Description
Label Review.
2017 album.
Our Overview.
Self-titled album from Warhaus - the artistic alter ego and solo recording project of Maarten Devoldere of acclaimed indie act Balthazar – the follow up to last year’s celebrated debut ‘We Fucked A Flame Into Being’. Unveiling the project in 2016, Devoldere explained that it came about when members of Balthazar decided to take some time to focus on their own work. Off the back of Balthazar’s third album, Thin Walls, Devoldere retreated into his own creative space and tried to figure out the sound for his own solo effort. After some time experimenting and spending five months on a tug boat borrowed from a friend that allowed him "time to think," he eventually came up with what would be Warhaus' overall sonic palette.
‘Warhaus’ continues the darkly sensual sound Devoldere has become known for, but many of these songs were written in a much more spontaneous manner, with many recorded as live.
As in all the songs, the interplay between Devoldere’s smouldering vocals and the velvety tones of Warhaus’ backing vocalist, Sylvie Kreusch (who is also his girlfriend) lends the music an intense intimacy and their contrasting personalities feed into the sensual dynamic. “We’ve very different people,” says Devoldere. “She’s this natural force which I don’t understand at all and I’m the guy who thinks everything through. It’s an interesting combination.” A far more spontaneous affair than Warhaus’ debut release, Maarten gathered his touring band around him to make the new recording. The voodoo rhythms of Dr. John The Night Tripper’s seminal 1968 Gris-Gris weave throughout the album, after Devoldere became obsessed with the New Orleans legend’s singular sound.
Warhaus has drawn numerous comparisons to Leonard Cohen, as well as the likes of Nick Cave and Serge Gainsbourgh, and while those influences can still be heard on this new record, Devoldere also took inspiration from New Orleans legend Dr. John and the writing of Vladimir Nabokov.