Qui d'autre que l'autre (Lazuli, 2023)

 Lazuli, a French prog rock band whose first album was released back in 1999, wrote and performed excellent music, including many complex and unpredictable songs (even if they don't like long tracks), but - will they excuse me? - I'm definitely in love with this song: an intense, fascinating ballad. It comes from their 2023 album simply titled "11". 

This is the 10th studio album, but there was also an acoustic

collection of previous released songs, so they're right: that's 11!

The crescendo plot starts with a deep, even sensual tone and grows up and up until a rather floydian guitar solo that's simply perfect. The musical theme is beautiful, sharp and catchy (no, this is not a deadly sin) and Dominique Leonetti's vocal rendition comes like a kick inside the guts of the listener. As usual with them, this is more an inner trip than a song and I like to explore my own soul following such a brilliant guiding star.

J'ai trové ta faille (Lazuli, 2014)

Lazuli is one of the most inetersting French bands from the years 2000s. This "J'ai trouvé ta faille" (that's to say "I found your weak point") comes from the album "Tant que l'herbe est grasse" ("Until the grass is puffy") and is a charming track, IMHO. Featuring a beautiful melody and a good mix of folk, neo-prog and electronic devices, this song has a discreet and growing strength, even before guest vocalist Fish comes in for the last verse in English.

"Tant que l'herbe est grasse" was the sixth studio album by Lazuli.

The emotional crescendo  of the track is exciting, but these musicians never show off and look after every details of their music, with a keen and subtle craft that's not at all common nowadays. I suppose that's why they constantly progressed from their early records to the latest ones. And that's why this is an accomplished song I highly recommend.