L'Imperatrice
Tako Tsubo 2LP vinyl

Broken heart syndrome is no fictional disorder. The phenomenon has a name: Tako Tsubo (or "octopus trap" in Japanese). It's an upheaval of the senses, an emotional burnout... It weakens the heart's main pumping chamber brought on by intense emotional distress: an earthquake or a natural disaster, or something less (literally) earth shattering like the loss of a loved one or the angst felt when one is spurned by a lover. Modern science is yet to find a cure. Tako Tsubo is a breakup album, and Matahari's romantic streak - predicated on the idea of an idealised heroine - has made way for a landscape more anchored in reality.

L'Impératrice has certainly kept his taste for dance, groove on a virtuoso bass, vintage synths and glittery melodies. But gave himself the freedom to explore other lands, to step aside. It's a journey that has broadened the horizons of all of those who sail in the Empress.As for the elegance of the production, L'Impératrice has again teamed up with Renaud Letang (Jarvis Cocker, Liane La Havas, Feist) and Neal Pogue (Outkast, Stevie Wonder, Tyler the Creator) adding his mastery to the mixing.

Perhaps most surprising is the deep exploration of the avenues of the heart, and in particular, the left ventricle. Ambivalent love, euphoria, sorrow and madness: so many symptoms which, taken together, suggest a bad dose of Tako Tsubo. It's a syndrome that leaves the heart damaged, submerged, swollen. And more alive than ever.

NEW / Released in 2021

Tracklist:

A1 Anomalie Bleue

A2 Fou

A3 Hématome

B1 Submarine

B2 L'Equilibriste

B3 Off To The Side

C1 Peur Des Filles

C2 Souffle Au Coeur

C3 Tako Tsubo

C4 Voodoo?

D1 Digital Sunset

D2 Tombée Pour La Scène

D3 Tant D'Amour Perdu