Novelists is officially back. After a period of change and a constantly evolving identity, the French band returns with Coda, a title that suggests closure... but actually opens a new era with force. It not only marks the debut of Camille Contreras as lead vocalist, but also a bold shift in the group's sound and emotional narrative.
From the first chords of the eponymous track, "Coda," a clear intention is perceived: Novelists doesn't want to repeat formulas. The opening is direct, with polished production and sharp guitars that blend with a voice capable of navigating between ferocity and ethereality. Camille doesn't imitate or replace its predecessors; it stamps its identity with authority and sensitivity. The result is a progressive metalcore that is more emotional than technical, more atmospheric than mechanical.
One of the highlights comes with "All For Nothing," a song that seems to exude a contained sadness. Here, the band moves away from traditional breakdowns to explore a more open structure, where silences carry as much weight as screams. The song evolves like a wound that refuses to heal: slow, melodic, devastating. It's in these kinds of songs that "Coda" shines.
However, the album isn't afraid to take unexpected detours. In "Curse of the Witch," Novelists introduces rap-like sections, electronic effects, and a chorus that seems straight out of alternative pop. It's an experiment that's disconcerting and divisive: some see it as a show of daring, others as a crack in the album's overall cohesion.
The second half of the album maintains a constant tension between the brutal and the contemplative. Tracks like "K.O." deliver the direct punch that heavier fans expect, while other, more introspective pieces play with layers and textures, revealing a band unafraid to show vulnerability. In this contrast—between the muscle of the riff and the whisper of the delay—Coda finds its most sincere voice.
Production-wise, the album is impeccable. Each instrument occupies its space with surgical precision, without overshadowing the voice, which remains the heart of this new chapter. Despite some ups and downs in the transition between styles and tracks, the whole manages to maintain a coherent emotional narrative.
Novelists, en Coda, no busca gustar a todos. Busca desafiar. Busca reconstruirse. Y en ese proceso, nos regala un álbum imperfecto pero valiente, que cierra una etapa y abre otra donde el riesgo vale más que la repetición.
