Laylow has just released his brand new album,
The Curious History of Mr. Anderson
.
A musical project just as encrypted and full of references as
Trinity
, released in 2020.
Short film, concept album, duality… The keys to entering the world of Laylow.
It was arguably the most anticipated rap album of the summer, and it wasn't long before Laylow fans were on PLS. After having marked the spirits with
Trinity
in 2020 (considered by some critics as the best musical project of the year), the artist unveiled this Friday at midnight, the 20 tracks of
The strange story of Mr. Anderson
. An album once again very confusing, which contrasts with the more classic productions that dominate the rankings of streaming platforms.
Encrypted and crammed with musical or cinematographic references, the album deserves special attention for its listening.
If Laylow deals with themes such as police violence or domestic violence, he especially deploys a whole new dark universe, fantastic and very introspective, which requires some keys to understanding.
Clues sown by the rapper before the release of this musical experience.
A concept album
“I know it's summer, that you want to listen to rubbish, but let's focus. “This is how, on the eve of the release
,
Laylow distributed his advice to his subscribers on social networks, as Mouv.fr reports. Setpoint ? “No shuffle. "In the image of
Trinity
,
The Curious Case of Mr. Anderson
is as a concept album, with its own universe and consistency between all the titles. It can therefore be listened to in one go, from the first to the last track. An original bias in the age of streaming, where the consumer discovers songs disconnected from their album through playlists or random plays.
Interspersed with numerous interludes, the pieces thus unroll a single story, that of Jey, a lost, melancholy man, who lives in a violent, leaden universe, where the shrill cries of crows resonate.
A character who is none other than Laylow himself (Jérémy Larroux of his real name), and whose fate will change with the appearance of a mysterious voice.
But to fully understand it, better to have seen
The Curious History of Mr. Anderson
, the eponymous film which preceded the album by a few weeks.
The extension of a short film
At the beginning of June, the rapper unveiled a short film written by himself, a kind of introduction to the musical project. In this twenty-minute video, directed by Osman Mercan, we find this character of Jey, in the guise of Laylow, and this same dark world, very strongly inspired by the universe of Tim Burton. Other cinematographic references are hidden there, such as
Fight Club
and
Get Out
, as the artist recently revealed to
Vogue
, and which are also all present in the album.
The pitch of the film?
An initiatory journey, an inner quest, the story of a lost young man, until the decisive meeting.
Because the film contains above all the main key to understanding this complex and complete project: the identity of Mr. Anderson.
A pressing and threatening shadow that haunts and abuses him, and who is ultimately none other than his alter ego.
Laylow's duality
“I gave myself this second blaze, a long time ago, when I was doing other creative things, for example instrumentals, or videos, he developed with
Vogue
. At first it was like hiding, I think. Then I wanted to honor this hidden side in the new album, so I gave a voice to Mr. Anderson, and then there it was, it was gone. I think
The Curious History of Mr. Anderson
is a very personal album, so let's say Anderson acted as a mirror for me… I hope other people can see their own reflection in it. "
A sort of modern-day Doctor Jekyll and Mister Hyde that Laylow reinvents in his own way, making this evil double a liberating voice.
“It's not the end that counts, it's the way, the key.
Your way.
This is your story.
So write it down.
No matter the cost.
Even if it is… strange ”, dictates Mr. Anderson to him on the last track of the album.
A project to listen to and listen to again to grasp all the subtleties and virtuosity of the rapper, definitely one of the most creative of his time.
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