For his second opus, Valence offers us poetic, instrumental indie-pop. Three years after the release of his debut album Pêle-mêle (2021), Vincent Dufour (real name) returns with a concept album exploring the twists and turns of breaking up in love. Although the subject matter may seem heavy, Valence’s poetry is so gentle and colorful that La nuit s’achève is anything but dark. From the very first track, Petit singe, the singer-songwriter uses simple but effective metaphors to illustrate the feeling of a relationship in decline: “when a flower fades in the dark, we cling to the branch that supports us”.
The album title is representative of the mood of the opus, capturing that sense of urgency that often emerges at the end of a relationship, when the foundations seem to be crumbling. It also refers to his songwriting process, having written most of the lyrics at night, between bouts of insomnia. Darkness, both emotional and introspective, thus becomes an important component of the album.
La nuit s’achève is also an album in which composition plays a central role. The melodies help tell the story through their lightness and complexity. Correspondance sous somnifère is a perfect example: this instrumental piece plunges us into the melancholy of a broken heart. Film music influences are also apparent, particularly in Depuis Marseille, which sounds as if it has been lifted straight from the soundtrack of a French romantic film.
All in all, La nuit s’achève is a bit like reliving the nostalgia of a first break-up as a teenager. It’s painful, tragic and nostalgic, but there are also glimmers of hope and sweetness. I love Valence’s lyrics and voice, which are more mature and refined than ever.
