‘Changes on the horizon.’ Two years after the hit single ‘Leave a Light On’, Marble Sounds turns a corner with ‘Tautou’ – into a street where a piano determines the traffic and strings cry melancholy. ‘Tautou’ is the third album of the band around lead vocalist Pieter Van Dessel, after ‘Nice Is Good’ (2010) and ‘Dear Me, Look Up’ (2013).
It’s not exactly a change of direction, but ‘Tautou’ does sound different from any previous work by Marble Sounds: great in simplicity – at times intense – with ten songs that live in the area between post rock and neatly arranged pop. Death Cab For Cutie, Elbow and Frightened Rabbit could be their neighbours.
Even before Pieter Van Dessel put down the foundations of ‘Tautou’, he already had a sketch of the cd in mind. ‘The idea of creating an album based on piano and string instruments originated when I was working on the demo for ‘Ten Seconds to Count Down’. ‘Nice Is Good’ and ‘Dear Me, Look Up’ are interchangeable to a point, so the time was right to make a change. ‘Tautou’ breathes a different atmosphere; it’s not a rock album.’
More than ever did the brains of Marble Sounds need outside help. Van Dessel produced ‘Tautou’ together with Jasper Maekelberg of Faces On TV: ‘Jasper had a great share in the eventual sound of the album. I used to bring the guitar to the foreground, but Jasper found a balance between drums, bass, guitar and strings.’ The band is also welcoming new drummer Mattijs Vanderleen (Sunday Bell Ringers, Tommigun, [sic], BOX); composer Roel Das wrote all arrangements for strings, played by an orchestra of 8 from Casco Phil, formerly the Belgian Chamber Orchestra.
The first single ‘The Ins and Outs’ summarizes ‘Tautou’ in one song: hot and cold at the same time, with a piano that transfers into a sea of strings and nervous riffs. A German Flute takes centre stage in ‘K.V.’ (an ode to legendary marathon runner Kathrine V. Switzer), ‘Tout Et Partout’ is a conversation between Van Dessel and singer Renée, and Dutch singer Kim Janssen takes on backing vocals for songs such as ‘(How It’s Going to) End’. ‘Roque’ and ‘These Paintings Never Dry’ are a subtle nod to Jacqueline Roque, Pablo Picasso’s last wife and muse.
Marble Sounds may be wearing a new mask, but the heart of their music is still full of melancholy. ‘‘Tautou’ cuts deeper, we sound more mature than before”, claims Van Dessel. ‘Sometimes it’s easier to work alone, but I’m very happy that we created this album together. It feels like a great step forward.’
A duet with Adamo, a television performance at the Sportgala, YouTube hits (‘Good Occasions’) with over 6 million views and (‘The Time to Sleep’) with over 4 million views: Marble Sounds is ready to write the next chapter.