Album review overview: Clara Luciani, Cavalier and Child Actorand more
Dozens of new albums arrive at Maxazine’s editorial staff every week. There are way too many to listen to them all, let alone review them. It ensures that too many albums are left behind. And that’s a shame. That is why today we post an overview of albums that arrive at the editors in short reviews.
Thijs Boontjes – Dancing Boontjes
On his second album, “Dancing Boontjes,” Thijs Boontjes creates a fascinating musical world where social commentary and joie de vivre flow seamlessly together. Inspired by the family history of a car garage that transformed into a bar dancing venue, he paints a universe where life is celebrated despite—or perhaps because of—its imperfections. Opening with “Vanavond,” Boontjes delivers a party anthem reminiscent of Meeuwis. The sound on “Dancing Boontjes” moves smoothly across genres, ranging from authentic Dutch pop and raw rock ‘n’ roll to Italian disco and even a hint of punk. Tracks like “Fiasco (Gênant, Gênant)” and “Nachtportier” showcase Boontjes’ social engagement, while “Campari Soda” celebrates life’s lighter side. His Fender Rhodes weaves funky lines through the songs, peaking in “Wilde haren.” Boontjes offers sharp observations with a mild touch and captures human clumsiness like no other in both lyrics and music. The warm and loose production perfectly suits the lived-in character of the songs. “Dancing Boontjes” is a delightful, socially relevant and danceable album blending joy and sorrow. It proves that Dutch pop music in 2024 is very much alive. (Norman van den Wildenberg) (8/10) (Excelsior)
Clara Luciani – Mon Sang
On her third solo album, “Mon Sang,” Clara Luciani, former vocalist of La Femme, once again proves her unique position in French pop music. Written during her pregnancy, the album is an intimate yet grand work centred on personal reflections. Sage’s thoughtful and layered production particularly shines in the string arrangements that elevate tracks like “Cette vie” and “Tout pour moi.” The grunge-like “Allez” reveals a rougher side of Luciani, while “Romance” impresses with its spontaneous, almost instinctive nature. Luciani’s voice remains her greatest asset, used powerfully in the epic title track and the more restrained “Chagrin d’ami,” a rare song about the sorrow of lost friendship. She draws clear inspiration from the classic French chanson tradition but adds a contemporary twist. Though not every experiment fully succeeds, “Mon Sang” is a solid album that cements Luciani’s reputation as one of the most compelling voices in modern French pop. (Elodie Renard) (7/10) (Romance Musique)
Nachtmahr – Verboten!
The latest album by Austrian industrial act Nachtmahr, “Verboten!,” is a darkly charged journey through industrial excess. Its 11 tracks pulse with relentless beats and ominous atmospheres, showcasing Nachtmahr’s uncompromising embrace of taboos. The album opens with the powerful “Sirenen,” immediately immersing listeners in a dystopian world. Tracks like “Luzifer” and “Blut” burst with aggressive intensity, while “Nachtetüde” and “Spuren Einer Nacht” offer moments of eerie introspection. While “Verboten!” stays true to the band’s signature style, it explores more layered productions, giving each track greater depth. This refinement does not detract from the relentless energy Nachtmahr is known for, achieving a perfect balance between raw industrial force and dark electronic allure. The sound evokes a quieter, disco-infused version of Rammstein, emphasizing atmosphere and electronics over bombast. Highlight “Der Schwarze Mann” combines menacing synth lines with mechanical undertones, showcasing Nachtmahr’s ability to create visceral, cinematic soundscapes. This album positions Nachtmahr as a fascinating iteration of industrial brutality. “Verboten nicht zuzuhören!” (Norman van den Wildenberg) (7/10) (Trisol Music Group GmbH)
Cavalier and Child Actor – Cine
Child Actor and Cavalier have delivered a remarkably refined album with “Cine,” perfectly capturing the essence of underground hip-hop. The production is thoughtful and layered, with a meditative undertone evident from the opening track, “Sojourn.” While the album never becomes explosive, this restraint is its strength—it serves as a perfect soundtrack for daily contemplation. Child Actor’s distinctive production style, familiar from collaborations with Navy Blue and Armand Hammer, provides a seamless canvas for Cavalier’s contemplative flow and sharp observations. The standout track, “Knight of the East,” clearly embodies authentic New York essence. Across ten tracks, the duo constructs a consistent atmosphere that captivates throughout. The album cover deserves special mention—a visual masterpiece perfectly reflecting the music. “Cine” demonstrates that underground hip-hop can still surprise with its subtlety and depth. (Elodie Renard) (7/10) (Backwoodz Studios)
2Frères – Science Humaine
The Quebec folk duo 2Frères returns after ten years of successful music-making with their fifth album, “Science humaine.” Brothers Erik and Sonny Caouette, now among the most beloved acts in Quebec, take artistic control for the first time, delivering a refreshing turn in their musical career. Produced in collaboration with Gautier Marinof, the album showcases a mature sound that ventures beyond their usual folk-pop. The brothers experiment with various styles, incorporating prog-rock and punk-rock elements, as heard in the energetic track “Immortels.” A standout moment is “Croire en nous,” recorded at the legendary Abbey Road Studios in London using the same microphones as The Beatles. They collaborated with familiar names and new talents for songwriting, including Marc Dupré and Alexandre Poulin. This time, the lyrics are less overtly optimistic, resulting in a more authentic and layered listening experience. The album reflects the artistic growth of the duo, who, after a decade, continue to surprise. (Jan Vranken) (7/10) (2Freres/Musicor)
