Superbus: On The River

A new unreleased track by Superbus has emerged ahead of the release of the band's sixth album this summer.

On The River is available to anyone who pre-orders the new album Sixtape, which is due out on June 3.

Meanwhile, a new promo video has emerged for the track Strong and Beautiful, the first single from the album, marking the group's return to activity.

Their most recent track before was their version of Téléphone's Un autre Monde, the unquestionable highlight of the mixed bag that was the  Ça, (C'est vraiment nous) various artists tribute album.

Their last full album was 2012's Sunset album, which reached number five in the French album charts. Since then Superbus vocalist Jenn Ayache released a solo album, entitled +001.

Superbus have a tour in October and November, with a show at le Trianon in Paris on October 29.

Review: Ça (C'est vraiment nous)

Today sees the release of  tribute album to French new wave legends Téléphone entitled Ça (C'est
vraiment nous), with a selection of artists interpreting the work of the seminal French act.

Recent years have seen similar albums spotlighting Renaud, Jean-Jacques Goldman and Jacques Dutronc.

Songs on the new collection include La bombe humaine, interpreted by Gaëtan Roussel, Hygiaphone by Zaz and Anna by Tété.  The album was preceded by the single Un autre monde, performed by Superbus

Whatever your feelings on the artists involved, these projects stand or fall on the strength of the songs. In the case of Téléphone, that's  pretty strong start. Most of Téléphone's best songs are here.

 But the interpretations throughout seem a bit polite.  This certainly isn't Téléphone  re-invented as Rage aganst The (answering) Machine.

The version of Argent trop cher for example loses its sense of injustice, too much reverence, not enough venom.  Still,  Zaz's take on Hygiaphone and Gaëtan Roussel's La bombe humaine retain the edge of the originals.

If the purpose of the album is to get people thinking about Téléphone and their songs, then job done.

But if its purpose is to suggests these artists should be held in the same regard as Téléphone, not so much.