Polychrome- Someday Progressive Voyages Review PV111

Polychrome- Someday Progressive Voyages Review PV111

Origin (France)

Released via Independent label

How do you journey through your day, what are your thoughts, actions and emotions? How do you relate to it all? This is the concept French band explore with their sophomore album ‘Someday’, following on from their debut album, ‘Equilibrium’, which explored the concept of an individual’s inner balance.

Polychrome was founded by brothers Simon (Keys) and Maxime Senizergues (guitars), as well as both being vocalists.

The band is-

Maxime Senizergues / Guitar, Vocals

- Simon Senizergues / Keyboards, Vocals

- Omar Nicho / Guitar, Vocals

- Sergio Santiago / Bass

- Loïck Tournois / Drums

The Brothers are both classically musically trained at the Paris conservatory and The American School of Modern Music. This is reflected in their love of the Beatles, King Crimson, Pink Floyd and XTC. The band features tight interplay between the two guitarists, and the tight and accomplished rhythm section underpin the sophistication inherent in the song writing. The tuneful complementary vocalists float over the music, lending to the dreamlike states constructed within.

The album features artwork that reflects the subject matter within, extending the individual experience of a day to the concept that every being on the planet lives these cycles, existing through trials, thoughts, tribulations and loves, ready to begin the next cycle.

L’Aurore.

A setting of the scene, in a seven beat meter, reflecting the weekly cycle, chanted weekday names with musical style that hint at the musical delights to follow. A keyboard wash opens proceedings with a repeated single note guitar, which leads to a 1980s version King Crimson interlocked guitars. A crisp drum rhythm sets the day and week in motion. Major and minor chords foreshadow the twists and turns of the day to come.

I Feel Good.

A sunny start to the story. Awaken with a smile, start the day, and the album in an upbeat way. Romantic lyrics, hinting about a love that’s lost, or temporarily absent. The mood however is positive and is reflected in the music. A nice rolling guitar riff intertwines with keys and the harmony vocals. The refrain ‘I miss you’ is emphasised with moments of musical syncopation. An alternatively driving and floating song. The first of a number of fluid and lyrical guitar solos: this one builds in intensity and heaviness, leading to a jaunty, funky conclusion, embroidered with another consummate Rock guitar solo.

Daydreamer.

A plea to turn dreams to reality, for escape, at least for a while. Almost jazz style insistent but laid back guitar motif. Synthesiser stabs almost call and response, a sort of reveille to bring the daydreamer out of their reverie. Languid syncopated rhythms emphasis as if jolted from the mind being allowed to roam free in unfettered thoughts. The almost chanted vocal sections herein mimic the Insistent mesmeric flow of a daydream. Some very nice Steve Howe style guitar fills in this song.

The Dog and the Frog.

Friendly beasts form a band ( possibly based on the Polychrome itself!) and bring joy wherever they play! This has that 60s Psychedelic pop feel that is so redolent of sunny lazy days in find remembered times. Hazy clean guitar with 1960s style drum stylings. A nice almost Farfisa organ accompaniment pushes the song along. A sprightly keys and guitar solo embellishment the psychedelic mood. The lyrics are very reminiscent of those colourful words of that 1960s era. Pauses in the rhythm allow for emphasis of the vocals, and the guitar solo is fluid and lyrical itself, bringing to mind songs of that decade. The song itself a comes to a full stop, leading to-

Another Day.

Don’t wait for tomorrow! A reminder that life is too short, make plans, yes, but be spontaneous. No procrastination, Carpe Diem! An effective rolling ascending/descending guitar riff introduces the song and re occurs throughout. The musical mood suddenly becomes more insistent and anxious with double time drums over a more driving musical context. Then arrives the calming authoritative piano to bring the song back to the original form. Another Day paints a picture of the expectations both positive and less so of the day being experienced.

Le Crepuscule.

An ambient section that readies the character for twilight, the settling down ready for whatever night-time adventures await.

Give Me Five.

‘Move your body in Five’ - as a Prog fan this is de rigueur! Give your body to the beat, to the rhythm, to the eternal counting out of life. A mainly instrumental number, with clever drumming that simplifies the time signature to a very danceable beat. Opening with piano and cross stick snare hits, the song then picks up pace with a choppy funk style , all still instrumental. Then a synth wash with volume pedal controlled guitar, scattered spoken words builds back to the funk, replete with 60s style keyboard sounds. Another slower section, a 16ths hi-hat rhythm with vocal Melodies leads to the songs fade out.

Andy.

A story of one who’s their own worst enemy, when one has too much time to think after the most joyous of times. A call for the subject to believe in themselves and our protagonist, to gain a measure of calm from the mental anguish they live day to day. A Pensive synth entry leads to stately piano that guides the vocals. A Wonderful guitar motif that uses unexpected but very Proggy chord patterns, that leads to a mid paced song full of masterfully tuneful Prog musical sections. An ambient glissando guitar leads to a heavier guitar Prog riff section, that is Polychrome at their most redolent of King Crimson , complete with A Fripp style guitar extravaganza. The song concludes with a piano and That Prog guitar solo concluding with a piano refrain of the main guitar riff, pensive, wistful, Yet hopeful. The longest track and tour de force of the album.

Remember.

An exhortation to remember the magic and joy of discovery in childhood. A call to embrace your inner child after the scars hard-won in life, to remover magic and joy, and have fulfilment in this. Beginning with gentle piano and vocal, leading to the accomplished melody- fragile, vulnerable, yet positive and sure. Nice use of a Capella sections and fretless bass.

L’Aube.

The wheel turns, the cycle re-begins with longing in the air. Let’s hope that for the protagonist that ’Someday’ becomes ‘Today. Beginning with those jazzy toned guitars, falsetto vocals and a driving beat, the musical tone of L’Aube reflects the positive longing demonstrated in the lyrics. A keyboard solo that will delight the hardest hearted Prog fan embellishes the song, and leads to a long fade out, reflecting that the cycles that we live repeat and renew endlessly.

This is a breezy, dream-like, tasteful and sophisticated album, presenting a positive optimistic view of dealing with the trials and triumphs we each face every 24 hour cycle. The level of musicianship displayed here is second to none and It is a very thoughtful, both lyrically and musical album, with every element therein thoughtfully placed. There is no excess in the songs, everything there is essential to the story and concept. Highly recommended.

Info here: Someday | Polychrome https://share.google/u2kyO4gsNfw5UqSHj

Author – Mike Burgess.

Friday 23rd January 2026.