Music is immense in its manifestations and in the way it influences imagination, atmosphere, and even life itself. Creating very conceptual and profound music is something that -ii- [pronounced ‘Two Eyes’] have mastered. Active since 2018 and based in Nancy, France, the project was born from the collaboration between singer Hélène Ruzic and multi-instrumentalist Benjamin Racine.

However, before speaking about their new album ‘Apostles of the Flesh’, I would like to pause for a moment and philosophize, in order to better understand the art of -ii-. The thing is that the music of -ii- is a vivid mix of the elegance of gothic rock, an immaculate and theatrical voice, trip-hop, hardwave, sex, self-love, and cinematic flair. To create their unique atmosphere, -ii- used in recording unusual instruments like kayamb, xaphoon, or bouzouki.

photo by Benjamin Racine

What especially struck me when I first heard -ii– was how strongly their music can generate whole pictures in the imagination and let you simply lose yourself in time. And this happens almost immediately: by the second or third track you already understand that you are not here anymore, but somewhere in a completely different universe, where the borders of what you knew and accepted before begin to blur. And this experience transforms the very understanding of music as art.

‘Apostles of the Flesh’ is the second album by -ii-, and it is filled with spiritual symbols, personal philosophy, and a soft sexual energy that you can feel just by closing your eyes and letting every song pass through you. The flawless voice of Hélène Ruzic tunes you into a very captivating and striking wave.

This time –ii– completely abandoned phonograms and turned to the natural sound of instruments. In my opinion, this is very important, because it preserved the soul of the instrument, what the musician feels in the very moment of playing. The connection between the musician and the sound of the instrument cannot be denied.

I liked how Benjamin compares the album’s title to the majestic spirituality of a Baroque church like the Asamkirche in the center of Munich, with its flawless framing, sacred depth, aesthetic, and charm. It is a powerful comparison that truly inspired me. Knowing how much energy -ii- invested in this release, listening to the album creates a very special atmosphere that I would like to share with you.

So get ready, because we are about to enter ‘Apostles of the Flesh’, a 12-track, 65-minute record. I would like to highlight the songs that left the strongest impression on me. Let the music of -ii- penetrate your mind, merge with your energy, and paint vivid images, creating entire stories in your imagination. The music of -ii- feels so cinematic that it gives you an extraordinary experience as a listener.

From the very first track, ‘The Birth Of Venus’, you are confronted with powerful, surging Dark Wave, Post-Rock, and an almost industrial drive. All of it fuses into a vast energy that feels like it could cut through waves. And David’s astonishing drumming generates such fiery intensity it almost drives you insane. Over this, Hélène Ruzic’s ethereal vocals float within the melody’s intricate harmonies, shaping a mystical, exalted, grotesque sound. It is as if you were tracing your fingertips across perfectly sculpted bas-reliefs, feeling passion, sensuality, and the inspiration that once compelled the sculptor’s hand.

I especially love how ‘Lotis‘ reveals the darker, colder dimension of -ii-. Here Hélène Ruzic’s voice comes forward with a hypnotic presence, supported by a stunning post-gothic arrangement. The interplay between the track’s bright, rapid surges and the vocal’s answering lines feels like a dialogue, creating a sense of freedom where every desire seems possible.

What is interesting is that when you listen to -ii-, it seems like the music is flirting with you. It is a rather unusual feeling, and -ii- have done an enormous amount of work to fill their music with passion and energy. This is a very characteristic sound, soaked with the soul, energy, and desires of -ii-. For me, this is especially emphasized in the track ‘Sisyphus In Red’.

In a magnificent dance, the vocals and melody merge, and it feels like they encourage and amplify each other. This symbiosis, synergy, and dance is like the dance of candle flames flickering in a cold breeze. Neither can exist without the other. Absolute inspiration fills every cell of the body as the melody unfolds into airy and soft electronics, offering moments of tenderness and caresses from a touch of prayerful ecstasy.

photo by Benjamin Racine

-ii- play with contrasts, and by the middle of the album you will find the tracks ‘Pearls Beneath The Embers’ and ‘L’Onde Et L’Abysse’, which sound completely calm and soothing. Impeccable lyrics bring a lump to the throat, and the soft instrumental flows and blending of genres create a very cozy and gentle sound. I am absolutely delighted by how in ‘Pearls Beneath The Embers’ the atmosphere suddenly breaks, giving way to a more contemplative sound. Grotesque passages of rhythms and spacious electronics mix with Hélène Ruzic’s slow and romantic vocals, adding a feeling of softness and confession to the album.

The next track, ‘L’Onde Et L’Abysse,’ continues this atmosphere. However, rather low tones and slow harmonic flows in light shoegaze, and Hélène Ruzic’s voice grabs and penetrates the deepest thoughts. It is quite difficult to resist this track. You can listen to it late at night alone and feel understood. You can let ‘L’Onde Et L’Abysse’ invade your space while walking in the city or commuting, and you will feel the world around you change and gain a cinematic atmosphere.

And it feels like something breaks after the middle of the album, giving way to something deeper and vast. For example, the track ‘Under The Skin’ with its dark coldness and very expansive arrangement throws thoughts into a cool snowy evening, and the song paints in the imagination stained-glass windows of churches, lit by the flicker of candles. ‘Under The Skin’ is one of my favorite tracks on the album because of the intrigue that appears while listening to it. After listening to the track several times, you catch yourself feeling new emotions and sensations that you will not want to let go of for a long time.

The album ends with the tracks ‘Under The Skin’, ‘When Beauty Is A Crime’ and ‘Virginia’s Mirror’. The length of ‘When Beauty Is A Crime’ is 8 minutes and 37 seconds, and during that time the melody becomes almost a soundtrack of time, because time slips away as you listen to ambient blending with flawless drums, Hélène Ruzic’s vocals, guitars, deep basses, and incredible energy. The melody builds, intensifies, and then scatters into stars of pleasure, dissipating and stopping at the middle—but only to be reborn.

‘Under The Skin’ is like a ritual, something intangible that is always present nearby. You will be able to enjoy this track without context because it is stunning post-rock and Dark Wave. You can also allow yourself to meditate to this track, create your own images, and in this lies the unique power of -ii-’s music.

The final “Virginia’s Mirror” is a wonderful choice to close the album, since this track sounds like an ellipsis. I like how it blossoms with a feeling of love, hope, and something truly vast and infinite. The delicate orchestral touches and the warm, intimate vocals of Hélène Ruzic might be what give it that expansive quality.

I recommend looping back to the opening track after this one to experience just how cyclical “Apostles of the Flesh” can feel as a whole. Doing so lets you uncover new dimensions of the record. “Apostles of the Flesh” is a living work of art that deserves a place in the library of anyone who appreciates singular, profound soundscapes layered with conceptual depth and hidden symbols. Only the most attentive listener will inch closer to solving the enigma of “Apostles of the Flesh,” waiting patiently to be unraveled.

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