L'Impératrice revitalise the glittering French disco scene with “Matahari”

Bursting with glimmering electronics and topped off with a commanding brass section, the single cracks open to reveal an opulent pearl of dreamy synth pop and arpeggiator-infused nu disco.

With its title celebrating the lavish exoticisms of dancer and incendiary German 'spy' Mata Hari, the video recounts a flamboyant tale of lust, greed and tragedy. It’s wonderfully chaotic, the Labyrinth-esque visuals vibrating with pops of colour and hyperbolic 70s stylings.

Trading in his pen for Moog synthesisers, Charles de Boisseguin forged the L'Impératrice project after abandoning journalism to gain a more intimate understanding into the complexities of the industry. As the band grew, they anointed themselves “The Empress”.

“Albums that sold 500 copies in the 1970s are the records that interest us the most,” the band explains. These rare sonic findings have been sanded down and impeccably polished to match the genre-blending grooves of the 21st century.