Julien Ledru – Mellotone Valley
Oh, how refreshing it was to find an album full of beautiful acoustic fingerstyle guitar. It’s been a while since I heard anything in the style, as our collective unconscious has moved into experimental spaces replete with effects pedals and nebulous discord. Not to dismiss either thing – both are absolutely my shit and necessary. But Julian Ledru’s Mellotone Valley was so welcome in its straightforward, gorgeous simplicity – not that his playing style is simple at all, just, it’s nice to focus on the guitar and guitar adjacent sounds. Because that’s one of the most beautiful sounds in existence.
The Parisian Prim player draws inspo from Elizabeth Cotten, Mississippi John Hurt, and Etta Baker, along with the usual suspects. His playing style is delicate and avoids some of the harsher sounds of the Am.Prim. canon, which I greatly appreciate. It is floral and breathable and autumnal, making it a must-buy-on-Bandcamp-Friday record for October. But, it’s out tomorrow.
His third record takes its name from a Duke Ellington standard, “In a Mellow Tone” (also known as “In a Mellotone”). The photography illustrating the cover is a work of the artist Harmonie Aupetit. Available on digital or vinyl.
