With Ultimate Pretenders, Memory Men take a clear step forward from their debut album Kingdom of Doubts. Released less than a year into the band’s journey, this six-track EP captures a group still finding its voice—but doing so with intention, curiosity, and emotional honesty.
Recorded in a home setting and self-produced, Ultimate Pretenders doesn’t try to hide its DIY origins. Instead, it leans into them. The production remains raw, but noticeably more controlled than on their earlier work, allowing the songs to breathe while leaving space for future refinement. There’s a sense that Memory Men are learning how to trust their instincts—less urgency to prove themselves, more focus on expression. , the EP explores self-awareness, doubt, and authenticity, themes that feel fitting given the band’s early stage. The writing avoids strict formulas, opting instead for direct, sometimes vulnerable reflections. This approach gives the songs a conversational quality, as if the listener is being let in on unfinished thoughts rather than polished conclusions. While not every line lands with equal weight, the sincerity behind the words is unmistakable.
Musically, Ultimate Pretenders balances restraint with ambition. The arrangements are simple but thoughtful, hinting at influences without fully committing to a single sound. At times, this restraint works in the EP’s favor, creating intimacy; at others, it suggests potential waiting to be unlocked—stronger dynamics, bolder structures, and sharper production choices could elevate future releases. Ultimately, Ultimate Pretenders feels like a transitional record—and that’s not a weakness. It documents a band actively shaping its identity, unafraid to be heard before everything is fully figured out. Memory Men may still have room to grow, but this EP proves they’re asking the right questions, and more importantly, they’re willing to listen to the answers.
With GIOMANÈ, his fifth studio album, Gianfranco GFN delivers a work that feels lived-in, expansive, and deeply musical. Developed over two years between Switzerland and Côte d’Ivoire, the album embodies a rare sense of organic warmth, embracing groove not as a stylistic choice but as a way of being. This is not a record chasing relevance — it’s one that arrives fully formed, confident in its own language. At the heart of GIOMANÈ is GIAZZ!, GFN’s personal fusion of groove, soul, acid-jazz, funk, pop, and blues. The sound is fluid and vibrant, driven entirely by live performances and real interaction between musicians. With 13 original tracks and the involvement of 15 players, the album breathes like a collective experience rather than a studio construction. There is no polish for its own sake, no digital gloss — just texture, rhythm, and human presence.
What stands out most is the album’s emotional clarity. Each track tells a story drawn from everyday life: love, movement, discovery, memory. The lyrics, written by GFN alongside his collaborators, avoid slogans or moral instruction. There is no political agenda, no overt message to decode — only a sincere invitation to listen, feel, and connect. That restraint gives the album its strength, allowing meaning to emerge naturally through sound and atmosphere. The groove remains central throughout the record, but GIOMANÈ never feels repetitive. Subtle shifts in rhythm, tone, and arrangement keep the journey engaging, reflecting the album’s geographic and cultural crossings. The influence of African rhythms blends seamlessly with European soul sensibility, reinforcing the album’s sense of openness and movement.
Released officially on November 28, 2024, with a live launch in Biel/Bienne, GFN’s hometown, the album feels particularly well-suited to the stage — a quality already evident in its recording. As GFN prepares to bring GIOMANÈ on tour with The Mystery Band, the album stands as both a destination and a departure point: a fully realized statement that promises even greater energy in a live setting. GIOMANÈ is a reminder of what happens when music is allowed to be human again — warm, imperfect, joyful, and deeply alive.