French Concession's ‘Peak’ Takes You On A Trip Through Another World
French Concession. Photo supplied.
Sydney-based producer and singer/songwriter French Concession is making pop music that sounds like it’s been beamed in from the next century. I’m a huge fan of atmospheric electronic artists like Shlohmo and Fishing (both of who you should check out), so when I heard French Concession’s track Peak, I instantly loved it. The track’s soundscapes are lush and layered, and you’ll find your mind visiting other worlds while the track plays. Grab your headphones, because it’s time to get immersed in the world that French Concession occupies. You might even see some flying cars in your mind’s eye.
French Concession also directed the video for the track, which captures the urban fantasy that exists in the minds of many. It’s a trip through an otherworldly virtual city, and it’s a visual delight. The video’s animation is slightly unsettling in the best way, and it was solely created by French Concession. Making this on her own is a process she’s described as a lonely one, and that’s captured in the video. When you’re a nameless face in a sprawling city, do you lose a sense of your identity? Watching this video, it’s hard not to feel that way.
Speaking about the video, French Concession says, “I think this video reflects everyone’s fantasies who live in crowded cities such as Hong Kong, and less of my own. “Perhaps with the help of immersive technologies, we can at least fulfill our dreams in another reality, without so much of the exploitation of others.” I couldn’t agree more. A dream isn’t a dream if in order to achieve it, you have to exploit those around you. At that point, it’s an evil plan you’ve hatched. If you’re looking for more information on the video, this article from CLIPPED.TV is a great read.
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Check out Peak below. If you’re a fan of electronic/pop music that pushes the boundaries of the traditional constraints of the genre, then you’ll want to give this a listen. Having listened to the rest of French Concession’s discography upon discovering this track, she’s quickly become one of my favourite Australian-based producers, and I’m already clamouring for more music. This track will show you what pop music sounds like when all the shackles are gone, and artists let themselves play around with what we know music to be. I love this track, and I hope you do too.