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Band: Je T’Aime
Album title: Passive
Release date: 14 February 2022
Label: Icy Cold Records
Genre: Post-Punk, Cold Wave
Tracklist:
01. Another Day In Hell
02. Dirty Tricks
03. Lonely Days
04. Unleashed
05. Stupid Songs (feat. Ophelia)
06. Cold
07. Blood On Fire
08. Give Me More Kohl
09. On The Phone
10. Marble Heroes
The French dark alternative scene is one of the healthiest and wealthiest around, and the Paris based trio Je T'Aime is another proof of that. The band released the first single in 2018 and is now releasing their sophomore album, the first part of the two-part album set, Passive/Aggressive. I must admit that Passive is my first encounter with this band, even though they released the eponymous debut album at the beginning of 2019 and were playing live at some big festivals around Europe, they still caught me by surprise.
Passive follows the lyrical concept started with the debut album. The story is about the evolution of the antihero, an avatar of the three musicians. The main character is stuck in the past. He repeats the same mistakes and ends up not being able to move forward in his life. The music that Je T'Aime play is a perfect soundtrack for such a story. Their spirit is hanging in the past but they try to be fresh and contemporary. Yes, it's post-punk/cold-wave done in the French way with some The Cure, The Clash and The Smiths hints. Sometimes it sounds like something between, Marquis De Sade, Soror Dolorosa and Varsovie, but it gets further into unexpected territories, like 80s new wave, punk-rock, even pop and goth. Somebody might even wonder if this is maybe a lost The Cure album from the 80s or early 90s.
Passive, if compared to the debut album is not a huge step forward in quality. Nevertheless, the heavier sound, a bit more versatile compositions, and a melancholic yet bittersweet atmosphere are a plus. It's dynamic, pumped up, danceable, with catchy groovy melodies and simple but addictive rhythmic lines. There are a lot of electronic samples making the sound thicker. Sparkling and echoing post-punk guitars, grumpy fat bass lines, a drum machine that feels like a real thing, 80s synths, and vocals that sound as if Robert Smith is trying to imitate Andy Julia or vice versa. Many of the songs are spiced up, with soaring atmospheres and a proper dose of melancholy inherited ironically. The adjective Passive is here only in the title since everything else is pretty active and energetic.
The amazing opener "Another Day In Hell" somehow sets the cold and gloomy tone of the album, but this darkness gets often interrupted by frisky tunes like it's for example the nervous "Dirty Tricks", or the weirdly sung new wave/punk tune "Lonely Days". The danceable punk "Blood On Fire" or retro beats of "Unleashed", will take you back in time for around 30 years, and are certainly meant to kick hard when played live. The scornfully kinky and dramatic "Stupid Songs", featuring guest vocalist Ophelia from Saigon Blue Rain, shows that Je T'Aime are yet full of interesting ideas. The captivating, broody and immersive "Cold" and rather nostalgic but so very addictive "Give Me More Kohl" are another two highlights. The rather strange lively song "On The Phone", on the other hand, sounds like a mix between Ramones and Joy Division. The best is reserved for the end, the epic 7 minutes long and dreamy "Marble Heroes", is the most melancholic song here, with a melody and evocative guitars that remind me of Asylum Party and the Bloodflowers era of The Cure, yet with certain shoegaze feel. I'm sure that Robert Smith and the company would be proud of it if it was theirs.
Je T’Aime did a very good album. This trio has that necessary energy and charisma that will appeal to a wide spectrum of listeners. Whether to fans of post-punk, punk rock, new wave, cold wave, because of its gloomy nature also to any kind of gothsters, and due to its retro 80s vibe to those who are stuck in that era. It's a versatile album that doesn't slow down, it doesn't allow the listener to rest. It might be a retro smelling one, suitable for any dark dancefloor, but I think that the French trio is nicely capturing the moment in time, and offers a turbulent sonic ride. I'm eagerly awaiting the second part, Aggressive, which should be released later this year.
The review was written by Tomaz
Rating: 7,5/10
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