Eidetic

Thomas Meluchs music as Benoit Pioulard always reflects a strong sense of place, wherever that might be. He responded to lockdowns for the COVID-19 global pandemic -- which happened not long after he traded Seattle for Brooklyn -- with Bloodless, a set of glowing ambient tracks that captured the hazy, sometimes cozy liminality of quarantine. On Eidetic, he further explores the emotional impact of his cross-country move and reflects on what stays with you when you leave it all behind. Named for the ability to remember images in great detail, Eidetic is fittingly abundant in nuanced, bittersweet pop. Pioulards dreamy electro-folk sounds as fresh and timeless as it did in the Precis days, particularly on "Thursday Night"s ringing harmonies and gusty acoustic strumming. He may be a city dweller, but his music still sounds like a walk through a forest, and the way "Crux"s percussion evokes breeze passing through branches belies that much of Eidetic was recorded in a cabin tucked away in rural Maine. Since this side of his music is so fully realized, the subtle differences within it are vital. This time, Pioulard brings a more grounded energy to songs like "Viridiana," where the bustling rhythm prevents its bubbling windchimes and guitars from floating away too soon. He also throws listeners some curves with the swelling, post-rock-meets-surf guitar textures of "Maple Seed"s wintry contemplation and the beachy innocence of "The Void," which boasts an early-60s chord progression that adds yet another layer of nostalgia. Most of all, though, Pioulards vocals allow him to zoom in on the details of Eidetics memories and reveries. Close listening reveals that the lilting, sparkling "Tet" is about his fathers tour of duty in Vietnam. On "Pastel Dust," he pays homage to his late cat with a winding meditation that bridges sorrow, gratitude, and hope. Though the way Pioulards voice blends into the rest of the music makes Eidetic a shade less immediate than albums such as The Benoit Pioulard Listening Matter, it heightens the impressionistic powers of songs like "Nameless," where he seems to become one with the ambient contrails that close the track. The wordless side of Pioulards music also makes powerful statements, especially on the albums bookends. With expanding tones that suggest sunbeams stretching over a river, "Margaret Murie" makes it easy to hear why Pioulard considers the writer and conservationist an inspiring foremother. Similarly, "Where To"s misty sweep ends Eidetic with the feeling of setting off on a journey but ensuring the important things come along for the ride. Instead of contrasting the pop and ambient aspects of his work as hes done before, on Eidetic Pioulard finds harmony within change in his own unmistakable, softly spellbinding fashion. ~ Heather Phares