French Vague – “Ride the Wave”

I just discovered “Ride the Wave”, the new single from London singer-songwriter Greg Hermann, who records under the name French Vague, and it has been stuck in my head all day. It came out this past Thursday, May 28, and serves as a teaser for his upcoming debut EP, “Joyfully Downbeat”, which lands on June 26.

The track was produced by Jacob Blizard, and it is a really interesting mix of indie folk and rock. Hermann apparently recorded this at home during a chaotic time in his life, he was dealing with the heavy grief of losing his mother and ending a long relationship, while simultaneously realizing he was falling in love with someone new. You can actually hear that emotional messiness in the music.

He plays guitar, mandocello, and octave mandolin, layering them with this gritty, DIY percussion. The whole thing has a cool alternative vibe that reminds me of 90s indie rock mixed with a bit of the Grateful Dead. His vocals have a distinct French accent, which pairs nicely with the contrast between the upbeat acoustic instruments and the gloomy lyrics. It is a song about accepting whatever chaotic situation life throws at you, whether it is good or bad.

If you want to keep up with his music, go find French Vague on Instagram or YouTube so you don’t miss the EP release later this month.