French blackgaze pioneers Alcest are set to release their new album Kodama on 30th September via Prophecy Productions. Meaning “free spirit” in Japanese, the album promises to capture the dynamics and structure of cinematic soundtracks, while still echoing the sounds of their 2010 LP Eclailles De Lune. Spanning across six tracks, the record draws heavily on Japanese art and culture.
The LP was originally inspired by Hayao Miyazaki’s iconic anime Princess Mononoke, picking up on the fate of its protagonist and dealing with the sensation of not belonging and living in-between worlds. The duo have even expanded the theme into the album’s visuals, with French graphic designer pair Fortifem paying tribute to Japanese illustrators like Takato Yamamoto in the design.
The band are also heading out on an extensive co-headline tour with Mono in November. Details below.
9th November – The Engine Rooms, Southampton
10th November – The Institute, Birmingham
11th November – Queens Hall, Leicester
12th November – Classic Grand, Glasgow
13th November – Brudenell Social Club, Leeds
14th November – Gorilla, Manchester
15th November – The Globe, Cardiff
16th November – Marble Factory, Bristol
17th November – Brixton Electric, London
Watch the video for 2013’s ‘Opale’ below.
