SG79: Hibou - It Seems To Me [LP]
Hibou is the solo project of songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist Peter Michel. Since his debut self-titled album in 2015, over the past decade Michel has beautifully evolved his earnest, nostalgic sound, seamlessly composed of dreamy synths, stable, new-wave inspired rhythms and basslines, and sentimental, yet wonderfully honest lyrical narratives that collectively appear as if they are always in full bloom. Simultaneously hopeful and ruminative, Hibou’s fourth album It Seems To Me traverses different and often difficult emotional terrain while still remaining true to Michel’s signature sound.
From narratives about the serenity of nature and dealing with metropolitan loneliness (“Cityscape”), to striving to extend our empathy towards others who may be struggling
with anxiety and panic (“Glossed Under”), to his auspicious and healing move from the busy streets of Paris to the charming Aix-en-Provence (“Aix”), Michel approaches each of his themes with equal parts concern and reverence, meticulously crafting dreamscapes that gesture towards the beauty and tranquility of reverie without losing footing in reality. Michel at once ascends and grounds the listener through his artful and meticulous synth design - provocative and prophetic (“Eidolon”), almost surreal in its intensity (“Whirl”), and patient yet remarkably playful (“Pirouette”) - and this keen focus remains a constant and indelible force throughout the album. Alongside this stunning - and at times, almost cathartic - fastidiousness, is Michel’s passionate, yet serene vocals, providing a dynamic counter to the heavy themes presented. Ultimately, It Seems to Me is an album that is as intuitive as it is evocative, representing a multifaceted addition to Hibou’s repertoire.
SG79: Hibou - It Seems To Me