French Police – Haunted Castle (Album – Icy Cold Records)
Genre/Influences: Dark-Wave, Dream-Pop.
Format: Digital, CD.
Background/Info: The name of this band refers to France although this is an American formation. They in 2019 self-released a debut album and got next signed to the French label Icy Cold Records unleashing their first official full length.
Content: Some of this band’s main influences are clearly getting us back to the 80s sound of bands like New Order and The Smiths. The album mixes dreamy Dark-Wave together with dreamy passages. The work features 15 songs, which are all pretty short. There’s no song going over 3 minutes.
+ + + : French Police is rapidly evoking the 80s spirit of Dark-Wave music and yet there’s something refreshing running through this production. I enjoy the guitar playing for this magic 80s touch. The tracklist is progressively built up and I especially recommend some of the last songs like “Voices” and “Future Part”. Both songs are more accomplished creating a great final album part.
– – – : I regret the songs all remain pretty short, sometimes giving the feeling of being not enough elaborated.
Conclusion: French Police is not exactly setting the world alight, but this is an honest album featuring a few cool cuts.
Best songs: “Voices”, “Future Part”, “Persi”, “Intimidate”.
Rate: (7).
Artist: www.facebook.com/frenchpoliceband
Label: www.facebook.com/icycoldrecords Read the news on ‘Haunted Castle’.
About French Police
French Police is a post-punk band formed in Chicago, Illinois, in 2019. The lineup is centered on Brian Flores as primary songwriter and producer, who collaborates with guest musicians for live performances. The band’s sound blends post-punk revival and dream pop, marked by fast-paced melodies, heavily reverberated vocals and minimalistic lyrics.
Following a self-titled 2019 debut, French Police issued “Haunted Castle” digitally in February 2020, with CD and vinyl editions released via Icy Cold Records. The band followed with “Bleu” in 2021 and the U.S. edition of “Bully” in January 2024. Manic Depression Records reissued “Bully” and “Haunted Castle” on limited European vinyl in May 2025.
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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.
