Hailing from the Mâcon in the Burgundy region of France, ZATO first came to our attention midway through last year with their post-lockdown recorded live performance, which featured songs, Broken Faces and Quarterback.
Comprising of violinist/vocalist Celine Rigaux and guitarist/vocalist Alex Cordet, earlier this month ZATO released their new record, Broken Faces, via OSTO Records. Also featuring arrangements by Joe Vitterboo, who also provided the album’s artwork, Broken Faces marks the band’s first full-length release since 2015’s Black is the Light.
Broken Faces is a rolling wash of folk tailor-made for pitch black nights and sodden terrains. The title track and Quarterback lead the way, echoing early Low homage whilst feeding in the origins of indie rock. When indie was just that and not some term weaponised by some ivory tower marketing group.
Dripping with the emotion of last year’s live performance, on Broken Faces ZATO manage to capture that same intensity throughout these five songs.
Following the release of Broken Faces, it appears that it’s no rest for the wicked, as ZATO release their new song, Old Circus, which continues the band’s exploration across dark frontiers.
Also featuring new drummer Fred Masson, the video for Old Circus was created by filmmaker, Benjamin Chagneux. Exclusive to Sun 13, you can watch/listen to ZATO’s new track below.
Broken Faces is out now via OSTO Records. Purchase from Bandcamp.
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