La Folie (National Album Day 2024) vinyl

The Stranglers La Folie was a pivotal album that showed their unique blend of punk and pop. The Stranglers have navigated their evolution through various lineup changes, most notably losing original vocalist Hugh Cornwell. While the initial wave of punk was marked by raw enthusiasm and amateur musicianship, the Stranglers stood apart as seasoned artists. Their foundational members brought professional skills to the table, with Jean-Jacques Burnel's classical guitar background and Jet Black's jazz drumming contrasting the typical punk aesthetic. With La Folie, the band pivoted into new territory, balancing their characteristic roughness with refined pop sensibilities. Each of the tracks is among their finest, featuring a range of themes centered around love. Highlights include the catchy 'Pin-Up' and the melancholic 'Golden Brown'. The title track encapsulates the album's essence, blending wit and introspection in a way that remains unparalleled in their discography. La Folie is a shinning example to the Stranglers' originality complete with the spirit of punk in an unexpected and compelling form.