Phoenix, the French indie-pop legends, have returned with their seventh album, ‘Alpha Zulu‘, a worthy addition to their rich discography. Recorded in Paris‘ Louvre Palace, the album exudes grandeur, which seeps into the songwriting, resulting in some of the band’s most approachable songs in years.
‘Alpha Zulu‘ is a bold and energetic album that refines the lessons learned from their 2017 album, ‘Ti Amo,’ and feels more focused and less haphazard than its predecessor. Although the album retains some nods to Italo disco, there is also a stronger alignment with the band’s earlier bangers.
The album’s production was disrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic, with frontman Thomas Mars living in New York with his wife, director Sofia Coppola, while the rest of the band remained in France. Adding to the turmoil, the band also had to deal with the passing of French production pioneer and friend Philippe Zdar before the album’s production began. Despite these challenging circumstances, the album brims with positivity and a sense of unity.
The album’s title track, ‘Alpha Zulu,’ opens the record with a bang. Packed with energy and ideas, Mars‘ surrealist vocals effortlessly glide over some of the band’s most danceable material to date. Another highlight is ‘Tonight,’ which features a long-distance call with Vampire Weekend‘s Ezra Koenig.
When the band was finally able to meet to record in early 2021, their combined creativity went into overdrive. This is particularly evident in ‘Winter Solstice,‘ the first song recorded in the session, which sees Mars longing to make a connection with his friends and bandmates. Zdar‘s legacy is keenly felt throughout the album, with tracks like ‘Identical‘ and ‘All Eyes On Me’ carrying particular emotional weight and sounding like some of the heaviest, albeit still highly danceable, material on the album.
‘Alpha Zulu‘ is a testament to Phoenix‘s longevity, character, and musical prowess. After over 25 years in the business, the band can still deliver a rich tapestry of sound and emotion that captures their unique energy. They have successfully created a record that remains true to their roots while evolving in exciting new directions.
TRACKS:
