste, is both piano-voice and instrumental. As an extension of the previous title…
The conclusion of the album is a fine play on words – Sang Conclude – whose dark lyrics are not reassuring. They turn into an enumeration, a list mixing positive and negative, sensations and concept… Learned association of idea that tries to summarize what life is. Very beautiful!
The band will be in concert on October 3rd at La Boule Noire with June and the Jones in the first part.
