Paris-based Astral Bakers return with ‘Vertical Life’, a sophomore album that expands on the intimate, hazy palette of their 2024 debut ‘The Whole Story’, while asserting a newfound confidence and cohesion. The quartet, comprised of Ambroise, Theodora, Nico, and Zoé, eschews individual spotlighting in favour of collective storytelling, creating a record where every instrument and vocal contributes to a single, immersive soundscape.
Recorded in the U.S. with Sam Evian at the helm, the album embraces imperfection as a feature rather than a flaw. Subtle cracks in the mix, fleeting offbeat moments, and the soft friction of strings and drums give the music an organic, living quality. Each song captures both fleeting introspection and explosive emotional release, balancing indie delicacy with grunge-tinged urgency.
Guitars shimmer, sometimes delicate and reflective, sometimes sharp and propulsive, while the bass lays a cinematic foundation for each track. Drums navigate between restraint and dreamlike fluidity, giving the compositions a sense of space and weight. Vocals intertwine as if in conversation, fragile yet commanding, carrying us through tension, release, and the quiet moments in between.
‘Vertical Life’ ‘is anchored by its thematic duality. The record’s title resonates beyond metaphor, reflecting both the physical and emotional highs and lows explored throughout. There’s a sense of vertiginous movement as songs rise, tumble, and linger, leaving traces of longing, reflection, and catharsis in their wake.
‘Vertical Life’ is a living organism that grows with repeated listening, revealing deeper textures each time. It’s a compelling statement of unity, honesty, and evolution, cementing the band’s place as a quietly daring force in contemporary indie-rock.