By Your Side

Listening to "By Your Side" by Breakbot feels like diving into a bubbly mix of disco, soft rock, and dance that’s pure pop joy from start to finish. The two-part title track, featuring guest vocals by Pacific!, captures Breakbot's signature winsome pop and celebratory disco, transitioning from sugary harmonies in the first part to sidling basslines and laser synths in the second. Several years in the making, the album brings together many of Breakbot's previous singles, with "One Out of Two" standing out as a reminder of his ultra-stylized and irresistibly catchy sound, setting him apart from other French artists exploring similar genres since the '90s. Collaborations with Pacific!, Ruckazoid, and Irfane add to the charm, with Ruckazoid’s tenor bringing Michael Jackson-like magic to "Fantasy" and "Why," while Irfane’s softer voice shines on the '80s-tinged "Baby I'm Yours" and the more vulnerable "The Mayfly and the Light" and "Another Dawn." Although Breakbot's songs often feel like teasing promises rather than full-blown euphoria, this subtle restraint works well for the vocal tracks, though some instrumental pieces like "Programme" feel a bit subdued, waiting for a climax that never arrives. Overall, "By Your Side" is a delightful debut from Breakbot, showcasing a sound that is instantly appealing and uniquely his own.

BREAKBOT - By Your Side

RATING - 7.3/10

FAVORITE TRACKS - Fantasy, Baby Im Yours

GENRE - Disco, Electro, French house, Nu-disco, House music, Synth-pop, Boogie, Electro house