Marius W. Arcadio – Belém
The French singer-songwriter Marius W. Arcadio released the fairly standard indie-rock flair Belém in 2019, via the label Silent Sling©. While the album boasts an impressive, lush soundscape, and a recognisable lead singer, it failts to differentiate itself from the multitude of folk-rock records available in the modern age.
Face Full of Smiles is a noteworthy piece; the hushed, graceful vocals are the ultimate complement to Aradio’s sublime, moody acoustics. The fuzzy crescendo towards the end demonstrates that the artist is clearly capable of expanding upon his pieces in a sophisticated, and meaningful manner. Arcadio’s vocals are easily the highlight of Belém; while the vocals are sadly buried in the mix, each delivery is enhanced by his raspy pitch and recognisable French accent.
Belém is by no means a bad album, it simply lacks identity. It sounds far too similar to the overwhelming majority of lo-fi indie records on Bandcamp and the fringes of major streaming services. One can only hope the artist takes more risks or incorporates more instrumentals and genres into his next effort.
Average
Listen to it here:
Marius W. Arcadio – Belém
