Alvin Chris is a rising French emcee, vocalist, producer and beatmaker. Two years ago, I wrote about “Question de temps,” a slickly produced, summertime banger that meshed elements of dancehall, Afropop, electro pop and alt-pop paired with an infectious hook, some 80s soul pop sax soloing and Chris sonorous and plaintive crooning. But interestingly underneath the club vibes, the song is a bit ambivalent, as it captures an all-too familiar situation: a narrator, who finds himself in a promising, new romantic situation — but it might be quickly tarnished by his doubts, fears and insecurities.
Late last year, the rising French artist announced that his forthcoming EP Aprés Vous will drop on February 4, 2022. The EP will reportedly see Alvin Chris further establishing his genre-defying sound while revealing an artist, whose songwriting and production has grown more mature.
The EP’s latest single “Bug”is a slickly produced bit of electro pop with elements of dancehall and trap, centered around glistening synth arpeggios, thumping beats, skittering hi-hats paired Chris’ dexterous bars and crooned hook. Underneath the infectious, dance floor and radio friendly vibes, the song lyrically is a subtle yet incisive send-up of our consumerist world.
Directed by Johane Riachy, the recently released video for “Bug” starts off with the rising French artist being approached by security officers while he sits a scooter and looks at his phone. But we quickly flash back to a night at the club with some gorgeous black people — and arguably one fo the oddest meals you’ve seen in some time.