Mining the same rich vein as cutting-edge German labels such as Rhythm & Sound or Scape, Molecule has devoted the last three years of his career to honing his experimental sound to perfection. And Suspicion, one of the purely instrumental tracks on Climax, illustrates just how far he has come in mastering digital dub techniques, alternating slow, hypnotic grooves with bursts of infra-bass.

Although Molecule has taken painstaking care with his compositions, the real work he achieved in the studio this time round was to fashion an overall envelope of sound, an overarching structure within which he indulges diverse stylistic inclinations ranging from free-style experimentation (Climax, Sirènes), Pink Floyd-style psychedelia (c.f. the brilliant intro to Lords) and a passion for reggae (Mistery Train). On another track, Bug, Molecule teams up with rap talent Leeroy from Saïan Supa Crew and proposes more of a straightforward pop ballad while on Stéréo he produces a dark, indolent trip-hop worthy of Massive Attack.

The most outstanding feature of Climax, however, is the unexpected introduction of guest vocalists on several tracks. Molecule manages to integrate the latter without distorting his own musical universe or that of his guests in any way. Charlélie Couture's gravelly vocals blend subtly amongst the bass notes of Sweet message while Arielle Dombasle adds a seductive half-purred, half-whispered note to the atmospheric Dolores. In short, Climax serves up a satisfying hour of inspirational, dream-like listening.