Situated somewhere between aesthetic lo-fi and noise pop, this second album from the French group En Attendant Ana takes its inspiration from the various losses endured by the group, according to singer and lyricist Margaux Bouchadon. Despite the resolutely sombre theme and tone, the spontaneity and freshness are the biggest takeaways of the ten tracks that make up the album. Dominated by guitars and brass, the elegant arrangements enrobe often bubbling melodies, most of them written in a major key. Tracks like Somewhere and Somehow and In / Out are probably the most emblematic of this simultaneously joyful and harsh aesthetic. In fact, it’s important to recognise the rhythm section’s important work on this album: Antoine Vaugelade on the bass and Adrien Pollin on drums. The band does indeed give sense to the overall theme of the album at times, like the long and melancholy intro of From My Bruise to an Island, or the bittersweet harmonies of the splendid song Words. After listening to this radiant Juillet, one comes to the conclusion that this album is less about the concept of loss itself, but rather its acceptance. © Nicolas Magenham/Qobuz