Ahead of their new album, French-Indie rising stars Astral Bakers are in a pure, serene indie moment…
photo credit: Louise Desnos
Astral Bakers’ Healing is one of those rare songs that seems to arrive fully formed, carrying both fragility and strength in equal measure. Written by Ambroise as a gesture of comfort for a friend in need, the track radiates a quiet universality—it doesn’t just speak to one person, but to anyone who’s ever leaned on someone else during a difficult stretch. There’s a warmth in the way the band delivers it, a sense of community and shared breath, as if the song belongs less to its creators and more to anyone who listens. With an emphasis on emotion and authentic, indie songwriting – we've been fans of Astral Bakers since their emphatic single "A Dog In A Manger"
The story of how it came to be only deepens its resonance. While recording at Sam Evian’s Catskills studio, a sudden thunderstorm broke over the session. Lightning literally struck—Ambroise was briefly shocked mid-take—yet the band, shaken but undeterred, kept the moment alive. Those charged recordings, layered with real risk and resilience, became the foundation of Healing. It feels almost poetic: a song about weathering storms, born in the middle of one.
Musically, Healing floats somewhere between intimate folk and widescreen indie rock. The guitars gleam like fading light on water, the rhythm section moves with unhurried steadiness, and the harmonies weave together with a natural ease. It evokes both Adrianne Lenker’s raw honesty and the sweeping landscapes of The War on Drugs, but never feels imitative.
Catch Astral Bakers LIVE at Rough Trade, Denmark Street London
03.10 – Waves Vienna, VIENNE 🇦🇹
17.10 – Wild Path Festival, NORWICH 🇬🇧
