Montag may be Antoine Bédard’s solo project, but on Going Places, he’s definitely not alone. Bédard gets a lot of help from his friends, which altogether, are an indie pop all-star team. Anthony Gonzales, Amy Millan, Owen Pallet, Au Revoir Simone, and Victoria Legrand (among others) lend a helping hand on his lush, electronic-pop album.
Going Places is a relatively quiet album, but not without its eccentricities. Like a downtempo DJ set, the album is full of sporadic synthetic noise and complex rhythms while maintaining a low-key vibe. The opening track, "I Have Sound" is a slow whisper and orchestral surge, as if Bédard’s awakening to the concept of controlling his own sound. The next track, "Best Boy Electric" is a giddy, innocent synth party. "Alice" is a buzzing, swirling romp, featuring vocals in French. "Softness, I Forgot Your Name" is a string-plucking saunter, and provides smooth relief from the dominating electronics. There are several flavors in each unassuming bite.
For such a widely collaborative effort, Going Places manages to stay whole as a low-key exploration of digital smoothness. It’s mostly calm, but not without bright surges of energy, and the electronic landscape is a flower-covered valley. It’s soothing, playful, and somewhat psychedelic. Pleasant all around.