Isolde Lasoen - Oh Dear (2022) Hi-Res

Isolde Lasoen is not only a drummer with DAAN, but also a versatile musician, singer, TV personality and frontwoman of her own band. With a brand new and ambitious record she gives her solo career a new turn. "I did 100% what I wanted, this record is 100% ME," she says about 'Oh Dear', which will be released on March 8.

The germ of 'la nouvelle Isolde' can be traced back to 2021, when she scored a radio hit with her version of 'The Four Horsemen', the cult hit of Aphrodite's Child. That success gave her the desire to work on a new solo record, without squeezing into the straitjacket of the musical mainstream. Everything she loves, she would allow to seep through: her training as a jazz drummer and diverse genres from vintage soundtracks over psychedelia to prog rock and French music from the 1970s. Less is usually more for Isolde, but in her music it can be bombastic, with rich arrangements, an extensive set of instruments and compelling harmonies.

'Oh Dear' cannot be pigeonholed into one style box, the 10 tracks vary from jazzy, melancholic and groovy to poppy and everything in between. They bathe in the cinematic atmosphere of Morricone, Mancini, François De Roubaix or early John Barry, breathe the obscure baroque pop of David Axelrod and are topped with a touch of indie à la Goldfrapp, Air or Sébastien Tellier. The opening and title track is nostalgic and sultry cinematographic indie that Isolde fits like a glove. The compelling and symphonic 'Douce Mélancolie' has a starring role for the French cult artist Bertrand Burgalat. And so 'Oh Dear' features lush instrumentals such as 'Bed & Breakfast' and 'Capricorn Avenue' next to genius pop gems such as 'Something French' and 'Batterie', a duet in which DAAN lets the spirit of Gainsbourg descend with an irresistible parlando.

Isolde wrote, composed and styled 'Oh Dear' all by herself. For all songs, she started - even more than usual - from the drums, vibraphone and her own voice as an instrument, which has become her signature sound and forms layered melodic lines that often define the hooks of the songs.

‘Oh Dear’ is the stunning opening track from the album. Its lush, almost cinematic, semi-psychedelic elements blend perfectly with the articulate pop and indie tunes and arrangements, all composed by Isolde Lasoen herself.

An impressive title track for an impressive Grande Dame who will take France (her previous single with Bertrand Burgalat ‘Douce Mélancolie’ is played nationwide on French radio), and the rest of Europe by storm this year.

As icing on the cake, the album will be labeled ‘Sélection FIP’ at the renowned Paris radio station of the same name. ‘Sélection FIP’ is also where it all started for her labelmate Meskerem Mees in La Douce France. Doigts croisés for Isolde Lasoen!