Just two days away from his second sold-out show at MTELUS in less than a year, Les Louanges is back today with Sur la mélodie, his first new song since the release of the album Crash in January 2022.
Featuring a more pronounced electronic production and a strong Afrobeats influence, Sur la mélodie was written in collaboration with the French singer and rapper Ichon. Mostly produced by Vincent Roberge (aka Les Louanges) in Paris, the song's beat seduced Ichon, who agreed to lend his words and voice to the track. The result is a catchy, danceable anthem that calls for trust in one’s instincts and dedication to one's art, regardless of the daily grind.
Sur la mélodie also bridges the gap between Ichon's and Les Louanges’ distinct sounds, making it an unusual track for both artists. Working with another singer-songwriter is a challenge for me because I rarely do it, explains Vincent. It's also really fun because it allows me to get out of my comfort zone. It's interesting to see this combination unfold, especially with Ichon coming from rap and having to get into a different genre. In terms of lyrics, I find that both of our universes blend well, and that kind of collaboration allows me to open my ears to a new musical world.
Sur la mélodie is available now on all music services.
Les Louanges’ new track is accompanied by an eccentric and surrealistic music video directed by Jeanne Sigwalt and Oscarito Castro, who had also brought us the short film Salutations soignées, sentiments distingués last spring. The video features younger versions of Vincent Roberge and Ichon, who watch their lives unfold through the lens of a View-Master. The video is filled with dramatic, absurd and visually striking scenes that symbolize the mad, frantic race of life.
Watch and share the music video for Sur la mélodie via YouTube.
In addition to his upcoming show at MTELUS in Montréal this Thursday, several performances are planned across Quebec for Les Louanges in the coming months. He will also travel to Europe in March for shows in Brussels, Paris and Marseille. See the list below or check out leslouanges.com for more information.
One year ago, Les Louanges unveiled Crash, his sophomore full-length album. The album immediately caught the attention of critics on both sides of the Atlantic, thanks to its ambitious, inventive pop direction. Crash has been nominated at the Gala de l'ADISQ for Songwriter or Composer of the Year, Alternative Album of the Year and Critics' Choice of the Year, in addition to bringing home the trophies for Album Artwork of the Year and Arrangements of the Year alongside his long-time collaborator Félix Petit. Described by Exclaim! as a “dense yet coherent album in which Roberge takes calculated risks” in their 8/10 review, Crash was longlisted for the Polaris Music Prize and won the Idéa 2022 Grand Prix Design for its breathtaking visuals.