SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: JEAN-MICHEL JARRE – OXYMOREWORKS

JEAN-MICHEL JARRE
OXYMOREWORKS
SONY MUSIC

Jean-Michel Jarre is a pioneer in the field of electronic music. Along with Brian Eno, Kraftwerk and Tangerine Dream, among others, he created a whole new genre. In 2022, he released OXYMORE in which he paid tribute to French artist Pierre Henry, with whom he was working. Henry passed away but left behind some pieces of music. Jarre finished the album, which became OXYMORE. A beautiful album and a wonderful tribute, OXYMOREWORKS is a reworking of that album with some very special guests to help him. Jarre has enlisted a different artist for each track to give their treatment to the original songs, and it works. In some ways, this may even be better than the original.

The album opens with “Brutalism Take 2” featuring Martin Gore. This is an aggressive electronic piece that comes out of the speakers and instantly grabs the listener’s attention. Brian Eno contributes to “Epica Extension”, and to hear these two legendary electronic musicians together is stunning. They have worked together before and with this song, their teaming up is nothing short of brilliance. Deathpact’s take on “Brutalism Reprise” is a highlight of the project.

Jarre is a brilliant artist who works very well with others. Collaboration allows his music to expand, and he brings in different styles which create a very different feel. Of course, in the end it is still a Jarre album, but the collaborations always work in his favour. This is an artist who has nothing to prove, and yet he continues to strive for new sounds and styles.

This keeps his music current and always interesting. OXYMOREWORKS is a case in point. The original, OXYMORE, was brilliant but this album expands on his themes and his sounds.

Jean-Michel Jarre is an innovator, and that has never stopped during his long career. Once again Jarre proves that he can, once again, astound listeners with new and exciting music, even if it is a redux of an older album.

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