Geranium
Yapéno/Luik, 2022
9/10
The French duo of Alex and Mike, as Equipe de Foot the pair don’t hide their pop influences amid indie and alt-rock blasts that mix calm moments with arena sized rockers on this very well executed 3rd album.
"All Empty Space Is Not Just Filled With Air” opens the listen with a hypnotic atmosphere that uses keys and soft singing to create a thoughtful mood, and “Cosy Nothing, Moving Coffin” continues the cautiousness with a bit of dreaminess that welcomes soothing backing vocals and warm acoustic guitar.
Further on, “Melancholy Eyes” is more firm with thumping drums and dense fuzz as alt-rock enters the equation, while “SLVOTE” jangles with a breezy spirit of ‘90s college-rock that will make fans of Pavement drool.
Deeper yet, “15 Octobre” bursts into a giant sized, buzzing rocker that balances power and melody, and “Drunk At Best” exits with much intimacy entering the pulsating bass, gritty guitar and poetic singing.
Alex and Mike have come a long way from their humble beginnings, and this extremely memorable listen certainly should gain them legions of new fans, especially among those who like Eels or Sparklehorse
Travels well with: Dewaere- What Is Pop Music Anyway?; Cosse- Nothing Belongs To Anything