Lemaitre - Afterglow

Lemaitre
Afterglow
2016
Spotify

The French electropop/french disco/nu-disco outfit Lemaitre have released this new EP Afterglow bringing in two songs previously released tracks. "Playing to Lose" featuring Stanaj feels like much more of a platform for Stanaj rather than an example of Lemaitre big and bold sound. It is almost Calvin Harris in the production style and that middle of the road route just doesn't do it for Lemaitre. "We Got U" a collaboration with The Knocks feels like a weak track for both artists. You can feel the love for Disco that both have, but this off the wall song never really gets going. The song is being featured in the new version of the FIFA video game which feels about right for it, passively listening in the background. Even when the beat kicks in you find yourself waiting for something else, something better to come. Especially in the hands of these two extremely talented pieces of the Nu-Disco movement we deserve more. Where the album finally finds it's stride is the collaboration with Phoebe Ryan "Haze". Phoebe Ryan also came out on a song with The Chainsmokers recently and it was mediocre at best. Here however she is matched perfectly by Lemaitre's twitchy super electronic sound. This likely is the song that everyone should be listening to, but they are settling for "All We Know".

"Last Night on Earth" is also a song that should not be as buried as it is on this album. It is so intricate and an experimental take on future bass that might even rival Flume. Lemaitre bring in much more organic feels throughout the song including acoustic guitars and piano but that big future sound still dominates. It is a fun song to see where they might go from here, because if this is the direction Lemaitre are taking...wow get ready. Clearly not a great deal to dig in to here but the last two tracks are such a powerful statement that you need to deal with this record. Hopefully the first two tracks are just some memories of their past and the other two are where we are going. Two for four ain't bad when it comes to making music, but feel free to miss this record and just rock the last two singles, your ears will thank you for it.

5.8 out of 10