Last year, Montreal singer-songwriter Philippe Mourani released his sophomore album, What I Saw Is History, under his Eternal Mourning moniker. The project encompasses many styles from folk to spaghetti western to rock to grunge to indie, so there really is something there for everyone. Yet, it’s a beautifully reimagined version of album track ‘Eroded Reef’ that has captured our attention with its languid folk-rock strings, psychedelic textures and bruised, stadium-worthy vocals.
Originally a four and a half minute effort, ‘Eroded Reef‘ was hand-picked by Mourani from the record to be re-packaged for radio, but rather than simply chopping off a full minute, he decided to take this opportunity to create something new and fresh. By delicately reconstructing this song, the musician gave both himself and listeners a chance to re-explore the central themes of how people’s emotional state can change with time, pressure and extraneous circumstances. Much like the reef ecosystems, our hearts can be transformed under the right (or wrong) conditions.
Even though this version is technically shorter, at three minutes and seventeen seconds, it feels no less unhurried. Mourani‘s voice is distinctly patient as he draws out each word with purpose, in a way that’s reminiscent of Radiohead’s ‘The Tourist’ or Elbow’s ‘Lover’s Leap’. His lyrics come back to the same image, “wave after wave, eroded we laid”, as well as the repeated question, “do you feel the same?”. The exhaustion and detachment are apparent as this track conveys the quiet ache of drifting apart, as opposed to the sudden pain of heartbreak.
The end of ‘Eroded Reef‘ is signalled by a solitary wail, which could represent a final breakdown, a last attempt to fix things, a simple cry of frustration, and yet it’s left up to the listener to interpret. What is without question is Philippe Mourani‘s ability to fully immerse his audience in the emotional and musical world he’s so carefully crafted here.
You can also find ‘Eroded Reef’ in our Outsiders Club playlist.
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