Belgian duo Gare Noir is driven by Sam Claeys and Frits Standaert, both also known for their involvement with Red Zebra. After Red Zebra pressed the pause button, the pair began working on their own material, which first resulted in a series of singles and eventually culminated in the release of their debut album “This Is Gare Noir”, featuring twelve tracks.

It quickly becomes clear that both musicians draw heavily from the golden era of the 1980s and the New-Wave movement, yet they manage to inject enough personality and individuality to make the album feel remarkably diverse. Starting from a foundation of New-Wave and Post-Punk, the duo occasionally takes detours into Pop and Rock territory, creating a record that constantly shifts in mood and texture. The entire album is masterfully stitched together, alternating between harder moments and more ethereal passages. Several songs evolve toward genuine climaxes, largely thanks to strong arrangements, clever build-ups, and the sheer power of certain choruses. The charismatic vocals naturally add even more strength and identity to the material. Above all, however, these songs radiate a sense of enjoyment and spontaneity. At times, I can hear traces of Ultravox blended with elements reminiscent of Heaven 17, before the album gradually moves into darker and more distinctive territory.

Personally, I would not have minded if the album had leaned even further into darker atmospheres, but it is clear that “This Is Gare Noir” aims for a broader audience rather than confining itself to a specific niche scene. (Rating:8).

Listen to “We Spin”:

About Gare Noir

Gare Noir is a Belgian duo formed by vocalist Sam Claeys and musician Frits Standaert, who write, record, and produce the project together. Both previously played in the post-punk band Red Zebra, and Claeys is also a member of Der Klinke. Where Red Zebra was guitar-driven, Gare Noir builds its sound around synthesizers, mixing new wave, post-punk, and synthpop.

After Red Zebra paused, the pair started Gare Noir with a run of singles, including “We Spin”, released in early 2026. These led to the twelve-track debut album “This Is Gare Noir”, issued in 2026 on the Belgian label Wagonmaniac Music.

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