‘Second Mansions’ feels like stepping back in time. Steeped in authentic and charming sophisti-pop goodness, the record borrows heavily from the ‘80s era as a whole, indulging in rich, synth-powered arrangements and dreamy, evocative lyricism. The keen listener will even find a harmonica, a period-correct easter egg from that era. Behind such a luscious and glamorous album, we find Los Angeles-based songwriter and creative Le Concorde.
In truth, we got a preview of ‘Second Mansions’ back in February. Writing about ‘Corpus Christi’ – a single from the album – we proudly declared it “a slice of retro energy and unmatched charisma”. We stand by our words: Le Concorde has done a stunning job on the record, which, by the way, should not be confused with mere synth-pop. ‘Second Mansions’ is much more than that, boasting hints of R&B and soul scattered throughout. Taking care of production duties, we find legendary Scottish producer Calum Malcolm (Prefab Sprout, The Blue Nile).
Staying as authentic as possible, Le Concorde also enlisted a stellar cast of musicians, all emerging from the same scene that gave birth to ABC, Deacon Blue, The Fixx, Scritti Politti, Van Morrison, and Trevor Horn’s band, among others. From a lyrical standpoint, listeners will appreciate the nuances and meaningful ethos behind the record. Channelling religious mysticism and biblical references, ‘Second Mansions’ speaks to a wide variety of people. Whichever way you are drawn to it – the dreamy, hazy lyricism or the bubbly production – this is a record worth listening to.
Recommended! Discover ‘Second Mansions’ on Spotify:
