2020s 336 Items

Lenparrot's third studio album, La Conversation, is a reflective exploration of human experiences, performed in French and recorded in a renovated sheepfold in the Corbières region. The album marks a shift from Lenparrot's previous work, embracing the French language more fully after experimenting with it in earlier tracks. Influenced by personal milestones such as becoming a father and coping with loss, the album was born from creative collaboration. In March 2022, Romain Lallement (Lenparrot) joined artists Nina Savary, producer Astrobal, and multi-instrumentalist Vincent Guyot to compose this album, which came together quickly in the inspiring rural setting. The result is a harmonious blend of introspective and uplifting themes, capturing the essence of life’s joys and challenges.

Citirax is excited to introduce the debut LP from the Los Angeles-based duo Op-art, a project born out of the creative isolation of the lockdown era. The band, the brainchild of Andrew Clinco—known for his work with Drab Majesty—was originally named using the acronym "Oblique Pleasures Amidst Rough Times," a nod to the challenging times that inspired its formation.

In Andrew’s own words, the album “represents a sonic analog to the visual art movement of the 1960s,” meaning it is both densely layered and psychedelic, yet aims to capture a sense of minimalism in its tradition, theory, and conceptual approach. Op-art’s sound is heavily influenced by the New Wave genre, drawing inspiration from artists such as John Foxx, Martin Dupont (with whom Andrew has collaborated on a track), Experimental Products, and early OMD.

True to their commitment to authentic analog sound, Op-art eschews digital plug-ins in favor of a wide array of analog synthesizers and outboard rack effects units. The album features a diverse collection of synthesizers including the EML 500, Arp Odyssey, Arp Omni2, Jupiter 6, Sh-02, Sh-101, Moog Rogue, and Roland Promars. Each piece of equipment contributes to the album’s lush, rich soundscapes, creating a tactile and immersive listening experience.

The Final Act, the title of the LP, is a testament to the duo's ability to blend catchy melodies with profound emotional depth. The album offers an introspective journey through themes of time passing, romantic entanglements, and existential reflections on an apocalyptic scale. With its evocative sound and thoughtful lyrics, The Final Act promises to resonate deeply with listeners, making it a compelling and significant debut from Op-art.

With punchlines full of love, Moog, infrabass far too low and splashes of turquoise and tangerine, they try to invent an infernal machine: the hit machine, probably cylindrical, certainly vinyl, in any case a barnum that softens the ankles and spins the lumbar discs in 45 rpm, and incidentally puts the smile back on the face by heating the pheromones.

After a debut album, South By West (2018), produced under a blazing sun, amidst sun-drenched rocks and arid deserts, this new full-length release, It Starts With The End of The World, follows the path charted three years ago by the EP Always On Time. Eleven magnificently ethereal tracks, meticulously crafted by Thomas Lavernhe, the singer-songwriter behind Pampa Folks, explore more exotic roads and envelop us in warm waves of psychedelic guitars. Eleven songs that aspire to wind-blown journeys, forming the perfect soundtrack for a summer road trip. Pampa Folks' musical DNA evolves towards a contemporary twist, blending the charm of retro hues, spaghetti western film scores, and a more modern production reminiscent of Tame Impala, Khruangbin, or Men I Trust.The great outdoors, with their imagery and cinema, are the godfathers of Pampa Folks' music, despite it being conceived and recorded in Paris. In fact, it is probably the most Californian pop made in France. Who knows how different this music would have been if Thomas Lavernhe had been born on the other side of the Atlantic? Would the lyrics have suggested the imminence of long journeys as much? What is certain is that his travels in the Americas have influenced his personal inspirations.The Pampa Folks project embodies the journey that allowed Lavernhe to identify the kind of mark he wanted to leave on the pop scene. A confident career as a composer, producer, and sound designer, major collaborations with his other project Cuarto Mundo (a duo with Cosmo Gonik), some memorable concerts in the fashion world (he loves to recount them), regular DJ sets at the now-closed Bus Palladium... The colors, moods, and energies of this new album owe something to all of these experiences.Notably, singer Léa Petges lends her voice on four tracks and is also the heroine of the Mexican escapade in the video for "Foolish As She Goes," the first single released on March 8.Bon voyage.

Discover Malou Madi's vinyl, featuring her two acclaimed EPs "lilt" and "What We Don't Say." A talented Franco-American artist and producer, Malou Madi captivates us with her enchanting voice and unique compositions. "lilt" delights with its airy sounds and delicate R'n'B, while "What We Don't Say" explores more intimate and mysterious themes. This vinyl invites you to dive into a refined and captivating musical universe, perfect for lovers of authentic music. Available now.