Montpellier, France-based rock band Deleo have been on my radar since last summer thanks to their positively delightful tracks Satellite and You Feel. Both feature on their debut album The Best is yet to Be, a story of optimism in the face of adversity.
By Graeme Smith
Deleo was originally founded by guitarist Denis Navarro, and this album’s title is a personal motto of his. The band’s name is a contraction of his own, and former singer Eleonore, the two members when they performed as a duo. The band are now a quartet and have worked with producer and arranger Philippe Uminski and My Own Records to independently release this debut.
You can hear the quality of production and performance in this album straight away with opener Notice. A bold, urgent piece of power pop rock, the guitar riffs are instantly stirring, invoking memories of The Cure or Muse. Singer Emilie’s expressive vocals are captivating. It’s a strong start.
Cosmic is an adventurous piece of sci-fi-infused rock with a bass line to die for before we reach the aforementioned You Feel. There’s something reassuringly old school about the track, yet it somehow also feels fresh and sits perfectly here in the early running to rouse the listener’s attention.
Back To Hell has a touch of ’90s psychedelia about it, with traces of Alanis Morrisette thrown in for good measure. Reason gives us brooding indie rock before we’re treated to an updated version of Going Home, one of the band’s original singles released while working with British producer James Sanger who has won twenty Grammy’s and worked with the likes of U2, Liam Gallagher and Pet Shop Boys. Mythomania and Unfair get similarly updated for the album giving us an exquisite trio at the heart of the album that emotionally wax and wane.
The album’s final stretch starts with Satellite and lyrically coupled with Lonesome Traveler the pair provide the album’s ‘it’s darkest before the dawn’ moment. We end on an updated version of Game Lover, a track that starts low and intimate before slow-building to an airy crescendo.
The best is yet to Be is quite the statement from Deleo. It says: “we are not to be ignored.” Its eleven well-picked tracks are the ultimate showcase of their sound and talents and I think they’re ready for the international stage with it. You can give the whole album a listen below.
