With recorded output that includes 2018’s full-length debut, Polymood, 2019’s Sauropoda, 2020’s Noshtta EP and 2021’s Confusions, the acclaimed Swiss-based group L’Eclair, founded and led by Bulgarian-born siblings Stef and Yavov Lilov firmly established themselves as masters of mind-bending, cosmic-leaning groove.
Along with two live sessions for KEXP, which amassed over 900,000 views combined, the Swiss-based group have built up an international following, while landing on the playlists of adventurous listeners and DJs seeking deep grooves.
The acclaimed JOVM mainstays, highly-anticipated fourth album Cloud Drifter is slated for a June 20, 2025 release through Innovative Leisure. Meticulously crafted over the last four years, Cloud Drifter is a decided and radical departure from the group’s long-held instrumental approach, with teh album’s material featuring vocals from a wide and eclectic array of frequent collaborators that they’ve worked with over the past handful of years, including Pink Slifu, Girl Named GOLDEN, Gelli Haha, A Ghost Column, and more.
Having toured with The Cinematic Orchestra and W.I.T.C.H. — including writing and recording W.I.T.C.H.’s 2023 effort Zango and The Cinematic Orchestra’s forthcoming album this year, as well as production work with Varnish La Piscine and Maston, the Lilov brothers have assembled a vast network of likeminded musicians. And across the entire album, they keenly curate a cohesive vision incorporating many disparate contributions.
In the lead-up to Cloud Drifter‘s release later this month, I’ve written about two of the album’s previously released singles:
- “ODESSOS,” which featured Phoebe Coco‘s and A Ghost Column’s ethereal vocals paired with twinkling and oscillating synths and a dub-inspired motorik groove. While being one of the most club friendly songs the acclaimed Swiss outfit has ever released, “ODESSOS” is a bold, sonic left turn that retains the group’s long-held penchant for crafting mind-bending, expansive grooves. And perhaps more than ever, the track manages to convey the freewheeling, improvisation-driven and infectious energy of their live shows.
- “VERTIGO,” a synth-driven, deep house instrumental that sounds like a synthesis of the material off 2021’s Confusions, Larry Levan-era house and krautrock, anchored around the Swiss unerring knack for hooks and mind-bending groove.
“REPLICA M001,” Cloud Drifter‘s latest single features experimental rapper Pink Slifu audaciously spitting swaggering yet breezy bars over a lush, dreamy bit of film score-meets-jazz club jazz that opens with a swelling and swooning, cinematic strings before quickly morphing into a slow-burning, late night swing that effortlessly follows the ebbs and flows of his unique cadence. While recalling Digable Planets and Ishmael Butler‘s various other projects, “REPLICA M001” reveals a supremely talented band that can seemingly play anything — and at any time.
The JOVM mainstays will return to the States for a run of West Cost dates. Check out the tour dates below. And if they’re at a city near you, I strongly suggest catching them do their thing.
2025 US Tour Dates:
October 22 – San Diego, CA @ Soda Bar
October 23 – Phoenix, AZ @ Valley Bar
October 26 – Austin, TX @ The 13th Floor
October 29 – Denver, CO @ Hi-Dive
October 30 – Salt Lake City, UT @ Urban Lounge
October 31 – Boise, ID @ The Shrining
November 1 – Portland, OR @ Jack London Revue
November 4 – Bellingham, WA @ The Shakedown
November 5 – Vancouver, BC @ Fox Cabaret
November 7 – Seattle, WA @ Freakout Fest
November 8 – Bend, OR @ Domino Room
November 10 – San Francisco, CA @ Rickshaw Stop
November 11 – Santa Cruz, CA @ Moe’s Alley
November 12 – Los Angeles, CA @ Lodge Room
November 14 – San Luis Obispo, CA @ SLO Brew