French indie band Astral Bakers’s song “I Don’t Remember” is a powerful introduction to the band; it blends gritty, shimmering tones with heartfelt lyrics that come out grudgingly. The song, which draws inspiration from grunge, indie, and Beach Boys-era rock ‘n’ roll, reveals a tapestry of poignant longing and piercing lead guitar lines by Nico Lockhart.
Zoé Hochberg’s double kick on drums and Theodora’s powerful bassline combine to provide a rhythmic foundation that almost sounds like hand claps in the background. In the middle of all of this, Sage leans into the microphone and sings with a sigh, her voice haunted by the central loss that remains at the heart of the song. Resonant with a sing-along quality, “I still see you every time” is the refrain that beckons listeners in. The track’s emotional landscape is further enhanced by the profound and devastating reality that lies beneath the catchy surface.
‘I Don’t Remember’ presents itself as a captivating sneak peek at Astral Bakers’ developing sonic abilities as the band gets ready to embark on a tour that will end with a headline performance at La Maroquinerie in Paris and the announcement of an upcoming debut album in early 2024.
Speaking of the track, the band said, “I Don’t Remember is a song that Ambroise (Sage) started writing many years ago. It resurfaced when we started writing new material. Suddenly, it all came very naturally, as if the song had been waiting for us to finish it. It was one of the first songs we ever recorded, and we’ve always kept it as a reference point for what our sound should be.”
