Châlet de la Roche is David Willis & Tones Sansom. They are French. ‘Because’ (August 30/2024) is the group’s debut single; stabs of static electronica wrapped around an unwavering melody line and a vocal, part inspired on hearing the brilliant European invective of south-London’s The Umlauts. It will be followed by a second single, ‘Abandonné’ and an eponymously titled album later in the year. The group formed in 2021 with an idea of creating music with a bass driven post-punk sound. In lockdown, and with no singer available, the pair experimented, utilising predominately female voices – culled from esoteric vintage French noire arthouse films & chanson of the 50s-70s (and also the slightly less esoteric Google translate) – which gifted the material a emotional resonance. Initially steered by the influence of ‘Low’, Eno and the electronic pop of the early 80s & as well as ’70s dub, they progressed through a series of EPs recorded, posted online, and then deleted. Soon an identifiable sound, unequivocally their own, was arrived at, wider in scope, and producing actual songs, with Willis stepping up to vocal duties. Around those songs coalesced ‘Châlet de la Roche’, the debut album out in late 2024.