Le Concorde - 'Second Mansions'

After a fourteen-year absence, Stephen Becker rekindles his Le Concorde project with 'Second Mansions', a record that feels like both a homecoming and a revelation. From the first shimmering synths of 'Corpus Christi', the album unfolds with a meticulous attention to detail, where each flourish, vocal line, and orchestral texture produces a soundscape that is simultaneously expansive and intimately personal.

Airy, angelic moments on tracks like 'Morning by Morning' give way to ecstatic crescendos in 'Thérèse of Lisieux', creating a dynamic that feels cinematic yet human. He navigates themes of spirituality and everyday life with ease, weaving sacred imagery into reflections on modernity and emotion.

But the production is where 'Second Mansions' truly dazzles. Working with legendary producer Calum Malcolm and an elite lineup including Pino Palladino and Jamie West-Oram, the album pulses with life. Guitars swoon and synth lines glisten, anchored by a rhythm section that swings with elegance.

Throughout this new collection, Becker reasserts pop as a vessel for wonder, reflection, and gravity, crafting music that sparkles with sophistication without losing its human core. 'Second Mansions' is a masterclass in balancing grandeur with intimacy, a record that feels timeless while standing firmly in the present.

With heartfelt songwriting, lush arrangements, and immaculate production, 'Second Mansions' is a triumphant statement from an artist who continues to shape the language of modern art-pop.