Founded in 2010 by four high school students in Sens, Burgundy,
not so much a historical cradle of rock, Johnny Mafia has built
over time a relentless reputation as a live band. And in two
albums and nearly 250 concerts, has managed to impose itself at
the top of a new French scene that never ceases to surprise. After
a second album recorded by Jim Diamond (The White Stripes, The
Fleshtones, The Sonics) and widely acclaimed by the specialized
press, it is to the local pointure Kris Banel, behind the handles of
many excellent French punk rock records, that the group turns to
prepare the continuation, recorded in Warmaudio studio in spring
2020. Composed over a much tighter period than their previous
records, the aptly named Sentimental gains in coherence as well
as in intensity. The band moves away from the garage rock that
characterized their previous records, and leaves more room to
major influences of long time, Pixies and Breeders in head. Under
powerful walls of guitars that one would think came straight out
of a time when MTV was still synonymous with coolness, the band
piles up furious tracks with indelible refrains, imbued with an
astonishing pop sensibility that gives all its meaning to the title of
this new record; and tries in passing some judicious arrangements
without losing sight of the essential. Sentimental is one of those
records where you feel that the band knew exactly where they
wanted to go, and that they knew how to do it. A spontaneous,
uncomplicated and particularly enjoyable indie rock album, a real
instant classic as it is not released every day in France.
