Fort Romeau - Fantasia EP review | A lockdown fantasy
There is a duality to Fort Romeau’s new release ‘Fantasia’, an EP that takes its name from the Italian word for ‘fantasy’ and also the musical terminology for a composition with a free form. Emerging out of the lockdown, ‘Fantasia’ is a darkly magnetising fantasy that provides us with an insight to Fort Romeau’s inspiration and offers us his interpretation of ambient, techno and house music that shakes the dance floor to its core.
Each track is intensely hypnotic as the use of repeated motifs and the layering of sequences contributes to a feeling of suspense throughout the EP. The titular track is trance-like with its dreamy refrain, which falls like chimes. Although it gives way to a more forceful acid squelch halfway through, the chime-like motif is predominantly sustained throughout with an undertone of snares, leaving the track fraught with tension. ‘Fantasia’ is indeed a fitting name for this track, as it conjures up imagery of Fort Romeau’s fantasy realm, almost transcendental in nature with its shimmering melodies, continuously moving and thumping, before concluding with ethereal sirens and a sustained note that leaves you feeling almost exhausted by the experience.
The title of the next track, ‘Neuromance’, is presumably borrowed from the iconic 1984 cyberpunk novel, Neuromancer, by William Gibson. Similar to Fantasia’, Fort Romeau uses repeated motifs that are gradually introduced as he builds up a celestial soundscape, layer by layer. Gibson defines the term Neuromancer as a portmanteau of the words neuro, romancer and necromancer: “Neuro from the nerves, the silver paths. Romancer. Necromancer. I call up the dead.” Fort Romeau encapsulates Gibson’s sentiments within this track, which has a rich texture of flickering melodies and pulsing bass. It is ambient house at its most sublime.
The third and final track is a homage to pioneers Sunscreem and their alias, Annadin, the former of which is credited as a featured artist. It is an enchanting revamp of Annadin’s 1994 release ‘Angel’ and reimagines what was originally a bouncy tribal house tune, with a simple yet effective piano hook, as something darkly atmospheric. It maintains the signature piano hook, yet the added reverb, fresh bass and the emphasised synths transport you to a murky, chasmic dancefloor where you are carried away by the pulsating beats – it is repetitively mesmerizing. Fort Romeau has taken us back to the roots of UK progressive house with a track that makes us long for the dancefloor during lockdown.
‘Fantasia’ is a deeply atmospheric piece of work. Although it was at times in danger of being slightly boring due to the heavy use of repetition, it maintained a powerful mood throughout and is undeniably exquisite. If you’re looking for something vibey, and slightly nostalgic, to carry you through lockdown, then I highly recommend this.
Fantasia was released on Permanent Vacation on 24th April 2020