Corridor – ‘Mimi’ album review: A rich and ambient spin on contemplative maturity
THE SKINNY: Despite being considered one of the most intelligent animals, cats have an innate clumsiness that speaks to the perils of human existence. They’re inquisitive and a little annoying but lovable all the same. Corridor may boast the same kind of allure in their new album’s fresh packaging, yet it’s the music within that makes it worth staying for.
With age comes a heightened scrutiny of life’s peculiarities as we find ourselves increasingly drawn to the intricacies of its administrative nature. Corridor’s Mimi puts these moments of self-reflection under the microscope under an effortless guise of psychedelia, alongside their inherent Montreal charm. The more you listen to Mimi, the better it gets as Corridor contemplate and tackle maturity from various angles.
As a result, it almost feels as though the album would feel more appropriate beginning with ‘Mourir Demain’, which was written by Jonathan Robert after realising he was slowly planning his death through explicitly mundane activities, like comparing life insurance and writing wills to make sure their child would always be protected should anything happen to them.
The chaos that infiltrates the album seems more easily embraceable than you might expect, as they endeavour to achieve a seemingly impossible by circulating the feeling of something real without ever quite hitting it. While some may interpret this to be lacking in meaning, Corridor use it to their advantage by creating a complex web of emotions that becomes free for the listener to take as they please.
Growing older may parallel feeling restricted, but Mimi dances around the subject as if the band know it well. By the time the final notes have faded, Corridor have taught us to view maturity as something trivial that only exists as much as we enable it. The passage of time often closes doors, but this is an album where age means growth, and growth means anything is possible.
For fans of: Those wondering why staying in and drinking tea seems a lot more appealing than hitting the town.
A concluding comment from a neighbour: “What is that, French?”
Mimi track by track:
Release Date: April 26th | Producer: Joojoo Ashworth | Label: Sub Pop
‘Phase IV’: There’s a certain drone to life that begins to get louder as you get older. ‘Phase IV’ applies this monotony as the foundation for flourishing the accompanying arrangements. Sometimes, the unmistakable flatness will always be there, but it’s a part of you as much as the chaos is. [3/5]
‘Mon Argent’: The electronic background of additional full-time band member Samuel Gougoux shines in ‘Mon Argent’, a song which tackles the strangeness of trying to generate income by making music. “Nothing is more abstract, insecure, and random than a musician’s income,” Robert explains. This track pinballs its various, sometimes contradictory arrangements in a way that gets you thinking. [3/5]
‘Jump Cut’: A song that truly shows off the individual capabilities of each band member, ‘Jump Cut’ is an intriguing piece of psychedelic chaos that takes all of post-punk’s lasting appeal and reframes it to fit Corridor’s perfect future-gazing vision. [3.5/5]
‘Caméra’: Many of the tracks on Mimi sound unforgiving, but in a way that lets you in on the secret. ‘Caméra’ is particularly interesting as it tackles today’s digital-first world, but what’s perhaps the most intriguing aspect is the song’s melody. This might be Corridor at their most sweet and accessible, but the authenticity at its core never wanes. [4/5]
‘Chenil’: Corridor might be one of the most skilled bands for creating a melting pot of various sounds that, theoretically, shouldn’t mix. However, the ambient vibes, rhythmic motor beats, and rich harmonies operate in tandem to create some of the most musically dense sounds imaginable. [3/5]
‘Porte Ouverte’: Mimi wouldn’t be complete without an obvious nod to 1960s psychedelic rock. ‘Porte Ouverte’ is graceful in its nostalgic embrace without feeling derivative, weaving intricate layers of sound reminiscent of a bygone era. [4/5]
‘Mourir Demain’: ‘Mourir Demain’ is as cinematic as you might expect, with a guitar part that immediately draws you in before dispersing into something more serene yet hauntingly beautiful, evoking images of vast landscapes and bittersweet memories. As the guitar part fades into the arrangements, it leaves a lingering sense of introspection and wonder. [3.5/5]
‘Pellicule’: For an album closer, ‘Pellicule’ is stunningly delicate, with its ethereal instrumentation and tender vocals gently guiding you into a natural state of tranquillity. [3.5/5]
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