College - Secret Diary

by Adrian Huggins

published: 11 / 5 / 2013

Label: Invada Records
Format: CD

Comfortingly predictable but brilliant debut album from College, the alias of French electro musician David Grellier

Review

College is the alias of French electro musician David Grellier who is from Nantes. It would be hard not to draw comparisons as a result with other well-known French electronic/dance artists such as Air, Daft Punk and Justice, from France, and blending together hypnotic Daft Punk quality, Air’s dreaminess and Justice's ‘too cool for school’ feel College could be described as the missing link between them. Previously gaining recognition for his part in creating the soundtrack for the film ‘Drive’, College has built up somewhat of an underground following, and listening to this album it is not hard to see why. As this is electronica music, much of which is instrumental, and when I throw the phrase ‘Eighties-tastic’ into the fray, you’ll probably have an idea of what to expect. Coupled with the album's artwork which is uncompromisingly 80’s-inspired, it’s comfortingly predictable but therein lies it’s brilliance. There’s a lot to be said for completely owning the corner you’ve painted yourself into. After reading up on College, I can see why things have gone the way they have. Us music geeks love stuff like this. If you were a fan of Neon Neon's ‘Stainless Style’ album you will probably enjoy this. It has that warmth and soul to it that is often hard to capture, particularly on electronic and computer-based instruments. College’s music sounds like a soundtrack, without feeling like music that only serves as a backing track.

Track Listing:-

1 Fighting for Life
2 The Energy Storm (Feat. Minitel Rose)
3 When You Smile
4 Secret Diary
5 Desire
6 Gate Number 5
7 Something Wrong Tonight
8 Burning By the Stars
9 She Never Came Back (Feat. Electric Youth)
10 I Think About It
11 The Golden Messenger
12 Fantasy Park (Feat. Anoraak)
13 I Need a Better Engine
14 End Theme

Band Links:-

http://www.valeriecollective.com/
https://www.facebook.com/College-24743
https://twitter.com/CollegeValerie
http://collegeoflove.tumblr.com/
https://instagram.com/collegevalerie/
http://www.last.fm/fr/music/College