Le Vinyle Club Vinyl (Limited Edition Exclusive) Holocene - Theodor

A band named after a 24-year-old cat right from the start brings a coolness that makes you want to explore their world!
And it's no coincidence, as the cat in question was hanging out in the studios during Théodor's first recording.
The project, born in Berlin, Germany, was created by Lui Hill (singer and percussionist) and Robert Herz (drummer), and soon the duo was joined by Maximilian Schneider on keyboards and vocals, along with Grégoire Pignède on bass.

Once the combo was formed, recording sessions began during the pandemic. They soon secured a contract with the French label Broc Records, the current label of library music master Janko Nilovic. In 2023, their self-titled debut album was released, featuring a cover illustrated by a...cat! (perhaps the one from the studios?). Evolving in a psychedelic soul style, this first single was well received, even internationally, with the record being distributed worldwide, from Tokyo to San Francisco, and aired on prestigious stations like the famous Seattle station, KEXP.
Not wasting any time, they got back to work, with their second album set to be released the following year in 2024. The quartet has drawn references from both 70s soul and more contemporary productions, sometimes even pop. Nevertheless, while having a clear guiding line, it's apparent that the group doesn't want to be boxed into just one aesthetic.

If “Lucifer” and “Rock Top” offer modern soul compositions reminiscent of Monophonics / Kelly Finnigan, they sometimes venture into more melancholic or even cinematic instrumental experiences like “Tropical Bird”, “Thankful”, or “Serpentines”. Interestingly, the latter piece, with its organ and percussion, seems to be inspired by William DeVaughn’s classic “Be thankful for what you got”.
One of the standout tracks is “9371”, a fantastic modern soul ballad with a hypnotic melody that stretches nearly six minutes, enveloping you in a bubble of sensuality. A true success. And what can be said about “Your Love”? Likely the funkiest track on the album, with its round and groovy bass, psychedelic organ, and silky backing vocals, it leads you to an irresistible urge to dance.
Finally, the album concludes with “Guadeloupe”, a poppier track, and “Le Chat et le Soleil” (yes, another cat!), a song in French with a minimalist 70s drum machine reminiscent of those used by Sly Stone or Timmy Thomas.

The real success of Theodor is both in immersing us in familiar atmospheres while offering compositions that have their own identity.
If you like Khruangbin, Common Saints, or even Air, you should easily find something to enjoy here.
Plus, you have the bonus of experiencing it with an exclusive and limited edition Vinyle Club and a yellow vinyl!
And for those who want to take the experience even further, they will be performing live on April 18 at Popup! in Paris, a unique opportunity to discover the album Holocene live!

Arnaud Brailly

THE ANECDOTE

In December 2024, the band released Glades and avenues / Apogee of Hypnos, a limited-edition 7-inch, published by the German label Sundae Soul Recordings. This label specializes in soul and northern soul reissues, and occasionally allows for more recent productions. It was offered in two different covers, each limited to 150 copies, showcasing the band's commitment to physical formats and beautiful pieces. A remix version by Knowsum has also just been released digitally. An open-minded band indeed, making it all the more reason to keep an eye on them.