Pink Elephant

カナダ・モントリオールが生んだ至宝=アーケイド・ファイア
ダニエル・ラノアとの共同プロデュースによる通算7作目のニュー・アルバム『Pink Elephant』

グラミー賞、ブリット・アワード各々2部門受賞歴を誇り、過去3作のアルバムが全米・全英チャート1位に輝いたカナダ・モントリオールが生んだ至宝＜アーケイド・ファイア＞による待望のニュー・アルバム『Pink Elephant』(ピンク・エレファント)。
前作『ウィ』から約3年ぶり、通算7作目となる本作は、メンバーのウィン・バトラーとレジーヌ・シャサーニュ、そしてダニエル・ラノワ(U2, キラーズ、ボブ・ディラン、ニール・ヤングなどで知られる)による共同プロデュースの下、バトラーとシャサーニュが所有するニューオーリンズのグッド・ニュース・レコーディング・スタジオでレコーディングが行われた。全10曲が収録され、アート・ロック然としたアーケイド・ファイアらしいサウンドは踏襲されつつ、これまで以上に感情表現が豊かな意欲作となっている。アルバム・タイトルは「ある思考を抑えようとするほど、その思考から逃れられなくなる逆説的な効果」にちなんでいる。

Though Arcade Fire stated that the titular pachyderm in question refers to "Ironic process theory" -- the paradox that occurs when one tries so hard to squash a thought that it becomes the only thing they can think about -- Pink Elephant could just as easily refer to the elephant in the room as it pertains to the 2022 scandal wherein Win Butler had a handful of misconduct allegations levied against him (which were denied). The years following that fallout directly inform this tumultuous and deeply personal record. Subdued, synth-heavy, and very moody -- three of the ten songs are instrumentals -- its the sound of relationship counseling (and public relations repair) playing out for listeners ears, for better or worse. The bands typical brand of sonic catharsis is there, for sure, but it seems to be more of a necessary process for Win and wife Regine Chassagne alone and not the fans, who may not have moved beyond the accusations and their overall implications. All that is fine enough, but its an unavoidable issue that may make this the most divisive Arcade Fire album to date. Listeners are both the targets and witnesses to the assumed mending of a relationship marred by a betrayal where theres a lot of explaining but not much apologizing. The epic orchestrations of "Open Your Heart or Die Trying" introduce the pensive, post-punk title track, which sets the stage for "Year of the Snake." Named after the animal of the lunar cycle at the time of release, it serves a double purpose as a symbol of renewal from the shedding of the skin. Its a slow burn that ends up capturing the bands classic melodramatic-build-and-crashing-release attack of old. The too-on-the-nose "Circle of Trust" -- also the name of the bands exclusive album tie-in app -- injects some energy to the mix, employing synths and a throbbing pulse to kickstart the albums heart. That carries into "Alien Nation" -- which sounds like a Reflektor orphan in the best way possible -- before fizzling back out again with the next instrumental interlude "Beyond Salvation" and the sparse, lovelorn "Ride or Die." One can really hear Butler working to win his way back into Chassagnes good graces, and that sentiment washes over the entirety of Side B, with the tender "I Love Her Shadow" really driving the "Im sorry, please forgive me!" point home. Pink Elephant feels like an album Arcade Fire "had to" make, one that addresses a very public period of the bands history without getting too deep (or deep enough at all) into the matter, like they just want everyone to forget about it and move on to the inevitable next album cycle. ~ Neil Z. Yeung