French pioneer Justine Daaé has always done things independently. Her last album under the name ELYOSE, “Déviante” (2023), was filled with francophone industrial, electronic and modern metal songs and the new album “Évidence”, out on January 10, will be no different, except for one track with English lyrics. Since 2022, Justine works with multi-instrumentalist Anthony Chognard and that collaboration is running smoothly. We caught up with Justine to talk about “Évidence”.
You’ve been working with Anthony Chognard for a while now, in what way do you complement each other?
“Anthony and I have developed a great synergy over the years. He’s incredibly talented when it comes to production and creating powerful, intricate instrumentals that perfectly complement my vocal style. I’m more focused on melody, lyrics, and the overall emotional expression in our music. Together, we combine our strengths to craft a sound that is both hard-hitting and evocative, and I think our collaboration pushes us both to constantly evolve.”
ELYOSE’s new album “Évidence” was achieved by a crowdfunding project. Did you have any doubts while it was running that you wouldn’t raise the money?
“Absolutely! Crowdfunding is always a leap of faith. You put your trust in your fans and supporters, and it’s impossible not to feel some anxiety about whether they’ll rally behind your vision. But our community has always been incredibly supportive. Seeing how many people believe in us and want to see us succeed was heartwarming and gave us the confidence to deliver the best album we could.”
You released two videos off the album so far, “Immuable” and “Théogyne 2.0”. The latter was kind of racy with you scantily dressed in a round cage. Was that your own idea?
“Yes, it was my idea. The concept of “Théogyne 2.0” is about exploring freedom and sensuality without constraints, and I wanted the visuals to reflect that. The cage symbolizes both confinement and liberation, and the styling was chosen to underline the daring and provocative themes of the song. It’s always a fine balance, but I wanted it to be artistic and empowering.”
“Évidence” opens with an industrial metal song titled “Mission Lunaire” about, if I’m correct, a mission to the moon to rescue planet Earth that has become a desolated desert. Are you worried about the future of mankind?
“I was actually inspired by a South Korean TV show called “The Silent Sea”, which I had watched just before Anthony sent me the draft of the song. When he told me, “Be prepared to embark on a spaceship with this one”, I immediately connected it to the visuals and storyline of the show. I envisioned the song as a soundtrack to its futuristic atmosphere, capturing the journey through mysteries and suspense in a thrilling, cinematic ambiance. It’s a tribute to the show’s compelling narrative and a creative way to reflect its themes through music.”
Next song “Tentatives Échouées” is about AI and algorithms. The title of the songs says a ‘failed attempt’. In what way are you threatened by them?
“AI and algorithms are incredible tools, but they also have a darker side. They’re shaping our lives in ways we often don’t realize, from the content we see online to how our data is used. “Tentatives Échouées” speaks to the feeling of losing control – of failing to retain our humanity and individuality in a world increasingly dominated by artificial systems. It’s not about rejecting technology but about staying aware and critical of its influence.”
Skipping two songs, we arrive at “L’écho des Délices”. Interesting title. How would you explain the title and the lyrics in layman’s terms?
“The title “L’écho des Délices” translates to “The Echo Of Delights.” The song delves into the theme of guilt associated with pleasure – being torn between morality and desire. The forbidden is ultimately transgressed without specifying exactly what it entails, and “L’écho des Délices” intertwines with a reflection on why something ‘bad’ (relatively speaking) can feel good in certain contexts. Additionally, the classical choirs in the bridge, sung in Latin, evoke a religious
context, making it easy to imagine any kind of forbidden behaviors within that framework.”
Fast forward to the end of the album, “Rise And Reclaim” is the only song with English lyrics. What made you decide to give this one English instead of French lyrics?
““Rise And Reclaim” felt like the right song to connect with our broader, international audience. While French is at the core of our identity, we also have fans who don’t speak the language, and this song’s universal themes of empowerment and resilience made it a perfect candidate for English lyrics. It’s a call to action that I wanted everyone to feel connected to, regardless of language.”
“Évidence” is not really an album for the masses. For that, the music is too limited and not everybody has enough knowledge of the French language to understand the lyrics. But fans of industrial / electronic metal will be thrilled, as well as the older ELYOSE fans. Here’s your chance to recommend it to every metal fan out there.
“We’re not trying to appeal to everyone. If that were the goal, we’d be making pop music in English, wouldn’t we? Paradoxically, being part of a micro-niche is what allows us to thrive as musicians. We prefer to be a big fish in a small pond, building a dedicated fan base of passionate listeners with specific tastes. Here’s how I’d pitch “Évidence”: it’s an album that takes you on a journey through a unique blend of industrial, electronic, and modern metal. It’s intense, cinematic, and unapologetically daring. Even if you don’t understand every lyric, the music itself speaks a universal language – one of raw energy and deep emotion. If you love bold, boundary-pushing metal with soaring, ethereal female vocals, this album was made for you. If not, then “Évidence” is definitely not your cup of tea – and that’s okay!” ■
Henk van Nieuwenhoven
