Lumiere Noire Presents From Above Vol. I (Various Artists)

In just a year of existence, Chloé's Lumière Noire has brought emerging artists and promising newcomers together; this first compilation of 13 brand new tracks expands the roster, expanding the label's eclectic vision. When Chloé talks about her label, she puts forward the fundamental values that informed her own musical journey, her own musical taste, and, of course, the predominance of human relationships: "I followed my bliss and only commissioned tracks from artists that I respect and whose music I love. That to me is Lumière Noire's musical palette." With this unmixed compilation, Chloé makes a case for a label aesthetic that is based in open-mindedness. Familiar Lumière Noire artists are represented, as are new faces, producing a kind of group photo presaging what's next for the fledgling label. Lyon's Markus Gibb leads the track listing with a deep chiaroscuro matching the label's ethos, followed by fellow mainstays Il Est Vilaine, with the band's usual electro-pop elegance. Sutja Gutierrez, who released his debut EP, The Legend of Time (LN 015EP, 2017) on Lumière Noire, pursues his electro- Shamanism, while Iñigo Vontier (whose Aluxes (LN 008EP, 2017) came out on the label) brings his C O N T R A project online, a further development in voodoo house. Elsewhere, Suuns lead singer Ben Shemie contributes a synthy, psych-pop debut that is as brilliant as it is surprising. Dutch producer Drvg Cvltvre brings uncompromising dark electro with the hypnotic and claustrophobic "Last Rites". Jonathan Fitoussi's airy, minimalism brings the respite of his Versatile Espaces Timbrés (2018). Benedikt Frey's deep techno track is on par with his Artificial (2017), while Bajram Bili, Théo Muller and Lumi, bring the compilation to a close. These audacious choices are anchored down with the likes of Permanent Vacation pioneer Lauer's hooky, '80s-infused style and Franck Agrario, half of English duo Swayzak's David Brown's project, weaves an ethno mood into "Grace"'s techno. Bringing together different generations, genres, and styles may not necessarily be Chloé's MO. She invokes a more arbitrary, personal logic: "I like to mix of-the-moment tracks and more timeless ones, but the rule is above all 'do I love this or not?'. That was my ethos when I started Lumière Noire". In that way, the label is definitely in keeping with it's time.