“…smooth
harmonies and a smoother pop sensibility…as sophisticated as a
Parisian boulevard as diffident as exhaled Gauloise smoke, as cool
as Jean-Paul Satre and as romantic as the Left Bank.”
-
Nick Southgate, The Wire
“…an
album that enchants and leaves you to imagine.”
-
Neil King, FATEA
“…believe
us if we say that YOU SHOULD REALLY try to get your hands on Les
Heures De Raison.”
-
http://www.listentoeurope.com/
“Probably
the most refreshing, enlightening and engaging collection of music
I’ve heard for some time.”
-
http://timbre-obscura.com
"From
the land of chocolate, lighter than air, Soy un Caballo’s
Les Heures de Raison feels like it was recorded inside a
magical ball of soft cotton candy. In Spanish, “Soy un
Caballo” translates as “I am a horse”; much more than a
horse, this two-piece sounds like a rainbow-colored, winged
unicorn. This is enlightened music. It is, if you will,
bossanova for fairies.
Based in
Brussels, Belgium, the real-life couple of Aurelie Muller and
Thomas Van Cotton came together after playing for years in
separate projects-like Raymondo, V.O., and Melon Galia-and
formed Soy un Caballo. Their style is sophisticated and
adorable, and if you haven’t yet experienced it, you need to
hear them. They sing romantic, intimate songs in the language
of love and play the xylophone, which might be a good
explanation for why they chose Sean O’Hagan (from High
Llamas) to produce Les Heures de Raison. (Those familiar with
this genre know how much he loves marimbas.) Multi-talented
Will Oldham, who makes good music and boring movies, is a
guest vocalist on “La Chambre,” singing in French and
doing it tres bien!
None of the
twelve songs on this debut album are simple, and there’s not
a single wasted note in them either. Each one of these tunes
cast a honey-dipped sense of place and space. Just as their
music is seasoned with lots of tiny wonderful details, the CD
cover and booklet are full of funny, witty, and cute
illustrations that were created by Muller herself. This is an
excellent record and it makes me very happy, particularly now
that Belgians have something besides beer and waffles to get
excited about."
-
Laura Koffler, http://feministreview.blogspot.com/
“Aurelie
Muller and Thomas Van Cottom, combine forces with Louisville’s
Will Oldham with breathtaking results.
Delicate
and frail, Soy Un Caballo’s (‘I am a horse’ in Spanish)
music is calm and uplifting. Crossing Sufjan Stevens-esque
harmonies with boss nova guitars Muller’s childlike,
crystalline vocals soar high over a light shimmer of melody and
beats whilst Oldham’s deep husky harmonies – all the better
for being sung in French – only add to the magical, dreamlike
quality of the album.
With
its seemingly minimalist approach to music - with guitars, piano
and shuffling drums guiding the listener through this absolute
gem of a release - it comes as a surprise to find help from
members of Beirut, The High Llamas and Raymundo.
However
this is where its charm lies, for it is clear to see that tracks
such as ‘Volet’, ‘Au Ralenti’ and ‘La Raision De Plus
Fort’ have all been put together with exquisite care and
attention to detail. From the rich choral harmonies to the tinny
computer loops, there is no unnecessary note, no spare lyric.
Cottom and Muller have managed to astonish and awe with their
heady mixture of fantasy and reality breathing life and sunshine
into this wonderful release.”
-
Charlotte Otter, NewNoise.net
Sous Les Paupières