Glowsun (FRA) - NOVÆ

Glowsun were the reason for several long journeys; be it Hellfest 2015 in Clisson, the "My Pig Whistles" festival in Lucerne in 2016, or BetiZfest in Cambrai in 2026. The concert at Hellfest turned us into fans, and the concert in Lucerne was a fan outing. At BetiZfest 2026, we were curious to see what the band had to offer after a 10-year hiatus. We were initially disappointed because there were no old songs to be heard. As the concert progressed, it became clear that Glowsun 2.0 had arrived, a sound that requires patience and quiet contemplation to fully appreciate the nuances of the repetitive riffs. Psychedelic doom describes this musical style quite accurately, as the riffs in the longer songs resonate with every imaginable color. Perhaps also because Johan is a fantastic graphic artist, I always heard colours and various art movements in Glowsun's music, from expressionism and graphic novels to cubism, to name just a few.

"NOVÆ" takes time to fully appreciate all facets of Johan's guitar and effects playing, the powerful and driving bass lines of François Hennecart, and the drumming of Yann Duvivier, which on the one hand provides the framework for the soundscapes, and on the other hand is a second guitar that mixes additional riffs into the color palette.

The opener "Changes" shows where this musical trip is headed; sitar sounds, almost an Indian atmosphere, lower the brain frequencies while listening, so that one can concentrate on following the different sounds and moods. In the following song, "Alive," tons of heavy doom riffs and sonic flourishes rain down from the effects board. The overall effect is drone-like, until the tension releases and the song concludes with a plodding doom riff. The key then shifts, making the challenging song more accessible without losing any of its power.

In the following four tracks, "Dryad's Tears," "Charly le chien," "Dementia," and the title track "NOVÆ2," I believe the experimental spirit takes precedence over song structures. These pieces resemble sound collages more than clearly structured songs. Sonically, these tracks are clearly rooted in psychedelia, while either the bass or the drums provide the monotony and heaviness of doom metal. This album is not easy listening; it requires several listens to properly appreciate the creativity that has accumulated over five years of inactivity. And the new album is not as accessible as its two predecessors; it requires patience to discover all its facets.

With this unwieldy and powerful work, Glowsun are strong contenders for Roadburn 2027.

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