Charlotte Leclerc « Moiré » on Delodio

Poni Hoax, a French band born in the early 2000s under the leadership of Laurent Bardainne, immediately established itself as the union of converging forces: on the one hand, the rigor of a composer and instrumentalist who had broken away from the jazz conservatory; on the other, the magnetic presence of Nicolas Ker, a terminal new wave crooner with a sepulchral voice.

Stranded Horse (aka Yann Tambour)'s second album Humbling Tides was released by Talitres in early 2011. It featured ethereal melodies and a wandering spirit. Years before, Tambour had made a dramatic artistic shift away from the darker sound of his electronic/orchestral project Encre with Churning Strides (2007). This distinctive and bright work blended Anglo-Saxon folk with French chanson and Mande music, where classical guitar and kora arpeggios intertwined to create a timeless musical landscape. 

After making their mark with their acclaimed 2024 album, When All You Want To Do Is Be The Fire Part of Fire, French experimental pop duo UTO return with More Heat to the Fire Part of Fire. This five-track collection pushes the boundaries of their unique sound, brilliantly fusing electronic and organic elements for a deeply emotive aural experience. The title track “Spy,” inspired by Anaïs Nin’s book Spy in the House of Love, explores obsession and desire with a 2000s bloghouse feel, perfect for invading airwaves and setting dance floors ablaze. “Secret Things” follows, a dance-pop gem supported by Neysea’s haunting vocal melodies and trance-like synths. UTO pays homage to their musical influences with two masterful covers. Their take on Dido’s “White Flag” is a dreamy, downtempo reinterpretation that evokes the 90s Brit pop scene, providing a soothing respite amidst the effervescent energy of this new record. Additionally, “Broken Butterflies” transforms Lucinda Williams’ guitar ballad into an ethereal, vocoded piece, enhancing the pain of the original lyrics with a hazy production. Closing the track is the “Demo Barn Version” of their hit “Zombie,” stripping the track down to its vocal and guitar harmonies, demonstrating UTO’s pure mastery of composition. With More Heat to the Fire Part of Fire, UTO once again assert their status as pioneers, exceeding expectations and redefining the boundaries of modern pop music.