Album review in StadtRevue Cologne

Nice to see a bit of love for “Romantic Music Plays Loudly”, this time in Cologne’s great city paper, the StadtRevue.

Pop. There are always albums. which remind us that self-release platforms like Bandcamp are perhaps a great invention after all: the Astrid & Alexander LP »[romantic music plays loudly]« is one such example.

Anyone who loves pop even in its sweeter manifestations, who has a heart for wonderfully crafted but easy-going melodies, who likes chanson à la Gainsbourg/Birkin and Burt Ba-charach, has come to the right place. Carried by the genuine mezzo-soprano of the Parisian Astrid Rostaing, who now lives in Berlin and has already been able to inspire a small audience with the group Soft Regime, the eleven pieces blow effortlessly and weightlessly through the four walls at home (or the pair of earpods). Concentratedly instrumentalized with guitar, bass, a touch of computer magic and sweet drum settings, the songs swing through sophisticated pop, early summer vibes on the English Riviera. The necessary British touch comes from London singer/songwriter Alexander Mayor aka Alexander's Festival Hall.

In his first life with the dancey synthpop trio Baxendale, Mayor now proves his skills as a sensitive writer and arranger. He has conjured up a really delightful album with his new partner-in-crime.