Euphoric pop perfection…
It seems an age since we’ve heard from electropop outfit Avec Sans. Their 2016 album Heartbreak Hi put the London-based band on the map, delivering energetic, infectious pop tunes.
Meanwhile, their live shows demonstrated an ability to be visually captivating, while also imbuing their material with a raw, electric vitality.
Avec Sans were originally formed in 2012 with Alice Fox (vocals, producer) and Jack St. James (electronics, producer). The duo supported Ladyhawke on her 2016 UK tour and have also played alongside acts such as Little Boots, Capital Cities, Bright Light Bright Light and Pet Shop Boys. They’ve also lent their remix talents for a variety of artists on Sony (Epic) and Columbia Records.
More recently, the duo have expanded their line-up to include multi-instrumentalist Willow Sellers (Rihanna, Lewis Capaldi). Willow has demonstrated a love for the keytar, citing the Yamaha SHS-10 as his weapon of choice. Apparently, he also contributes much of the high-noted backing vocals (dubbed “seagulls” by St James) on much of the tracks that feature on new album Succession, due for release next year.
New offering ‘Altitude’ shows Avec Sans back on form with a big, bold slice of synth-pop which seems custom-built to blow away the Covid blues that have settled on the electronic music scene of late. It’s a pop banger that bodes well for the forthcoming new album.
Although Covid-19 has had a devastating impact on the live music scene, Avec Sans are planning an exclusive album launch show for Succession next year. So mark your Hello Kitty diaries for Friday 21st May at The Grace, London.
‘Altitude’ marks the first outing for the new 3-person Avec Sans and shows a definite evolution from their Heartbreak Hi days.
Described by the band as “a wonky pop slap in the face”, the new song was written in the direct aftermath of an earthquake experienced from the 16th floor of a Tokyo hotel. Despite the traumatic catalyst for the song, there’s a cathartic element at work here in its euphoric pop direction.
The crunchy, layered approach gives it a beefy, percussive feel (Jack St. James’ trusty Novation is utilised a lot on the new track). Meanwhile, Alice Fox’s heartfelt vocal darts between the big pop sound giving it a vital human touch.
‘Altitude’ also features writing credits from Benbrick (the musical genius behind George the Poet’s Peabody award-winning podcast) and is mixed by multi Grammy Award-winning Andreas Larsen and mastered by Mandy Parnell (Bjork, The Knife, Sigur Ros, Aphex Twin,The XX).
As we enter the chilly winter months, ‘Altitude’ is a bold pop outing that will definitely warm the heart (and get the feet moving).
‘Altitude’ is out now. https://levelmusic.lnk.to/Altitude
Avec Sans will play an exclusive Succession album launch show on Friday 21st May at The Grace, London. Tickets available from 10am Monday 5th October. https://myticket.co.uk/artists/avec-sans
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