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Michèle Ducray - Single Review: Midnight

27 May 2021 // A review by Danica Bryant

As a self-professed “fan of the peculiar”, it’s somewhat surprising that Michele Ducray’s first single Midnight is such a carefully cut pop song. Midnight is an unusual but not unwelcome match to her intriguing magic and circus-themed branding. Ducray describes the song as “a tale of tragedy” during the isolation of New Zealand’s Covid-19 lockdowns, but its seductive production also highlights a sense of late-night romance.

Produced by pop power collaborators Devin Abrams and Simon Gooding, Midnight showcases an array of inventive sound effects, fitting the song to the modern mainstream. Midnight also manages to pack in some beautiful moments on the keys and synths, giving it an evocative and moving atmosphere.

Structurally, Midnight is extremely well-composed. Its verses lie low, followed by pre-choruses which hold their own thanks to their clean yet haunting melodies. Every chorus hits impressively hard, shining with its intensive vocal layering on the simple key lyric, “Won’t you hold me ‘till midnight?”. This effect puts Ducray’s singing on full display, all the more significant in its stunning choral harmony. Of particular note is the passionate outro, where Ducray’s vocals build to her command to “be free”. Where the listener expects another chorus, the song instead comes to a surprising yet satisfying close, keeping the final words of Midnight lingering in their mind.

Midnight is an enchanting debut for Christchurch’s 'Peter Pan' performer Michele Ducray. Listeners will be left overtaken by the song’s power, and curious to discover how she will experiment in her future work. Midnight deserves recognition with its widespread pop appeal, introducing Ducray as an exciting new voice in New Zealand music.

Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆ ( 4 / 5 )
 
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About Michèle Ducray

Originally from the humble shores of Durban, South Africa, Michèle Ducray is a versatile, fiery vocalist and singer-songwriter. She began writing and singing her own songs at the tender age of 11, whilst based overseas in China. Travelling to many different places around the world at such a young age, exposed her to a variety of music. She drew inspiration from these experiences, settling on an alternative pop sound and applied them to her own musical endeavours. When Michèle writes, she tends to draw from her own experiences in life and utilises this through metaphorical subconscious imagery, aiming to leave her audience feeling like they have lived through these moments, themselves.

After gaining a better understanding of musical theory, In 2019, Michèle sought to create a covers band to enhance her performance experience around Christchurch city, whilst writing and performing her original music to the side. She has since played local festivals, radio stations, clubs/bars and musical productions; with upcoming Spaced Out Sessions concerts being held at Grater Goods with 212 Music Group.

Deciding to breathe technical life into her own music, she reached out to popular music producers Devin Abrams and Simon Gooding, last year, whom both collaborated on her first single, Midnight, which is due to be released this May. Described as “super dope” by Tiki Taane and Big Sima, Midnight tells a tale of tragedy and the awareness of how isolated one can feel in times of uncertainty. This hauntingly, majestic piece was written during the COVID-16 lockdown period.

Visit the muzic.net.nz Profile for Michèle Ducray

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