Akhenaton - Black Album

Akhenaton's Black Album is a hybrid record where cinematic production sits alongside technical rap, sprinkled with collaborations from established stars. Created after Sol Invictus, this recording marks a break in the artistic approach of IAM member Akhenaton, influenced by the opinions of his close friends rather than following his usual instinct. The album bears the mark of a dark period marked by the death of singer Aaliyah and global events such as the September 11 attacks, as well as personal difficulties that led Akhenaton to not participate in the final mastering.

An eclectic sonic architecture between initial tracks and film scores

The album alternates between tracks originally recorded for the previous record Sol Invictus and two tracks from film soundtracks, creating a varied but sometimes dissonant soundscape. Production is signed by a multitude of names: Akhenaton, Akos, DJ Ralph, Sébastien Alfonsi, Alexandre Desplat, Bruno Coulais, and DJ Elyes. This diversity creates a contrast between original tracks and film scores, notably from The Wasp Nest and I Wanted to Say It.

Petite Apocalypse and L'Esprit de vos cimeterres: the raw energy of the beginning

Introductory tracks like "Petite Apocalypse" and "L'Esprit de vos cimeterres" set the tone with raw energy that characterizes the first half of the album. These songs serve as mandatory entry points to understand the tension between the intensity of the start and reviews suggesting fatigue in the second half. However, this initial dynamic proves fragile when faced with productions deemed lacking surprise by some observers.

To Touch God…: a pivotal track with specific production

The song "À vouloir toucher Dieu…" produced by Sébastien Alfonsi stands out as a pivotal track within the album's architecture. Its presence illustrates the variety of sonic approaches adopted for this project, blending personal elements with more structured composition. This track contributes to the balance between original contributions and those stemming from external collaborations.

Paranoïa feat. Soprano: added star dimension to the track

The song "Paranoïa" welcomes the presence of a major figure in French rap, Soprano, who adds a star dimension to the track. This collaboration with an MC known for his technical lyrics and distinct style enriches the album's soundscape by bringing a new layer of complexity. Soprano's voice contrasts with Akhenaton's, creating an interesting complementarity within the track's dynamics.

Bionic MC's feat. Mic Forcing: a technical and distinctive collaboration

Bionic MC's brings to the fore a collaboration with an MC known for his technical lyrics and distinct style: Mic Forcing. This guest adds his own flow and personality to the track, bolstering the album's stature by featuring an influential figure in French rap. Mic Forcing's technique integrates seamlessly into the production, offering an interesting contrast against other tracks.

The track "Ancient Scriptures" features a rapper from the French scene, Bruizza, who contributes his own flow and personality to the song. This collaboration broadens the sonic horizons of the album by introducing a new vocal register. Bruizza's presence helps diversify the artistic approaches explored on Black Album.

With a more balanced tracklist, Akhenaton's Black Album would have been a true delight according to some critics. However, the relentless pace of the first half slows down, and enthusiasm wanes with improbable features and unremarkable productions. Critical reception remains mixed, oscillating between recognition of the work accomplished and regret over certain uniformity in the second half of the album.