If you are looking for malleable alt-rock with a wide variety of moods and references, ‘Sands of Time’ is a record you should pay attention to. Penned by French outfit Santa Claws, the album follows up on their debut album released nine years ago. Time has passed, yet the group still has it: teaming up with renowned American producer Greg Gordon, Santa Claws pack ‘Sands of Time’ with eight wonderful, electrifying pieces.
From a sonic standpoint, ‘Sands of Time’ offers a collection of influences and cross-genre pollination that’s a joy to listen to. Episodes such as ‘Too Late’ feel heavily melancholic and gloomy, with a certain shoegaze allure over it. Elsewhere, ‘Two days ten hours’ showcases the group’s sunnier side, with alt-rock and indie elements in full display. ‘Tattoo Me’ places itself just halfway between the two extremes, a kinetic, hypnotic cut that feels slightly hopeful and anthemic.
Delving deeper into the creative ethos that propels the record, we are told: “‘Sands of Time’ captures the raw essence of alternative rock that is organic, demanding, and deeply melodic.” It seems as if the French group are willingly travelling into an eclectic direction, blending melodic hooks with guitar grit. Santa Claws are Greg Aubert (lead vocals, guitars, keyboards), Antoine Montgaudon (guitars, keyboards, arrangements), Teddy Moisan (bass), Julien Pinel (drums), and the recently recruited Stéphane Kérihuel on guitars.
Recommended! Discover ‘Sands of Time’ now: