Astels, an emerging duo that has captivated the French music scene, unveil their debut album, ‘The Meeting’. Following the success of their 2024 EP ‘Lost In A New Era’ (with nearly 8 million streams), Théo and Camille deliver a sincere and bold project at the crossroads of Electro-Pop, RnB, and House. This first album tells the story of their meeting – the starting point of Astels – and how they discovered each other both musically and personally. It also explores the many challenges they have faced in their young careers. This evolution has led them to define their artistic identity with greater confidence, exploring a wide range of genres.
“This first album tells the genesis of our project and how it allowed us to reconnect with a part of our artistic identity. Unlike our first EP, which reflected the inner chaos of our early days in the music industry, The Meeting is a succession of moments and emotions that shaped us. Each track represents a stage of this journey, the struggles we have faced together in our young career.” Astels.
From the very first track, “Winter Blues”, the tone is set: a blend of Pop, House, and Soul influences, driven by Funk harmonies and sharp Hip-Hop rhythms. “We wrote this track during the winter of 2023, a time when we first had to confront toxic figures in the music industry,” they explain. The album also tackles significant themes, such as “On My Knees”, a plea against climate inaction set to a UK
Garage/2-Step production, or “Black Stars”, one of the duo’s most personal songs, expressing the rejection and misunderstanding they faced from their close circle regarding their choice to pursue music. “We composed this track in 20 minutes on a winter night and recorded it in Camille’s grandmother’s closet, as a form of revenge against years of doubt,” they reveal. Between introspective ballads and danceable anthems, ‘The Meeting’ showcases impressive versatility: “Give Up On You” and “High” reimagine the codes of RnB and Jazz, while “Don’t You Think” introduces Rap for the first time in their discography, symbolizing determination and defiance in the face of obstacles. With “Walkin’ Proud”, the duo celebrates self-confidence and acceptance, marking a turning point in the album where identity struggles give way to personal fulfillment. Finally, “All Night Long”, a track designed for the clubs, pays tribute to their House inspirations and closes The Meeting on an euphoric and festive note.
“We wanted to showcase the broadest possible musical spectrum: from House with All Night Long, to RnB with This Is How It Is, and Pop on Appetizers. This project is a reflection of our respective musical influences, intertwined to create something unique.” – Astels
Formed in 2023, Astels – comprising Théo (multi-instrumentalist and producer) and Camille (singer) – quickly made a name for themselves as a must-watch duo in the French music scene. Initially discovered through their viral jam session videos, which accumulated tens of millions of views on social media, they solidified their rise with their debut EP Lost In A New Era, surpassing 8 million streams. The duo went on to sell out shows in Paris and London and performed at festivals such as Le Weekend des Curiosités and La Crème Festival. With ‘The Meeting’, Astels takes a new step forward, affirming a hybrid and immersive musical universe where Funk, Electro-Pop, RnB, and House blend with refreshing spontaneity.
Listen to ‘The Meeting’ here
Press release courtesy of Only Good Stuff
