Strangers

Howlin Banana Records is decidedly keeping us well fed at the start of this year by spotlighting the latest release from one of its most prolific acts to date: Volage, returning with a brand-new, already-cult EP titled Strangers.

For those not yet familiar with the French quartet, Volage is a band originally from Tours that has been scouring the French indie scene for nearly a decade. Armed with a unique sonic identity, the group has built a solid reputation over the years for its garage pop music, defined by distorted guitars, a radiant organ, and elevated by the highly distinctive vocals of its mastermind, Paul Rannaud.

Two years after the release of the near-perfect Sittin’ Sideways, Volage continues to refine its musical style by delivering five tracks that are as complex as they are captivating. Most of these have been staples of their live sets since 2016, created during the genesis of their previous albums. Unsurprisingly, the lyrics touch upon recurring themes such as melancholy, sentimentality, and the hostility of society.

It’s an explosive record, opening with the Strangers triptych — a true emotional rollercoaster that shifts from joy to uncertainty and redemption in just a few minutes — before rolling straight into the excellent “Horses,” a track driven by a two-chord riff that fills us with an indescribable fire.

A certain emotional weight emanates from this record, as its creation seems to have been deeply impacted by the band’s imminent evolution, with their lineup set to change for the group’s future efforts. This is one last EP written like a family before opening a new chapter, which we will gladly discover on their next album—which, according to our sources, is already in the works.

A “volage” being, the French will tell you, is one whose feelings constantly shift. Ours don’t: we approve, and stand firm in our admiration for this band which never fails to amaze us with every single release.