French musician Sébastien Tellier has always been known for his unique blend of style and substance. His latest album, Kiss the Beast, is a sparkly synth-pop workout that showcases his signature mix of serious and playful qualities.
Tellier's music often explores complex themes like identity, culture, and relationships. However, he insists that these concepts should be approached with a sense of glamour and wonder, rather than dry conceptualism. This approach is evident in tracks like My God Is Blue, which dresses up the singer as a cult leader to muse on religion.
In contrast, Tellier's latest album marks a departure from his usual style. Featuring collaborations with artists like Nile Rodgers and Kid Cudi, Kiss the Beast is more pop-oriented than its predecessors. However, Tellier remains true to himself, embracing the idea that age brings wisdom and a new perspective.
For the 50-year-old singer, this milestone birthday marked an opportunity to explore new sounds and themes in his music. "I wanted to respect my age," he says. "My favourite album when I was 20 was Rock Bottom by Robert Wyatt. You know, this kind of 'I'm a crazy guy, I feel bad, I hate the world'." But Tellier's music now seems more refined and polished, reflecting his growing maturity.
One such track from Kiss the Beast is Copycat, which sees Tellier crooning about being impersonated by someone with his signature style. The song features chunky basslines, disco strings, and synths that crackle like fireworks. It's a quintessential Tellier tune, blending the serious with playful naivety.
Tellier's music has always been about bringing people together. He has tried to connect with his audience through songs that celebrate life, love, and identity. Kiss the Beast is no exception, featuring tracks like Loup, which combines lounge jazz with frantic electronic beats. The album's title suggests a deep exploration of duality – balance between contrasting elements.
For Tellier, this idea is central to his artistic vision. "It's very important to feel comfortable with all the aspects of life," he says. By embracing both light and dark, Tellier seeks to create music that resonates with listeners on multiple levels.
While some critics have described Tellier as an outsider in the French touch scene, he remains undeterred by their opinions. He has always been drawn to unconventional sounds and styles, which set him apart from his contemporaries. However, this willingness to take risks has also allowed him to stay relevant and innovative throughout his career.
Tellier's biggest moment of uncertainty came during his 2012 Eurovision performance, where he rode a golf cart onto the stage with an inflatable globe full of helium. Despite initial plans for a dramatic crash landing, the show's producers deemed it too reckless. The result was an underwhelming experience that left Tellier wondering if anyone even noticed.
However, this story only serves to underscore Tellier's perseverance in pursuing his artistic vision. He has never been one to shy away from controversy or attention, and his latest album is a testament to his unwavering commitment to creativity.
Kiss the Beast is set to be released on January 30th, with Tellier set to perform at Koko, London, in March.
Tellier's music often explores complex themes like identity, culture, and relationships. However, he insists that these concepts should be approached with a sense of glamour and wonder, rather than dry conceptualism. This approach is evident in tracks like My God Is Blue, which dresses up the singer as a cult leader to muse on religion.
In contrast, Tellier's latest album marks a departure from his usual style. Featuring collaborations with artists like Nile Rodgers and Kid Cudi, Kiss the Beast is more pop-oriented than its predecessors. However, Tellier remains true to himself, embracing the idea that age brings wisdom and a new perspective.
For the 50-year-old singer, this milestone birthday marked an opportunity to explore new sounds and themes in his music. "I wanted to respect my age," he says. "My favourite album when I was 20 was Rock Bottom by Robert Wyatt. You know, this kind of 'I'm a crazy guy, I feel bad, I hate the world'." But Tellier's music now seems more refined and polished, reflecting his growing maturity.
One such track from Kiss the Beast is Copycat, which sees Tellier crooning about being impersonated by someone with his signature style. The song features chunky basslines, disco strings, and synths that crackle like fireworks. It's a quintessential Tellier tune, blending the serious with playful naivety.
Tellier's music has always been about bringing people together. He has tried to connect with his audience through songs that celebrate life, love, and identity. Kiss the Beast is no exception, featuring tracks like Loup, which combines lounge jazz with frantic electronic beats. The album's title suggests a deep exploration of duality – balance between contrasting elements.
For Tellier, this idea is central to his artistic vision. "It's very important to feel comfortable with all the aspects of life," he says. By embracing both light and dark, Tellier seeks to create music that resonates with listeners on multiple levels.
While some critics have described Tellier as an outsider in the French touch scene, he remains undeterred by their opinions. He has always been drawn to unconventional sounds and styles, which set him apart from his contemporaries. However, this willingness to take risks has also allowed him to stay relevant and innovative throughout his career.
Tellier's biggest moment of uncertainty came during his 2012 Eurovision performance, where he rode a golf cart onto the stage with an inflatable globe full of helium. Despite initial plans for a dramatic crash landing, the show's producers deemed it too reckless. The result was an underwhelming experience that left Tellier wondering if anyone even noticed.
However, this story only serves to underscore Tellier's perseverance in pursuing his artistic vision. He has never been one to shy away from controversy or attention, and his latest album is a testament to his unwavering commitment to creativity.
Kiss the Beast is set to be released on January 30th, with Tellier set to perform at Koko, London, in March.