If you listen to one album today make sure it’s Matters by Fröst. A hypnotic, pulsing record of motorik beats, analogue synths and icily cool reserved vocals delivered by Johanna Bramli, Matters veers between sophisticated art-pop songs to darker atmospheric pieces that could even claim some reference to horror movie soundtracks (Suspiria and The Exorcist come to mind).
From the album comes new single La Venus d'Argent which gives a nod (albeit possibly unintentionally) to similarly titled La Femme D'Argent by French popsters Air in the way it uses a lightweight beat at the start, the sort of thing you might find as a preset on keyboard.
Is French-ghost pop a genre? Then if not Fröst might have just invented it. Haunted vocals, chilling repeated synth riffs and an aloof sultriness that can only the French language can produce (see also Jane Birkin & Serge Gainsbourg, Brigitte Bardot and Francoise Hardy). What more could you want? Except perhaps a whole album of the stuff, which now you can.
Fröst play a handful of dates this month including my home city / my own festival at Portsmouth’s Dials. One street, five venues. Tickets are £16 (they will be more on the day so buy in advance). All the details including the timetable can be found here: Dials Festival Website.
Fröst - La Venus d'Argent (Video)
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