One of electronic music's greats has released his long-awaited sophomore album. Sébastien Akchoté, known as his artist project SebastiAn, is a name that fans of pre-EDM boom electronic music fans remember as a sought after act, respected for his boundless style and depth. Beginning his career in the early aughts, he was a part of the clan at Ed Banger Records solidifying the French electronic sound. But years passed since we last heard from SebastiAn, with the remixes of "Love In Motion" still lingering. Today, he returns nearly eight years after the release of his last project, with an album entitled Thirst.
Thirst spans different sounds in a timeless way that only a veteran could accomplish. Collaborative by design, (the album features everyone from Gallant to Charlotte Gainsbourg, and of course a reuniting with Mayer Hawthorne), this album reads like it's written by someone with a focused mission in mind. Its presence is a reminder that when great artists go silent, they leave behind a void.
A day before the album's release, he released the music video for "Sober," featuring Bakar. Dark, dystopian overtones are matched with the Saint Laurent-produced video's melancholy omen, straight out of its cinematic parallel. Yes, it's that Saint Laurent. How French.
SebastiAn's journey can be seen in Thirst's album art. It contrasts with that of 2011's Total, which featured two people kissing. Thirst is instead an obvious photo of rage. It reflects that some moments on Thirst are pleasing, and others create real discomfort.
SebastiAn on tour:
Wed Dec 18 – Los Angeles, CA @ Fonda here
Thu Dec 19 – San Francisco, CA @ Great American Music Hall here
Sat Dec 21 – New York, NY @ Webster Hall here
Connect with SebastiAn: Facebook | Instagram | YouTube
