Akhenaton - Astéroïde

On May 29, 2020, Akhenaton released Astéroïde, an album that marks a significant turning point in his solo career. Away from his usual stage and during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the artist finds himself facing a mirror, where his words, doubts, and relationship with the world are reflected with unprecedented clarity. The album is entirely produced by Just Music Beats, whose signature sound becomes a force of cohesion, but also a source of artistic tension.

The unified production of Just Music Beats

Just Music Beats, present on every track, asserts its presence on Astéroïde with a rigor reminiscent of classic sampling. Its approach, centered on sampling, creates a dense and sometimes unsettling soundscape, as if the album itself is an assemblage of fragments from a decaying world. The production is not just technical; it becomes a distinct entity, often more present than Akhenaton's vocals. On Astéroïde, the title track, the samples are strung together with almost mathematical logic, giving the track a rhythm that seems deliberately out of sync with the urgency of the moment.

The few collaborations

While Just Music Beats dominates the production, the featured artists remain limited to a few tracks. For example, the appearance of Infinit' and Veust on O’straniere brings an unexpected lyrical dimension: their voices, softer and more introspective, contrast with Akhenaton's direct style, creating a dialogue that broadens the emotional range of the track. Similarly, Storytellers and its version Flip the Verses benefit from the presence of Napoleon da Legend, whose verses seamlessly integrate into Akhenaton's flow without ever disrupting the balance of the track. These collaborations, though rare, are not mere decorations; they serve a specific narrative purpose.

Creating in confinement

The album was created in a climate of uncertainty and social tension. The themes explored by Akhenaton range from a reflection on isolation, to questions about the consequences of the virus, and an implicit critique of the way the world has reacted to this crisis. For example, on La Peur, Akhenaton's words flow with a near-silent violence, as if fear itself is an obstacle to speech. The album thus becomes a testament to the era: not a historical document, but an intimate resonance of a moment when certainties had crumbled.

Decoding key tracks

Among the standout tracks on Astéroïde, Mon texte, le savon, Part.IV stands out for its continuity with earlier songs by Akhenaton. This is a return to a series that has always been a cornerstone of his work. The track is less of an anthem and more of an introspection: Akhenaton uses it to explore his own contradictions, as if the isolation has forced him to confront himself. O’straniere, on the other hand, fits into a more experimental vein, where the vocals of featured artists and the production of Just Music Beats blend to create an ethereal atmosphere that seems distinct from the rest of the album.

A cohesive sound

Astéroïde is an album that stands out for its sense of independence. There is no mention of external musical influences, and collaborations are limited to a few tracks. This does not detract from the quality of the project: on the contrary, it reinforces Just Music Beats' identity as an essential element of the album. The absence of external references is not a weakness, but a conscious decision that allows Astéroïde to exist as a self-contained work, without compromise or concession. This album is therefore less of a transitional piece, but rather a reflection of a unique moment: the time when Akhenaton chose to express himself in a changing world, accompanied by a producer who shared his need for control and cohesion.