Modern Men are back at it again. The French electro-punk project has dropped a new single, Antifrance, a tantalizing appetizer for their full-length album slated for 2024. Following their 2021 EP Partout en France, they seem to be tweaking their sound, veering towards a more electro vibe; swapping their leather jackets for something with a bit more circuitry and flak, evoking a more industrial-grade processed sound.
Enter Martin, the new dynamo in the duo, steering Modern Men’s sound into uncharted, yet electrifying waters. But fear not, purists! This isn’t a complete wardrobe change. The core ethos of nihilism, self-destruction, and a certain befuddlement with the modern world – akin to taking a sledgehammer to a failed attempt to assemble IKEA furniture without instructions – remains as intact as ever. Modern Men are renovating their musical house, but keeping the foundation firmly rooted in the angst and disquiet of their first two EPs.
The explosive lyrics to Antifrance delve into the theme of societal pressures and power dynamics, starting with a shared passion for targeting and pointing fingers at easy prey. There’s a critique of rigid societal norms that force conformity, and an observation of how the powerful often crush the weak, drawing a parallel to the Indochina conflict. The song also reflects on the allure of superficial glamour and the deceptions it breeds. It pays homage to heroic comrades fallen in battle, while criticizing a resistance war against France that ironically benefits drug dealers. The oppressed are depicted as crushed and marginalized, treated as mere nuisances.
Listen to “Antifrance” below or via the streaming service of your choice here:
In the bustling heart of Paris, the duo known as Modern Men emerged in 2018, stitching together a sound as eclectic as the city’s fashion. Their fusion of punk, electronic beats, and noise textures is a combination as intriguing as that of a French café serving sushi.
For these two collaborators, Modern Men also serves as their emotional escape hatch, unleashing their pent-up anger and anxiety in high-octane, cathartic shows.
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