Antwerp triphop / indiepop band Psy'Aviah announces its new album "Lightflare" today ready for pre-order and official worldwide release on 9th February 2018.
14 tracks that take you on a rollercoaster of emotions. From utter despair and darkness towards joy and happiness. From triphop to synthpop, with influences of jazz and indiepop – from electroclash to electrorock with roaring guitars and breakbeats in typical Psy’Aviah fashion!
Collaborations with Ellia Bisker (Sweet Soubrette), Marieke Lightband (KOALA) and Psy’Aviah Live Band singer), Kyoko Baertsoen (KYOKO, Hooverphonic, etc..), Mari Kattman, Michael Evans (MiXE1), Fallon Nieves, David Chamberlin (Entrzelle), Addie Nicole (Halocene), KONER, Phoebe Stone and Lofthill. Remixes by SD-KRTR, rool, Assemblage 23, Chaos All Stars, People Theatre, Alter Future, Isserly, Cyborgdrive, Jean-Marc Lederman and 4 exclusive meditative / contemplative tracks inspired upon both triphop/ambient and more ethereal Indian and Yoga sounds.
“This album is my testament to hope!”, says Yves Schelpe (aka PSY’AVIAH). “It’s a journey from utter despair towards joy and happiness. With “Lightflare”, I leave behind those bitter moments in life, the album is a beacon, shining, standing tall like a lighthouse in a rough ocean storm, waiting to be a guide for all those lost at sea… For those wandering souls, for you, and perhaps – and more than likely – even for the “future me””.
Lightflare is a 14-track album that retraces the Belgian artist’s music therapy efforts and his emotional ascension from the darkest thoughts towards more joyful moments of enlightenment. While PSY’AVIAH’s sound remains quite focused on his characteristic style range hovering somewhere between the synthpop, electropop and triphop melange, with sometimes heavier electronic dance tracks, we clearly perceive the switch of atmosphere and moods from the more torturous and self-questioning songs (e.g.: “The Great Disconnect”, Lost At Sea”, “Lonely Soul”, “Plan B”, “Aftermath”, “Heavy Heart”, “Under The Rain” or yet “Ghost”) towards more dynamic, shining and positively charged compositions (e.g.: “Sound Of New”, “Game Changer”, Reboot Reset Relay”, "Mr. Vanity", “In The Sound”, “For Myself”). Compiled across one full length album, these beautiful, sincere and touching songs make a whole and reveal PSY’AVIAH at his best, expanding his musical spectrum from jazzy trip-hop to electro rock and break beats while staying faithful to his modern electro / EBM roots.
Yves Schelpe is also perfectly surrounded here by carefully selected male and female vocalists who each brilliantly render the poignant intimacy of these lyrics everyone can easily relate to. We first of all have PSY’AVIAH’s award winning live vocalist Marieke Lightband who sets the emotional bar very high with “The Great Disconnect”, just like Ellia Bisker and Kyoko Bartsoen (ex-HOOVERPHONIC, LUNASCAPE) respectively do it on “Aftermath” and “Plan B”. Other highlights are also reached through the collaboration with Michael Evans (MiXE1) who brings PSY’AVIAH closer to a band like MESH as well as the energetic feature together with KONER. Some other infamous ”usual” partners in crime are also part of the game again including the unmatchable voice of Mari Kattman, Fallon Nieves, David Chamberlin (ENTRZELLE), as well as the incisive guitar parts signed by Jürgen Brischar of JUNKSISTA and by live member Ben van de Cruys, the meticulous mixing work of Mitia Wexler, the mastering touch of Geert de Wilde (IC 434) and the unique design of Japanese artist Tomoki Haysaka.
“Lightflare” starts as a cry for help to progressively turn into a symbol of hope. Rich in sparkling emotions and melodic freshness, this inspiring and shining album is bound to become a classic in its genre and is a golden milestone in PSY’AVIAH’s impressive discography.
There is light at the end of every tunnel, let this album shine on you and become your beacon whenever darkness sets in…
“Lightflare” also comes out as a double-CD carton-fold edition with a bonus disc featuring 4 exclusive meditative / contemplative tracks inspired upon both triphop/ambient and more ethereal Indian and yoga philosophies & sounds; plus remixes by ASSEMBLAGE 23, Jean-Marc Lederman, SD-KRTR, PEOPLE THEATRE, CHAOS ALL STARS, ALTER FUTURE, ROOL, CYBORGDRIVE and ISSERLEY.
