Ertebrekers - Cocon (2026) Hi-Res

Almost ten years ago, they unleashed "Otel" upon humanity – with the well-known single "De Zji" they established themselves in a niche where they were instantly king – and three years later – with "Crème" – they continued that story. Yes, the coronavirus pandemic threw a wrench in the works, although Ertebrekers did manage to capitalize on their success with the singles "Paranoïa" and "Shimokitazawa"…

And now they're back. With one difference: Flip Kowlier is no longer part of the band. Or did that break the hearts of Peter Lesage and Jeffrey Bearelle? No. Or as Lesage himself puts it: "A shame, definitely. But it's no easy feat combining three successful bands and a solo career: 't Hof Van Commerce, Flip's new solo album, and a new Ertebrekers album… Flip still plays on two songs, "Kon ik maar een beetje beter dansen" (If I Could Have Danced a Little Better) and "El Narcissistico." The other songs are written by Jeffrey and myself."

You could consider the creation of 'Cocon' a bit of a case of "reculer pour mieux sauter." Kowlier's exploration of new horizons gave more space to songwriter Lesage, who gave 'Cocon' a slightly more emphatic soul signature. While previous Ertebrekers albums featured a larger singer-songwriter component, Bearelle and Lesage were now able to fully command the soul genre: the result is an uncompromising album—more soul & disco, funk, and hip-hop-oriented, especially in terms of tempos and beats—on which Bearelle's voice blends beautifully with Lesage's melodic arrangements. Two soul brothers in one space—that produces cool results. 'Cocon' is richly arranged, with a nod to old and new soul legends. An album that appeals to both the legs and the heart, because thematically, Lesage and Bearelle also reveal their innermost selves.

"Where we previously smuggled a bit more tongue-in-cheek humor into the record, our themes now lean a bit closer to things we're all concerned with; there's more self-reflection, more introspection, and more self-love. The boyish bravado is still there, but there's a layer of seriousness, without sounding heavy-handed."

Serious, yes, but 'Cocon' also leaves room for humor. For a funny French dialogue about 't Zuiden, for a true story—breaking two feet during a concert—"If only I could dance a little better," a bit of Italo-disco fun on 'El Narcissistico,' or the clever idea in the title, "Karma is a sniper," and therefore no b*tch.

Fans of the first hour can rest assured. Ertebrekers may have slimmed down to a duo, but 'Cocon' also shows that they greedily and enthusiastically tap into various musical manna. Sometimes with a clear disco vibe – check out ‘Taboe’, some 90s house in ‘Gemengde Signalen’ and then again with a deep-soul approach (‘People Pleaser’), but above all with a clear nu-Ertebrekers style.