Anglophile electropop from Paris suburbs
Who they?
Named in an unlikely nod to Sir Isaac Newton, this talented French five-piece was formed by childhood friends Loïc Fleury (vocals) and Jules Pacotte (keyboards and other machines) in the Parisian suburb Vincennes. Influenced by the electronic funk-savvy colours of Daft Punk and Metronomy, their infectiously compelling third album ‘Uplifters’ tackles that tricky universal theme of misplaced nostalgia.
Why Isaac Delusion?
Because when the French do synthpop they do it as well as anybody, particularly when they proudly wear their Gallic artiness on their sleeves. ‘Uplifters’ is cerebral and distinctive, combining irresistible future-disco danceability with undercurrents of aching melancholy. Lead track ‘Fancy’ epitomises their sound, articulating those confusing moments we feel as adolescents when our first stabs at relationships don’t quite go to plan. Central to the band’s sound is Loïc Fleury’s agile, soaring falsetto which at times – particularly on the pulsating ‘Disorder’ – channels the Bee Gees’ Brian Gibb with effortless ease. It’s also difficult not to think of Bronski Beat’s Jimmy Somerville when Fleury’s vocals reach the uppermost ends of the scale. You’ll find the way they blend slick electro with emotionally engaging soulfulness particularly hard to resist.
Tell us more…
Whilst essentially new to most British ears, they’ve been steadily developing as a band for a decade now, with a big domestic following. They regularly clock half a million monthly streams online, and have headlined at huge, career-cementing Paris venues like the Élysée Montmartre and Olympia. And with the famous La Cigale booked for January and then a headliner at London’s Omeara a month later, it’s hard not to feel that international success is imminent and inevitable.
‘Uplifters’ is out on Microqlima
