Feu Follet – Swamps Of Sadness (Digital/CD/Cassette Album – Blackjack Illuminist Records)
This is the sixth album by French artist Alban Blaising, better known as Feu Follet. Once again, he has invited a number of guest vocalists to lend their voices to his work.
For me, Feu Follet has always been synonymous with a somewhat monotonous Wave and Ambient experience, but that approach has been pushed more into the background on “Swamps Of Sadness”. While we don’t hear ‘pure’ Dark-Wave, some tracks — such as one featuring Alexander Donat (Vlimmer) — lean strongly in that direction. One of these songs even evokes a touch of The Mission. On several tracks, there’s greater emphasis on electronic structures, which tend to suit the female vocals particularly well. The variety of singers contributes to a more diverse album in which everyone can find something to their liking.
I’ve never been a huge fan of Feu Follet, but in my opinion, this album brings a welcome light into the darkness and features several genuinely good songs. (Rating:7).
Listen to “Ashes In The Frost feat. Pat Aubier”:
About Feu Follet
Feu Follet is the project of French, Nancy-based musician Alban Blaising, mixing synthpop, coldwave, post-punk, dreampop, and wave. Working with rotating guest vocalists, Blaising released the fourth album “IV” on Blackjack Illuminist Records in 2022, on CD, cassette, and download.
“Swamps Of Sadness”, reviewed here, is his sixth album, again issued through Blackjack Illuminist Records, with guests including Alexander Donat of Vlimmer and Pat Aubier.
Support Side-Line
More people read Side-Line than ever, and there is still no paywall and no advertising. Readers pay for it instead - from $5 a month.
Why we ask
Advertising revenues across the media are falling fast. Unlike many news organisations we have not put up a paywall, and we refuse to add annoying advertising, so we need to ask for your help. Side-Line’s independent journalism takes time, money and hard work to produce, and we do it to push the artists we like, who are equally fighting to survive.
Handled by PayPal.
I have been working for over 30 years with Side-line as the main reviewer. My taste is eclectic, uncoventional and I prefer to look for the pearls, even if the bands are completely unknown, thus staying loyal to the Side-Line philosophy of nurturing new talents.
