Pan Aurora

Source: Facebook

These guys are a French synth-pop band, based in Lille, France. The first I heard of them was on Twitter, but the love has steadily grown since that day. And they sing in English, so it's all good with me.

The deep, velvety vocals on Digital Bliss are twinned with a synth acting as a bass line, simple drum beats and a very good guitar riff. Although all of these are very simple, somehow, when they're all put together, it really does work. The chorus is especially catchy, with the overdubbed backing vocals adding another layer to the simplicity of the track.

Their Twitter feed also provides some entertainment to brighten up the dreary school days (follow them at @PanAurora) The typical post has something to do with alcohol, girls, flirting and general sex things. They're articulate in French and English (not that I understand all of the French, but I try my best. My good friend Google Translate assists me at times) which is always good in a musician.

Gouge Away is another of my recommended tracks for these guys. The vocals really do remind you of Grizzly Bear, and the dark, swelling synth makes you think of Utopia. The lightness comes at 1:19, where the high-pitched synthesizer line comes in, and the voice switches register a bit. The verses are scary, about a man's masochistic wish for his lover to harm him... Well, no one ever said it was cheerful. And they are French, to be fair.

These guys really are very good, and I thoroughly recommend them to anyone interested in synth-pop and French people. Gotta love the French.