Loin Du Ciel by Huy!: A Scrappy Indie Pop Gem That Punches Hard
Alright, let’s get this straight—Loin Du Ciel isn’t your polished, radio-friendly crap. This 1996 release from Belgian weirdos Huy! is raw, unapologetic, and dripping with attitude. Labelled under Third Finger Recordings, it’s a chaotic blend of rock grit and pop hooks that somehow works despite itself. And yeah, calling it “Indie Pop” feels like a stretch because this thing has teeth.
First off, the track Ce N’est Qu’un Jeu (Démonopolymix)? Holy hell, it sticks to you like gum on a hot summer sidewalk. It starts off all innocent-sounding, but then BAM—it slaps you in the face with its jagged beats and Huy!’s snarling vocals. The remix version they threw in here takes everything up a notch; it's messy as hell, but that’s what makes it unforgettable. You can tell these guys weren’t trying to play it safe—they were throwing darts blindfolded and hitting bullseyes anyway.
Then there’s Loin Du Ciel, the title track, which just hits different. It’s slower, moodier, almost like someone caught them taking a breather between brawls. But don’t mistake calm for weakness—the melody sneaks up on you, wrapping around your brain until you’re humming it hours later. There’s something haunting about how simple it is, yet so damn effective. Like, are they even trying at this point? Doesn’t matter—they nailed it.
The rest of the album keeps the energy alive with tracks like Comme Avant and the original mix of Ce N’est Qu’un Jeu. Sure, some parts feel rough around the edges, but that’s kinda the charm. It’s not perfect, but who cares? Perfection’s boring.
Here’s the kicker though—this record came out in ’96, back when everyone else was busy chasing Britpop glory or grunge leftovers. Meanwhile, Huy! was over here doing their own freaky thing in Belgium, completely unfazed by trends. That’s ballsy as hell, and honestly? We need more of that now. Music today could use a dose of this kind of reckless creativity.
So yeah, if you’re looking for something clean and predictable, skip this. But if you wanna hear an album that fights back, Loin Du Ciel will leave bruises. Just don’t blame me when you can’t stop listening to it. Weird flex, but I respect it.
