Album review: Raoul Vignal – ‘Years In Marble’: a solid third chapter in an accomplished songwriting career

A SMALL miracle of the independent European songwriting scene, Raoul Vignal is now presenting his third album.

From his beginnings, more influenced by Nick Drake’s bucolic soundscapes, he has indeed moved to more elaborate arrangements, displaying all the nuances of contemporary chamber-folk. Ideally placed between the lyrical bleakness of Red House Painters and Big Thief (“Heart Of A Lake”) and the mellower expression of Kings Of Convenience (“Moonlit Visit”), Raoul has actually developed a sound that’s immediately recognisable.

Years In Marble is a beautiful confirmation of Vignal’s skills as a songwriter, as he excels at restless mantras (“Summer Sigh”) as much as he does with colorful arpeggio melodies (“City Birds”). The record feels lush in its introspection: Raoul’s characteristic inquisitive patterns seem like a painting in development (“Silence”, the beautiful “To Bid The Dog Goodbye”). It sounds like there are not many songwriters around who can pen a “classic” folk song like “Red Fresco”.

The breath of passion and urgency exhales throughout the record, despite Raoul’s restrained style (“Century Man”), palpable in all chord progressions. With such a solid third album, there is no point denying that we are witnessing one of the most accomplished careers in contemporary songwriting.

Raoul Vignal’s Years In Marble will be released digitally, on CD, and on trad back and marbled vinyl by Talitres on May 28th; you can order your copy over at his Bandcamp page.