Dead Chic jumps on the scene with a fantastic debut album, Serenades & Damnation, blending stoner rock and gospel influences. Review.
SERENADES & DAMNATION – DEAD CHIC
This hedonistic cult preaches sin to sinners, embracing what forms human nature and the essence of their art—a subtle mix of stoner rock infused with gospel, blues, garage and more. This cult is Dead Chic, and they deliver their message through Serenades & Damnation. Playing as if tomorrow would never come, with passion, pain, love, and warmth, the band offers an utterly vibrant album. It’s no coincidence that the album opens with Hedonista. Everything is already there—the texture of the vocals, the organ, and the depth of their production. It’s dark, hypnotic, and irresistible. I dive in head first!
Dead Chic also knows how to craft catchy tunes with Serenades & Damnation, while maintaining an atmosphere swaying between melancholy and passion. First with Fortune, and later with the extraordinary Paris. More surprising still, ¿Cuánto Cuesta? introduces a more menacing rock vibe with stripped-down vocal textures, making it a standout gem on the album. Then comes their duet with Tuğçe Şenoğul on Mirage, exuding immense sensuality—a contrast and complement to the preceding track. Romance returns to a more classic rock feel with an epic progression, followed by Manchester, which is absolutely heart-wrenching!
Some real serenades, holding broken hearts in their core, come with the sublime, delicate, and moving All Seasons Change, as well as the epic and captivating Pain Love Joy. The latter is a personal favourite! Souvenir follows, with a hauntingly catchy refrain in French and a stormy, warm, and unsettling mood. Dead Chic closes Serenades & Damnation with Know Your Worth, just as passionate as the rest. This track is a perfect conclusion, bringing a spiritual and optimistic dimension to their already profoundly meaningful music. Sublime! What a debut!
The band will be live at La Boule Noire, Paris, in May 2025.
