“Travelogues” is the new record by Souvenir and can be considered as the third instalment in the electronica trilogy that the band started with ”64" (Jabalina 2007) and continued two years ago with "Drums, Sex and Dance" (Jabalina 2009). As such, this new record is simultaneously a continuation of their electro-pop sound and an innovative evolution of their sound. If the last two records were, respectively, the rebirth of Souvenir as an ele…

“Travelogues” is the new record by Souvenir and can be considered as the third instalment in the electronica trilogy that the band started with ”64" (Jabalina 2007) and continued two years ago with "Drums, Sex and Dance" (Jabalina 2009). As such, this new record is simultaneously a continuation of their electro-pop sound and an innovative evolution of their sound. If the last two records were, respectively, the rebirth of Souvenir as an electro project and a minimalistic new-rave album, the new record presents us with a collection of songs with evoking atmospheres with - at the same time - their catchiest pop melodies so far. It has always been hard to describe a Souvenir record with just one phrase, since Jaime and Patricia have founded their career in the principle of eclecticism. “Travelogues” showcases brilliantly this approach, to the point where this is probably their most complex - and complete - record to date: this is evident from the beginning of the album, with the mysterious 80s mood of “Whispers in the Night", which also picks from more contemporary sounds - somewhere near HOT CHIP meets NATASHA KHAN - till the closing track, the evoking “Mots”, a tribute of sorts to the guitar sound of HANK MARVIN from THE SHADOWS , one of the Jaime's biggest influences. Imbetween, each song is a beautiful treat, like for instance “Dance it Away”, an infectious slice of pure pop, with electro bass, rock guitars and a chorus reminiscent of NEW ORDER or the PET SHOP BOYS, or the very original “Sinking Stone”, a requiem for a friend about to fall, which combines electronica, a unique beat and acoustic instruments like autoharp or pedal steel guitar, which join together for a moving song which sounds totally contemporary, with some echoes of BLACK BOX RECORDER. In the middle section we encounter three very different songs which convey Souvenir's unorthodox approach: “Arrête-toi” is a synth-pop floorfiller which connects with the classic electro sound of the band, complete with Jaime's twangy guitars and Patricia's sexy and melancholy vocals. “Taboo” is an electro-rockabilly homage to the glamour girls of the 40s and 50s such as Roxanne Arlen or Mamie Van Doren, which revisits the guitar sound of Souvenir's recent celebrated cover version of “Funnel of Love” (on 7” single “Aime-moi”, Jabalina 2010). “Coup de coeur” provides a soothing counterpoint - it is an evoking song full of the romantic mood of 80s French pop à la CAROLINE LOEB or the more contemporary AIR. The last tracks of “Travelogues” take us back to upbeat mode with “Talk to Me”, a chilly synth pop nugget reminiscent of VINCE CLARK, KYLIE MINOGUE, MADONNA or French new wavers TAXI GIRL, which ends with an anthemic coda MGMT would be proud of. Shortly after, Patricia vindicates womanhood through the beautiful “Peintures de Guerre”, a dancefloor ode to the lipstick, complete with warm analogue sounds, autotune vs autoharp, pop melancholy in Souvenir style, and one of the greatest vocal renditions in this bilingual, cosmopolitan album.