While they’re not yet as well known in North America, Paris’s Caravan Palace have become something of a sensation in their home country. And it’s not difficult to imagine why: it only takes a few seconds of “Russian,” from their third LP—the whimsically titled <|°_°|>—to hear echoes of early-twentieth-century Left Bank bohemianism, set as it is to a decidedly modern dance beat. That the French, who are notoriously enamored with their own history when they’re not dispassionately breaking from it, would eat this up is hardly surprising.
What is surprising is how well the sound works. While “ragtime EDM” seems like the kind of genre signifier that could have popped out of a particularly piquant random name generator, “Russian,” which we’re proud to premiere today, excels beyond the (admittedly massive) novelty factor. It may be in large part due to singer Zoé Colotis, who couches her vocals in a kind of semi-hushed coo more reminiscent of Cibo Matto than, say, Irene Bordoni. With the thump and twirl of Charles Delaporte’s upright bass and Hughes Payen’s violin galloping behind her, Colotis deftly folds her melody into the gaps of the rhythm.
You can listen to “Russian” for yourself below. <|°_°|> is out October 16 on Le Plan, and its track list and art are below, too. Following last year’s stint at Coachella, the band will be returning to the US in spring 2016.
<|°_°|> track list
1. Lone Digger
2. Comics
3. Mighty
4. Aftermath
5. Wonderland
6. Tattoos
7. Midnight
8. Russian
9. Wonda
10. Human Leather Shoes for Crocodile Dandies
11. Lay Down
<|°_°|> is out October 16 on Le Plan.
