North London alt-indie duo Blue Violet – are set to release their second album ”Faux Animaux” on the 24th of January, you can now read our review 

North London duo Blue Violet, made up of husband and wife Sam and Sarah Gotley, have crafted something extraordinary with Faux Animaux. Following their debut, this second album dives deeper into experimental territory, blending haunting lyrics, textured soundscapes, and striking harmonies. Set for release on January 24, Faux Animaux is a genre-defying journey that deserves your attention.

The opener, “Sweet Success,” starts with a robotic voice that immediately grabs your attention. It’s eerie, futuristic, and undeniably captivating. Sarah’s vocals weave seamlessly with the grainy, distorted beats, painting a bleak picture of modern existence: “You’ll live your life like an animal, you’ll never go hungry anymore.” The experimental outro leaves you wondering where this album will take you next, and trust me, it’s a wild ride.

“Imagine Me” is sultry and playful, with lines like “Sipping martini like a pornstar” adding a touch of mischievous charm. Sam’s haunting chant, “We go underground,” creates an almost hypnotic contrast to Sarah’s dreamy delivery. The track has a slow groove that builds gradually, drawing you into its seductive undercurrent.

“Survival” strips things back for a slower, more introspective moment. Sarah’s vocals are raw and emotive as she pleads, “Every time you let me go, I turn on survival mode.” The minimal instrumentation gives the lyrics room to breathe, making this one of the most vulnerable moments on the album.

The hauntingly beautiful “Talking to You” feels like a confessional. The lyrics—“Madness isn’t sadness, I sat with both for a while”—are deeply introspective, and the slow, deliberate pacing encourages you to sit with the emotions. It’s a track that lingers long after it ends, offering a quiet pause in the album’s journey.

Then comes “The Librarian,” a standout that gives Sam the lead vocals for the first time on this record. His deep and word bending lyrics, like “I joined the church when I wanted to believe in something, I bought a stopwatch when I wanted to run,” unravel a story of self-discovery, sobriety, and the passage of time. Sarah’s harmonies add a delicate balance, and the cadence of the song is simply mesmerizing. It’s the kind of track you’ll find yourself replaying over and over, I know I have. This one is going straight into my playlists.

“Cold Hearts” brings Sarah back to the forefront with a chill, reflective vibe. The line “We grow apart to find out who we are” captures the bittersweet essence of change and connection. The track’s slow fade-out feels like a quiet exhale before the energy ramps up again.

“Boogie Shoes” is a curveball, injecting some much-needed levity with its infectious beat and playful lyrics: “Dance for pleasure, dance for pain, dust off your boogie shoes and dance again.” It’s impossible not to move along, and the tongue-in-cheek delivery makes it a standout moment of fun. This, like others still to come really show how talented this duo are. The vast amount of emotions you could feel listening to this record is a testament to their creativity.

“Fire” keeps you on your toes with its unexpected shifts. A bouncy beat contrasts with slower, more contemplative sections, and the lyrics, “For you, I would wait for a thousand years,” deliver a mix of devotion and longing. A stunning guitar solo midway through showcases the duo’s instrumental talent, adding another layer to an already rich track.

“Teeth Out” is haunting and raw, with harmonies that cut deep. Lines like “Ain’t it time we all drew some blood?” give the song that protest-like edge, while the slower pace lets the emotional weight sink in. It’s a close contender for the album’s most powerful track. There is real meaning behind this track. Listening back, this track could get is own review and article, the work the duo have put into this is exceptional.

“Barefoot on the Seine” is poetic and deeply moving. Sarah’s vivid imagery—“I took a plane to France to dance with my lover, but I forgot to pack my shoes”—is woven into a melancholic tale of love, rebellion, and self-discovery. The song’s shifting unexpected (and trust me, they are unexpected) instrumentals and repeated calls for the “right to love” make it a poignant anthem.

The title track, “Faux Animaux,” closes the album with haunting elegance. Starting with Sarah’s ethereal vocals, it transitions into Sam’s reflective verse: “No matter how much you love rock and roll, sooner or later you’ll have to let it go.” The track’s slow fade-out feels like the perfect ending to an album that is as introspective as it is boundary-pushing.

With Faux Animaux, Blue Violet have crated something very beautiful. It would be a disservice to the duo to call them just musicians, they’re not just musicians—they’re storytellers, experimenters, and poets. Sam and Sarah Gotley’s synergy as a duo is undeniable, and this album captures their evolution into something truly remarkable. Whether you’re drawn to the introspection of “The Librarian” or the electrifying energy of “Boogie Shoes,” there’s something here for everyone. Faux Animaux is a great success. It’s an album to get lost in, to think about, and to feel deeply.

The duo have their Album launch show lined up in London on the 25th of January and an album tour that sees them play Edinburgh, Glasgow and Dundee in February.

JANUARY
(Album launch date)
Sat 25 London The Grace 

FEBRUARY
(Scottish album launch dates)
Wed 05 Edinburgh Sneaky Pete’s
Thu 06 Glasgow King Tuts
Fri 07 Dundee Beat Generator

Tickets available here: https://www.songkick.com/artists/10169018-blue-violet

Pre-order the album here

”Faux Animaux” gets a very well deserved 8 out 0f 10

Rating: 8 out of 10.


Reviewer – Alan Robinson @alan_robinson_photography

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