With “Frontière,” Dernière Volonté, the project of French artist Geoffroy Delacroix, makes an impressive comeback. Released in 2019, this album not only marks a return after a creative hiatus—it also showcases genuine artistic development, as it is one of the project’s most personal releases to date. Delacroix masterfully combines the melancholic, retro-electronic sounds of his work with modern, powerful beats. The result is a work full of emotion and sonic beauty that immediately captivates the listener.
The musical journey on “Frontière” skilfully alternates between minimalist synth elements, dark wave sounds and almost cinematic electronica. Songs like “Je parlerai du noir” are reminiscent of John Carpenter soundtracks with their sombre melodies, while the title track “Frontière” captivates with its catchy, minimalist power and driving beats. You can feel the influence of Delacroix’s parallel project Position Parallèle, which gives the synth-heavy, danceable rhythms an additional, captivating layer. However, this always remains shrouded in a patina of introversion or melancholy. Delacroix’s deep vocals, often compared to Étienne Daho, give the pieces an unmistakable, poetic touch.
The concept of “boundaries” in the title is treated masterfully, both literally and metaphorically. The lyrics tell of crossing physical and emotional boundaries – of dealing with loss and loneliness, but also of overcoming personal limitations. Delacroix addresses the disappearance of loved ones and weaves this personal experience into a universal narrative of melancholic visions and lonely places. Songs like “Dis-Moi” and “Ton Grand Sommeil” explore these themes with lyrics that are poetic and understandable.
Many highlights of the album deserve to be highlighted—they demonstrate consistently high quality. “Tu Connaîtras Mon Âme” opens the album with a hypnotic, almost sensual atmosphere. “Nous Savons Pourquoi” and “Au-Dessus Des Lois” display a rhythmic intensity reminiscent of the project’s earlier, more martial roots. However, these are presented with modern elegance and clear production value. The closing track, “Jusqu’à Ce Que…,” leaves you with a mixture of hope and resignation—a duality that is typical of the entire work.
The production is consistently high quality, with a clear yet warm sound that perfectly underscores Delacroix’s focus on emotion and atmosphere. Released as a CD with a 16-page booklet, as a limited edition vinyl record, and in high-resolution digital format, it’s clear that great care was taken with the entire artistic package. While some long-time fans may miss the more martial tones of the early works, “Frontière” is widely regarded as a logical and successful continuation of a development towards more melody, vocals, and electronic complexity. It is an album that crosses boundaries—not only thematically, but also musically—and in doing so establishes itself as a timeless fusion of the past and the present. For those who like dark wave, cold wave, and minimal electronic music, “Frontière” is an absolute must-have—proof that true artistic development lies in breaking new ground without losing one’s own distinctive voice and soul.