AMONG TIDES • Bleubonheur • Tape

Shove Records

Among Tides puts Le Mans back on the French hardcore map, and that’s awesome. This power trio from Le Mans plays old-school style screamo straight out of the early 2000s — the golden age of screamo. A time that gave us the most poetic, abrasive, and emotionally piercing wave of punk-hardcore. Not necessarily optimistic about the future, but viscerally engaging. Listening to Marathon, the hairs stand on end, and love feels explosive. Among Tides is my current crush: on stage or behind the bar, the guys are approachable, humble, and passionate — the trifecta that makes you care and stick around.

The singer channels the late Jérôme from Amanda Woodward, delivering desperate emotions more than tearing them out. When the backing vocals enter, the screamo atmosphere intensifies. I’m less keen on the clean-voiced, sing-along moments à la Yarostan’s latest — tracks like “Déshumain” and “Vacuité et reflets” leave me a bit indifferent. Personal taste aside, the rhythmic pauses in screamo are increasingly unnecessary for me, but hey, that’s just me.

The drummer shines with fast, precise rhythms, occasional percussive flourishes, and thoughtful dynamics. His touch is measured when the tempo drifts into post-rock/post-hardcore territories, and more expressive when the hardcore kicks in. He knows how to ride his kit — a huge asset to the band, though the rest of the trio is no slouch either.

The lyrics are in French, full of the personal and social drama the style demands: stories of frustration, powerlessness, and disgust at the state of things. A standout line: “Second rôle d’une vie de série B (…) à se regarder danser, dans la paume des rois” — lives unsatisfied, missing the chance to live or be in a system that humiliates, breaks, and diminishes. Their writing embraces the French touch of screamo: Mihai Edrisch, Le Prés ou Je Suis Mort, Daitro… Among Tides has digested these references healthily without necessarily surpassing them — and that’s fine. They make the music they love, in the way they love it.

“Second Rôle” is the album’s standout, radiating undeniable screamo energy. The riffs bounce perfectly with the snare, creating thrilling rhythms. A strong, poignant track played by three sensitive and talented musicians. “Niagara” opens with an emo-flavored intro that’s a joy, blending post-rock (optional), screamo, and emo. Listening to Bleu Bonheur, smile below, tears above, you’re set.