Prose Métallique is the sophomore solo album of Belgian, experimental alto sax player-improviser-educator Audrey Lauro, following Sous Un Ciel D’écailles (El Negocito, 2022), recorded closed-miked on one day at Sunny Side Inc Studio in Brussels in June 2023. Lauro is trained in composition, jazz and contemporary music. She then devoted her energies to experimental music and particularly to improvisation, constantly questioning the language of the alto sax, its phrases, including preparations, and its possibilities to create sonic events.

Lauro has been working on her solo practice for ten years and explored different extended breathing techniques and sonic scenarios before recording Sous Un Ciel D’écailles (Under the sky of Scales). She uses ‘everyday’ objects to prepare the instrument in a simple way that structures her unique kind of Prose Métallique. She offers seven pieces of what she calls sax chants, prose and sonic residues. In each piece, she suggests a distinct poetic approach to the alto sax language and textual references such as phrasing, articulation, punctuation, intonation and rhythm. Her approach is physical and often employs the alto sax as an otherworldly but vivid wind-based sonic generator that can sketch abstract yet quite visual, ethereal drones, orchestrate minimalist yet refined breaths and sing hypnotic, cinematic songs.

Lauro is totally possessed by the experimental solo practice, where her voice and instrument converge. The suggestive cover photo is by photographer Laurent Orseau.

Eyal Hareuveni

Audrey Lauro (alto saxophone, preparations)