Chloé French serves up endless grooves on new EP, "The NY Tapes"
Some EP’s feel distinctly designed purely for playlisting and then there are records that feel designed for entire lifestyles. Chloé French’s The NY Tapes belongs firmly in the latter category, unfolding like a blurry yet beautiful memory born from those late nights and sweaty dance floors that seem to stretch until sunrise. Across six songs, Chloé has created a world that feels impossibly chic making for a record that we already know is going to soundtrack our summer!
At just 24, French has already wowed us plenty of times, crafting indie pop that’s cinematic and deeply rhythmic. Inspired by the glamour and poetic cool of the French New Wave era, The NY Tapes doesn’t simply reference the aesthetics of the 1960’s, it absolutely reinterprets them through a modern lens. Expect timeless and contemporary all at once, where effortless sophistication collides with youthful recklessness.
The grooves here are undeniable. Bass lines are far too overlooked, but without them here, the record would have no heart. They don’t just support the songs, they drive them, injecting movement into every moment and giving the project its irresistibly danceable feel. Even when the music slows into more reflective territory at times, there’s always a pulse underneath.
French’s vocals are unsurprisingly captivating. Silky smooth, airy, and angelic without feeling like too much, her voice moves through the production with grace and control. She leans into atmosphere, allowing that emotion to seep naturally into the music. Describing something as “cool” feels easy, but dang, she’s just effortlessly got that charm in her delivery.
Written and produced alongside Alex Poeppel at Kensaltown Studios, the EP balances organic instrumentation with subtle electronic flourishes that shimmer rather than overpower. Synth accents drift through the arrangements while percussion and some layered melodies create a constantly evolving soundscape.
Soooo much modern pop feels geographically anonymous, but The NY Tapes feels deeply rooted in a very specific romanticized vision of New York and Europe colliding together. You can practically see the black coffee cups, cigarette smoke curling into the air, and flickering downtown lights while listening. It’s artsy without becoming inaccessible.
Most importantly, the EP is just incredibly fun. She hasn’t just delivered a strong indie pop EP, she’s created a highly specific mood we’ve got a feeling we’re going to find ourselves in quite a bit. Go ahead and click those links below to listen in, follow along, and of course to stay tuned for whatever else she’s cooking up.
Like what you read? Follow our social media and playlist for the latest in independent music:
