M83 Watch Out, this Parisian-Argentine Producer Loves The 80s Too

Name: Claude Violante

Where She’s From: Paris, France

Genre: Synth pop

Most like: Drive OST, M83

Sounds like: Risking it all for love and WINNING. Over a synth hook.

What I loved about the Drive soundtrack was that although it pushed up really hard against all this eighties synth redux, at the end of the day it was some damn triumphant pop music. Ahem, a song called “A Real Hero.”

I mention this to say that Claude Violante writes a beautiful pop song, in the melancholy-triumphal vein of Drive’s OST. So easy to screw up, so let us laud it when we can. Claude is already one-half of electronic duo Haussman, but for her solo EP, the Parisian-Argentine producer has put together an inviting call card.

She’s made us fall in love with just one single, “For You.” Here’s an equation: undulating smears of synth, plus minimal drumkit, plus handcaps, equals a very promising start. But there’s more, including Hendrix guitar licks and orchestral layering, and the kicker? Her rich but light voice. Claude styles a well-rounded vocal that can hold its own against the melodrama of what’s happening synth-wise. I love that, because — I’m just going to say it — I sometimes find Anthony Gonzalez’ voice kind of wishy-washy. Other tracks on her EP move in a more house direction — love those acoustic piano riffs.

Claude sings in English, and it’s not just convenience. Check out her Tumblr, and you’ll see her loving Americans from Bruce Lee to Ray Bradbury, and she says the UK and UK music scene is just better too. Well, that’s flattering, but she’s bringing some competition.

Claude Violante’s self-titled EP is out now on iTunes.

Stream the entire EP here: