JIRFIYA: Still Waiting (ROCK): review / opinion to read on Music Waves

It didn't take 76 years to see the comet Jirfiya come back with a new album. Strong of an EP which had comforted the group to take over from Born From Lie put in silence a little in the manner of late Porcupine Tree (without saying it too much but we suspect it), Jerome and his band leave in space in the middle of stars with "Still Waiting". The band retains this appetite to evoke societal themes such as the exploitation of man by man, migratory movements and the treatment of migrants, growing inequalities, the environment, against a back of heavy metal to accentuate emotions and convey their resentment of a world in perdition.

"Waiting For Dawn" was a successful trial despite the apprehension of each member to take the risk of launching into the unknown and forming a new band. So what better way to get the message across than to play on contrasts? If we find the same heavy flavor as in "Waiting For Dawn", this one progresses and is refined. This foundation is illustrated by two rereadings of Born From Lie's album "The Promised Land" which gives a whole new perception of the songs not only by Ingrid's contribution to the vocals but also by emphasizing even more their progressive aspect ('Live With That Voice').

The way the songs are composed and arranged is clever, with the acoustics being more present in powerful tracks like 'Silently' or in more emotional pieces like the ballad 'The Hill Of Shame'. From the introductory track ('Silently'), one feels the desire to fill the listener's ears with emotion. This introduction is surprising with its variations and changes of atmosphere after its arpeggiated introduction, a furious first half, a more atmospheric movement and a Dantesque finale where the rhythm is unleashed thanks to the new drummer Nico who does a remarkable job throughout the album. The care on the vocal lines seems to have been even more at the center of the album so much Ingrid is pushed in her retrenchments, alternating anger and fragility ('This is My Home' and her somewhat oriental passage), and whose emotional climax is embodied in 'The Hill Of Shame'.

In addition to this work on the voices, musically one feels the band well in place and melodically in progression with accomplished pieces and a perfectly found balance. The rhythmic work is perfect with a bass well present, but it is necessary to underline the very pretty passages to the melodic guitar ('House Of Poison',) which leave free rein to the imagination.

"Still Waiting" is the album that confirms all the potential we felt in Jirfiya. The band frees itself a little more from its influences to find its own style by relying on a more assured voice while continuing to enjoy the contrasts. This record is both poignant and terribly exhilarating both in form and substance. - Official website

JIRFIYA

STILL WAITING

AUTRE LABEL

ROCK