Sécheresse by Sophia Djebel Rose
▼ Sophia Djebel Rose - Sécheresse
無情 愛人與湍流之歌
A co-release of WV Sorcerer Productions, Oracle, and Ramble Records
Austere yet baroque, dark yet luminous, raw yet refined, Sécheresse unveils nine mesmerizing, genre-defying tracks imbued with a magnetic allure.
While drawing on experimental rock with its saturated riffs and intoxicating drones, the soul of this opus also lies in the folk tradition, borrowing pastoral themes and a sense of commitment — often steeped in profound darkness.
Beyond any categorization, this album is an act of faith.
Definitely to be classified among the unclassifiable, it is with fervor and thoroughness that Sophia Djebel Rose lays the groundwork, that registers in the wake of sensitive female pioneers who shattered the stylistic boundaries.
FFO: Nico, Catherine Ribeiro, Emma Ruth Rundle, Marissa Nadler…
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Of Franco-Moroccan heritage, Sophia Djebel Rose developed a love for poetry at a young age. As a child, she dreamed of becoming a writer to capture the beauty of the land that she constantly left behind, caught in the perpetual exile of a childhood shared between two countries. Later, she pursued studies in literature and philosophy. However, at 23, after earning her teaching qualifications, she made the bold decision to leave everything for a nomadic life. To take risks, embrace radical choices, and taste the dust. Because, for her, poetry holds meaning only when lived through action.
This transformative decision led to years of wandering. Sophia traveled across Europe, the Maghreb, and the Middle East, performing with the experimental folk duo An Eagle in Your Mind, where she sang and played the Indian harmonium. Without formal musical training, her work was guided entirely by instinct and conviction. She learned the craft of singing through experience, and from countless performances in underground clubs, what she retained is a deep appreciation for possibilities and an unfailing love for life on the fringes.
Eventually, driven by the desire to explore even further, Sophia embarked on a solo journey. With a guitar in hand, she began composing her first songs in French. In 2020, she released two tracks through Reverb Worship, an English label known for its ultra-limited editions of weird folk gems. In 2022, Sophia self-produced her debut album, Métempsycose, which garnered critical acclaim from numerous reviews, The Wire, Bandcamp, Klof Mag, Shindig, Rock&Folk, Les InrocksBlog, and Moof Mag... She brought the album to life onstage, performing over a hundred shows across Europe, including appearances at Grauzone Festival, Les Ateliers Claus, A38, and Le Sonic.
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All songs written, performed, and produced by Sophia Djebel Rose
(lyrics, guitars, vocals, back vocals, harmonium, modular synth & other sounds)
Except “Blanche Biche” (traditional)
Recorded & mixed by Raoul Canivet
Mastered by Cyril Meysson
Cover photography by Sophia Djebel Rose
Design & layout by Ruò Tán
Haute Loire, Auvergne, France 2023 - 2024
Tracklist
| 1. | Au Verger | 1:38 |
| 2. | L'Homme au Costume Doré | 3:16 |
| 3. | Les Amandiers | 3:27 |
| 4. | Blanche Biche | 9:00 |
| 5. | Les Géants | 2:29 |
| 6. | Sécheresse | 11:12 |
| 7. | Chanson pour un Aimé | 0:38 |
| 8. | Pareille au Torrent | 3:00 |
| 9. | Les Noyés | 7:52 |
