Impatiences Nocturnes: A Chaotic, Glittering Mess You Didn’t Know You Needed
Alright, buckle up, because Impatiences Nocturnes by Various is one of those albums that feels like it was stitched together in a dimly lit Parisian basement during an all-nighter fueled by cheap wine and existential dread. Released in 2010 under the label Association SADE (yes, not the singer—don’t get confused), this French gem dives headfirst into a chaotic mix of genres and styles. We’re talking Alternative Rock, Goth Rock, Indie Rock, Garage Rock, Synth-pop, New Wave, Post-Punk, Electro… you name it. It’s basically a musical buffet where everything clashes but somehow works. Like wearing combat boots with a sequined dress.
Now, let’s talk tracks. With over 30 songs on this album, there’s bound to be something that sticks. For me, two stood out like neon graffiti on a crumbling wall: "Mental Pop-Up (S.A.D.E. Mix By Arco)" and "Voices."
First off, “Mental Pop-Up.” Oh man, this track hits like a caffeine spike at 3 AM when you’re already wired from staring at your ceiling for hours. The synths are sharp enough to cut glass, and the beat has this relentless energy that makes you want to either dance wildly or pace around your room muttering about life choices. There’s something hypnotic yet unsettling about it—it’s like listening to someone else’s fever dream. And honestly? That’s what makes it unforgettable. It’s weird, twitchy, and kind of brilliant.
Then there’s “Voices,” which feels like the polar opposite. This one creeps up on you like a shadow in foggy streetlights. The vocals are haunting without being overly dramatic, and the instrumentation builds slowly, layer by layer, until you’re drowning in atmosphere. It’s moody as hell, perfect for late-night drives or pretending you’re the protagonist in some indie film no one’s ever heard of. If “Mental Pop-Up” is the chaos of a crowded club, “Voices” is the quiet afterparty where everyone’s too tired to leave but still can’t stop talking.
What’s wild about Impatiences Nocturnes is how unapologetically messy it is. Some tracks feel unfinished, others sound like experiments gone gloriously wrong, and a few just seem to exist because why not? But that’s also its charm. It doesn’t try to fit neatly into any box; instead, it sprawls across multiple ones, spilling over the edges. It’s raw, imperfect, and occasionally baffling—but isn’t that what rock ‘n roll (and its many bastard children) should be?
So yeah, if you’re looking for polished perfection, maybe skip this one. But if you’re into music that feels alive—even when it’s stumbling drunk through the dark—this album might just become your new guilty pleasure. Or maybe not so guilty. Who says art needs to make sense anyway?
Final thought: Listening to Impatiences Nocturnes feels like flipping through a stranger’s diary while they’re still writing it. Messy, intimate, and kinda beautiful. Now excuse me while I go listen to “Voices” again and pretend I have my life together. Spoiler alert: I don’t.
