Alcest premier new song 'Opale'

 

     French blackgaze mastermind Neige's project  Alcest have premiered a new song from their upcoming album Shelter, along with a music video. For a while, Alcest have been notable for scaling back their black metal elements - indeed, their 2010 opus Les Voyages de l'Ame featured harsh vocals as its only claim to fame, trading Ecailles de Lune's strident guitar work for dreamy instrumentals.
        Shelter is slated to be a pure shoegaze project, with Neige even going as far as to label the album (and, subsequently, Alcest) as dream-pop. 'Opale' is a prime example - it's still as chill-inducingly beautiful and warm as previous work, but brings a sweet sense of sunlight and hope with it as well. Be it through Neige's mumbled, muted vocals, or the echoing, ringing guitar, 'Opale' is as dreamy and soothing as it is exciting.
         Shelter will be released January 21st, and the date can't get here fast enough. You can stream the video for 'Opale' here.