Dominique A : “À force de retenir l’électricité, j'ai décidé d'y revenir”

After a four-year hiatus following his 2022 release "Le Monde réel," Dominique A makes a significant stylistic return with his fifteenth album, "Spirales." Marking a renewed embrace of the electric guitar, this record stands out as a reflective and autobiographical work that reconnects the artist with his early sound and creative environment.

"Spirales" was crafted and mixed at the Garage Hermétique studio near Nantes, where Dominique A recorded his debut album, "La Fossette," in 1992. This choice symbolizes a full-circle moment in his career, contrasting with his previous work, which leaned towards seventies-inspired textures and restrained electric elements. The album’s title evokes the cyclical nature of his artistic journey, inspired by imagery of swirling clouds preceding a storm.

The musician explains that his recent albums involved a deliberate holding back of electric guitar, but a 2019 live collaboration with Mark Long of The Opposition reignited his interest in the instrument's energy. This led him to rebuild his band's sound around electric guitar riffs, despite his own modest technique. The guitars used were crafted by a local luthier, further emphasizing the album's regional roots, complemented by visual artwork and photography produced by close Nantes associates.

Lyrically, "Spirales" delves deeply into Dominique A's personal history and memories, signaling a shift from the outward-focused themes of eco-anxiety prevalent in "Le Monde réel." Several tracks recount his childhood and formative experiences, notably referencing his hometown of Provins. The single "Un jour j’ai disparu" reflects a poignant reunion with a long-lost friend who initially rejected the artist for leaving their shared city but later embraced the song inspired by their estrangement.

The album opens with "La Roue du Jardin Garnier," setting a tone of wandering and introspection that extends through songs like "La Rue des Flandres" and "La Brique orange," which capture moments of real-time reflection during tours. Dominique A’s songwriting here blends a sense of place with a broader meditation on time and memory.

One particularly revealing track, "Shining à 12 ans," confronts a childhood trauma linked to Stanley Kubrick’s film "The Shining," illustrating how the artist channels personal demons into his music. Conceived rapidly after a vivid inspiration, the song carries a punk-inflected intensity and was shared immediately with his collaborators, underlining the album's spontaneous yet deliberate creative process.

Beyond music, Dominique A has contemplated writing a book focused on overlooked figures in the music industry, although details about this project remain scarce. His engagement with current political and cultural issues is evident, notably through his public boycott of Bolloré-owned venues and outlets, reflecting a critical stance on media and artistic spaces in France.

Celebrating 35 years in music, Dominique A is also preparing a special reissue of his early work, "Disque sourd," slated for release on vinyl by Born Bad Records in 2027. This edition will include rare recordings from his early career, offering a comprehensive look at his artistic origins.

Following the October 2026 release of "Spirales," the artist is scheduled to tour across France, including a notable Paris performance at La Cigale in March 2027. In December, he will collaborate with Philippe Katerine on the theater project "Manque-moi moins" at Théâtre de la Ville, demonstrating his continued versatility and commitment to interdisciplinary artistic ventures.

Dominique A’s latest work represents a deliberate reconnection with his foundational sound and local community, framed by introspection and a nuanced engagement with contemporary themes. "Spirales" not only revisits past influences but also asserts the enduring relevance of personal narrative within the evolving landscape of French music.