❉ Ange Chan reviews the Anglo-French synthpop duo’s newest track.
Regular readers of We Are Cult will remember reading about Scenius’ previous single and album releases. However, if you are new here, or need a reminder, Scenius are an Anglo-French synthpop duo, of some many years standing. With Steve Whitfield on synths and Fabrice Nau on vocals, together they produce quality electronica for your listening pleasure. Scenius describe their music as ‘lending the sounds of early synth pop outfits, and the spirit of post-Punk, with a modern approach’.
Since their previous album, Life is a Thing released in 2023, where they explored the contrasts of life before and after the global pandemic, they’ve been recording new material, the first of which is Funny Sky. It’s the first of three further releases planned over the Spring/Summer months and will culminate in a new album being released in the Autumn, the title of which will be Thirteen Billion Dark Years.
The single has the catchiest synth hook, with a darker underlying sound carrying the song forwards, compelling you to listen. I hear echoes of early Human League but with Scenius’ own signature sound and first-rate production. The innovative synthesizer hook is the thing that drives the song forward though and as soon as the song finished, I wanted to play it repeatedly. Coupled with Fab’s vocal talent, Funny Sky is an eminently danceable track which deserves success. It pushes the boundaries of darkwave to new limits, whilst retaining an edge to make it stand out from the crowd. Described by the band as “Shadowy, yet strangely uplifting”, synth guy Steve says that lyrically, ‘the track captures the feeling of sensing an impending threat; something beyond our control. It evokes the urge to both brace ourselves for the future whilst making the most of the present moment’.
If you’re a fan of Scenius (and quite frankly, why wouldn’t you be?) they have some exciting news of some live shows coming up later this year in France, at the start of October. They will hope to extend this to the UK in late October, and I for one will be at the front of the queue for tickets! Watch this space for further news on that, and what’s next for the band.
❉ ‘Funny’ Sky by Scenius was released on 11.4.25 and is available to stream/download via Spotify, Deezer, Apple Music, Tidal, Qobuz, iTunes, and YouTubeMusic.
❉ Ange Chan is a Freelance Writer, having produced two novels and six volumes of poetry. A prominent contributor to Me and the Starman (available by Cult Ink on Amazon) and lifelong lover of music, Ange is also We Are Cult’s Social Media Administrator.
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