A Brussels-based duo consisting of Remy Lebbos (ex-Vismets) and David Picard (ex-Applause), Atome craft indie pop song with a synth, cosmic twist. Taken from their 2018’s debut album Voie Lactée, their soothing new single arrives just on time for the Summer. On “Devenir Une Fille,” Atome are once again looking up at the stars while drawing inspiration from the glam rock scene. For this beach-approved cut, they also enlisted regular collaborator Coline Wauters, whose dreamy vocals beautifully complete the warm trumpets and shimmering, chillwave-inspired synths. Listen below and on your favourite outlets.

[su_youtube_advanced url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-o8TUwLnuq8″]

Catch Atome on tour in Belgium this Summer:

21.06 – Fête de la Musique – Namur

23.06 – Fête de la Musique – Bruxelles

06.07 – Wégimont Festival – Wégimont

20.07 – Baudet’stival – Bertrix

25.08 – Les Solidarités – Namur

The 4 tracks center around the word ‘temps’, which means both “time” and “weather” in French. The short but perfectly articulated EP enables RIVE to raise questions about relationships on a coastal background scene [‘RIVE’ means ‘coast’ in French]. Can love stand the test of time and sea storms? There’s no proper answer to this almost metaphysical question but at least, RIVE’s music and lyrics are consistent enough to make us think about it. They notably invite us in their cruise into the uncertain waves of Love as soon as the opening track “Rouge” begins. If you are sensitive to seasickness, the synth-storm of “Justice” won’t bring you peace and serenity.

Red for the passion, blue for the atmosphere. RIVE smartly develop a refreshing concept that is much needed in current French Pop music.

RIVE – Vogue (Official Music Video) from Julie Joseph on Vimeo.

The perceptive and studied writing and Juliette Bossé’s singing quickly link to Homer’s “Odyssey” character: Penelope. Like her, the singer is on the seaside and cries the absence of her lover while being overwhelmed by doubts. If most of the traditions describe Penelope as an allegory of faithfulness, some of them grant that she finally succumbed to some of the many contenders that tried to seduce her. Is it why the EP’s closing track “Nuit” features added vocals about feminine pleasure and slut shaming? We don’t have the answer to this question but one thing is sure though, Love always triumphs. Indeed, the duo closes the project with a four-handed piano part, as if the ghost of her lover was finally joining and comforting her, whatever happened.

The effects (reverb, reversed sounds) are aptly chosen and capture the sound of the waves, like in the lead single “Vogue”, or emphasize the complex emotions conveyed by the lyrics. The production, which is signed by Rémy Lebbos, is solid but the studio versions of the EP can’t compete with the climax that is reached when they are performed live. Indeed, the magic symbiosis of Boxes and Bossé is particularly strong on stage; making us forget that they are only two behind the achieved arrangements. As a debut EP, the project appears more than convincing as it reminds us of the dream pop of Melody’s Echo Chamber or Beach House that would have met the class of French songstresses such as Françoise Hardy.