Moodoïd

The ambitious creation of Parisian multi-instrumentalist Pablo Padovani, Moodoïd's songs knows no borders in time or geography.

Moodoïd started off as a guitarist for Melody's Echo Chamber and first explored a psychedelic terrain with his own compositions, evoking the spirit of Tropicalia’s exhilarating experimentation, the fractured-pop tropes of Connan Mockasin, and the freedom of 70s French prog. Moodoïd’s first album Le Monde Möö was released in 2014 and followed his acclaimed Kevin Parker (of Tame Impala fame) produced self titled debut EP (2013) which showcased the multiple talents and obsessions of its leader: psychedelism, glam rock, world music and experimental pop. His wild arrangements are rife with exuberant flair, taking a lot of liberties but never nearing self-indulgence.

Always one for a reinvention, Pablo’s work feels like a runaway train, charging through stations without ever once looking back and Cité Champagne, his second album follows in the transformative footsteps of his Reptile EP released in November 2017.

The otherworldly from before has been replaced by a man who talks about sex, love, adulthood.

Despite such metamorphosis, the underlying theme remains the same, that of taking the listener into a surreal, dream-like world via a soundtrack for delight, happiness and love.

Cité Champagne is also the album where Pablo learnt a different working method. Backed by a live band from the young Parisian jazz scene, he concocted a multi-facetted pop.

He enrolled Pierre Rousseau (one half of French band Paradis) for production duties, to craft a coherent musical universe, adding a touch of modernity to his initial desire to “make an album like they did in the 80s” (that’s to say, tracks recorded performing live, all together as a band). Sensual, funky and mixed with synths, Cité Champagne takes us on a trip to a festive, fantastical city.