NLF3 - Pink Renaissance

by Maarten Schiethart

published: 2 / 9 / 2014

Label: Prohibited Records
Format: CD

Intriguing instrumental electronica on sixth album from Parisian cult outfit, NLF3

Review

Playing London, Middlesbrough, Birmingham, Brighton and Edinburgh this October, after four 2012 performances in The UK, NLF3 has built up a small following on the other side of the Channel. The Paris outfit offers little to no exceptional quality, yet the blending of dreamscapes and orchestral dance tunes puts 'Pink Renaissance' firmly into our spotlights. Its lounging acoustic electronica touches on minimalistic grounds ever so soon after a few post-rock sonic escapades. This odd mixture makes NLF3 a hard act to follow. In a purely instrumental mode, imagine Stereolab has been undertaking Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark. Driving beats, lingering melodic tunes and savoury saturation lead to a more than pleasant listen. While not exceptional by any means, 'Pink Renaissance' merges post-krautrock and downbeats. 'Rise' makes for an excellent example of how minimalism meets melody, whilst the next track 'Three Dances' further proves their point. NLF3 play ballet musique. Their synthesizer sounds like a harpsichord. As the sounds from 'Three Dances' fade away, they echo an elegant epoque, and 'Pink Renaissance' concludes in adventurous and often modest splendour. Choreograph music well performed.