French Police released a new EP, Espera, last week. If you haven’t already added the four-song release to your listening queue, get on that asap because this is a good one.
Based in Chicago, French Police is a trio on the post-punk/darkwave tip who have been steadily gaining popularity over the past few years. Anecdotally, I can tell you that their songs were requested at virtually every party I played with Klub Nocturno this past year. Frequently, their songs were requested more than once during the course of one night. Outside of the clubs, you have probably heard them in the ether somewhere in L.A. Recently, when I was at Alamo Drafthouse to see Pump Up the Volume, there was a French Police playlist on in the bar.
Moreover, French Police played Cruel World last year, plus they sold out headlining shows in L.A. and Orange County. They’re touring California in May (both L.A. dates are sold out and there’s a waiting list for Pomona tickets) and playing the German festival Wave-Gotik-Treffen in June. What I’m getting at is that you should really check them out. (To that end, click this gift link for my interview with French Police that ran in SoCal News Group newspapers.) But, back to Espera. This is a tight EP. It is, literally, only 10 minutes long, but it’s 10 minutes (four songs, all under three minutes) of heavy, dark club energy.
I love French Police’s beats. Generally speaking, they’re a little unconventional in comparison to what is considered club-friendly music today because it’s not the usual super steady, midtempo kick-snare-kick-snare that’s easy to mix. They’ll play fast, like on “French Tips” and “Eslabon,” or there will be little beats that echo across the song, as in “Venado.” Sometimes, like on “Baby,” they’ll shift tempo, which is not nearly as common today as it was in music pre-digital everything. They’re making danceable music for the crowd, not the person in the DJ booth, which is refreshing.
It’s hard to listen to Espera without at least tapping a toe or bobbing your head, but it’s not just music to make you move. French Police creates a strong ambience too. There are dub-like flourishes and forlorn guitars throughout the EP. Plus, the fact that singer Brian Flores’ vocals aren’t pushed up to the front of the mix adds to a sense of melancholy.
Every song on here is solid. Plus, the songs are arranged to create a nice flow. The fadeout at the end of “Baby” with the line “I need you by my side” is a great way to end the EP. That said, Espera is a release you should listen to in one sitting from start to finish. After all, it’s only ten minutes.
Stream/purchase French Police Espera
Liz O. is an L.A.-based writer and DJ. Read her recently published work and check out her upcoming gigs or listen to the latest Beatique Mix. Follow on Instagram for more updates.
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