Review: Bend the Future – Sounds So Wrong

Style: Progressive Rock, Jazz Fusion, Crossover Prog, Krautrock (Clean vocals but about 70% instrumental)
Recommended for fans of: The Reign of Kindo, jazzy Steven Wilson, Thank You Scientist, Radiohead, Steely Dan 
Review by: Christopher
Country: France
Release date: 19 May, 2023

Trawl the progressive underground long enough and you’ll have heard it all. The wanky trad prog with spoken word, the atmoblack that claims to be prog but isn’t, the lo-fi doom that sounds like all the others, and the hordes of bands straight-up imitating their favourite band; they all become so routine that you start to be able to predict which category a band will fall into by their name alone. Genuine surprises—bands that can leave you grasping for adequate comparison—are rare. 

Sounds So Wrong is the third album from French quintet Bend the Future. A polished blend of progressive rock, jazz fusion, krautrock and electronica influences, the chilled-out interplay between piano, guitar and saxophone variously recalls the likes of Radiohead, Camel, Steely Dan, The Reign of Kindo, Steven Wilson, Alfa Mist—and yet the final product doesn’t sound derivative of any one of those bands; Bend the Future defy easy comparison. 

Synthesiser plays a significant role throughout the album, from thick distorted syncopation on “Jemlematür” to the moments of Tangerine Dream-esque ambient electronica sound of “Those Small Things”. This particular utilisation of electronica influences in a progressive rock context recalls Radiohead’s A Moon Shaped Pool. Meanwhile, saxophone—both soprano and alto—alternately face-off and collaborate throughout the album, often joined by sublime guitar solos, contemplative piano accompaniment, and an understated yet vital rhythm section of funk-inflected bass and impressively nuanced drumming. 

“Desert Eagle” kicks off proceedings with a surprisingly simple yet effective showcase of Bend the Future’s off-kilter relationship to melody and penchant for smooth soloing on an array of instruments. Meanwhile, “Vast” features a languid sax and vocal duet melody with an intense rhythm building underneath, injecting the repeating motif with new energies before giving over to a succession of sax solos, the honky alto followed by the reedy soprano. 

“Fall Apart” slides into a far more eerie canter, with sinister whispers that border on becoming harsh vocals, as does the first half of “Somewhere Beneath”; this darker vibe threatens to outstay its welcome, tempo and motifs seemingly stuck in a rut, until “Somewhere Beneath” shifts into a much-needed energetic gear. Indeed, more laidback tracks such as “Not Even” and “Fall Apart” whilst satisfying to listen to, nevertheless feel somewhat lacking when compared to the dynamic songs that comprise Sounds So Wrong’s standouts. I prefer it when Bend the Future go energetic and proggy but I’d be hard-pressed to find fault with these tracks other than that they’re simply less arresting than some of their companions. 

Fortunately, Bend the Future stick the landing with closer “Now is the Moment”: more of those dry, energetic vocals, skillful soloing, prettier backing vocals, a spacey, Floydian slide guitar motif, an Eastern folk section, and the bass synthesiser grooving beneath it all. This is Sounds So Wrong at its proggiest and best, delicately blending their various facets into one refined and superlative track. 

Sounds So Wrong is unlike anything I’ve heard in the prog sphere for some time now, an audacious blending of classic progressive rock sounds with contemporary jazz and ambient electronica influences, all with a krautrock gloss. While Bend the Future sometimes outshine their more ambient tracks with their proggier excursions, this nevertheless proves a thoroughly rewarding work which reveals more of its secrets with repeat listens. It might Sound(s) So Wrong, but it feels so right. 

Recommended tracks: Desert Eagle, Vast, Now is the Moment
You may also like: Esthesis, Smalltape, The Mercury Tree, Our Oceans
Final verdict: 7.5/10

Related links: Bandcamp | Spotify | Official Website | YouTube | Facebook | Instagram

Label: Tonzonen Records – Bandcamp | Facebook | Official Website

Bend the Future is:
– Samy Chëbre (piano, synthesizers, Rhodes)
– Piel Pawlowski (drums, percussion)
– Rémi Pouchain (bass, bass synthesizer)
– Pierre-Jean Ménabé (alto saxophone)
– Nemo Pawlowski (soprano saxophone)
– Can Yıldırım (vocals, guitar, bass)