DEHORS delves into urban life in Paris with dreamy lens in “Contrenuit”
In the heart of Paris, a concrete jungle pulsates with tension, setting the stage for dehors to craft a musical narrative that encapsulates the city’s essence. Their latest EP, Contrenuit, unveiled on March 7, 2025, weaves together the ethereal quality of shoegaze with the raw intensity of screamo, while infusing elements of post-rock and post-hardcore to create a multifaceted sonic experience.
With Contrenuit, dehors offers listeners a glimpse into the metropolitan chaos, portraying a raw and atmospheric soundscape that reflects the intricacies of urban life. The cover art, featuring a northeastern Paris building marked by fire against a vast sky, encapsulates the duality of beauty and decay inherent in their music.
Drawing inspiration from a diverse range of musical influences, dehors incorporates elements of shoegaze, dream pop, black metal, post-hardcore, and indie into their sound. Studio collaboration with Étienne Sarthou for Contrenuit prompted the band to refine their unique sonic identity, blending riff-driven compositions with expansive atmospheric textures.
Transitioning from instrumental compositions to French lyrics was a deliberate choice for dehors, highlighting a departure from the conventional music market norms. By embracing French as their lyrical medium, dehors pays homage to punk bands like Syndrome 81, Litovsk, and Trait d’union, while carving out a distinct space for their artistic expression in the industry.
Contrenuit delves deep into the complexities of city life, exploring the notion of coexisting with the contradictions and incoherencies that urban environments present. Each track on the EP offers a different facet of this exploration: from the restless introspection of “Insomnie” to the dreamy allure of “Rêverie” and the melancholic storytelling of “Un orage,” dehors invites listeners to delve into a world where emotions collide in a symphony of sound.
The Paris underground music scene serves as a vital backdrop for dehors, grounding them in a vibrant community of artists and musicians. Black metal acts like Limbes and Vaurien, along with shoegaze bands such as Midscale, Healees, and Sarita Idalia, contribute to the rich musical landscape of the city. However, rising rents and dwindling financial support threaten the survival of venues like L’International and Le Cirque Électrique, underscoring the fragility of the local music scene.
Despite the challenges that the Paris music scene faces, dehors remains committed to creating immersive and thought-provoking music that resonates with audiences on a profound level. Contrenuit stands as a testament to their dedication to pushing musical boundaries and capturing the essence of urban life through a hazy, introspective lens. In a city where creativity flourishes amidst adversity, dehors continues to carve out a unique space for their distinct brand of musical storytelling.