Down The West Coast by Moon Construction Kit (Olivier Cornu) is extremely gentle, as is the beginning of something before it is about to speak the truth. Light Reed Sounds and Soft Guitar Tones come first. They are not rushed and allow the song to breathe out before anything else comes in or builds up.
What you are struck by is the care that is evident in everything. Olivier doesn't rush through the arrangement. The new sounds are added gradually and are spaced out from one another. The drums remain soft and understated, as if to not disturb anything. The song builds but doesn't ever become over crowded or over heavy at any point.
It is his voice that binds it all. It's straightforward and without any attempt at sounding impressive. It is as if someone is talking to themselves, attempting to decipher a feeling as it happens. Such candor gives power to the song and makes it believable.
Olivier admits he would like to be influenced by older pop songwriting that demands patience and meticulous arrangement. The concept of that is present all throughout this track. Backing vocals are not simply for show. They seem to be more like companions when the primary voice is in need of help, rather than a loud voice.
The end of the song has a more open and soft tone. The instruments recede and the music gets lighter once again, almost as if they were returning to where it began. It doesn't seem like a natural finish. It seems like it's fading out gradually, like a door opening but never closing, just changing.
The song is about searching and about moving forward even if you are not certain where you're going. Olivier is not being too forceful. He allows it to be in a natural simple manner. He's based in Lausanne and he still plays with a patient and careful sound, which is evident on this track.
