A clarinet/synth duo, placed under the auspices of the Ambiances Magnétiques label, initially suggests a wave of extreme, exciting but abrasive sounds. But no. Don’t be carried away by certain preconceived ideas. Tarot, by the duo Super scintillant (a name that means super scintillating, and that has the merit of attracting attention – it is formed by Mélanie Bourassa on bass clarinet and Nicolas Bernier on modular synth) navigates rather in calm waters, affected by slight ripples here and there. Throughout the journey of the ten tracks on the album, Bourassa and Bernier take us into a realm of spontaneous improvisations, well-framed by a dynamic restraint that supports the contemplative nature of the approach. That said, the contemplation in question requires the listener to engage in active and attentive listening, as a profusion of activity unfolds, sometimes surreptitiously, in the sound space created by the two artists. Colours and textures sometimes widely spread, elsewhere teeming in the undercurrents of perception.
Tarot is therefore an album that is both soothing and exciting, for those who wish to listen diligently.
