Elle Vit Ailleurs by Johny Fostier: A Little Slice of Belgian Pop Magic
Let’s get real for a second—when I first hit play on Elle Vit Ailleurs, I wasn’t expecting much. Just another pop album from Belgium? Cool, sure, but would it stick? Turns out, this little gem had other plans. Johny Fostier didn’t just write these songs; he poured his soul into them, and you can feel it. The album's only got two tracks, but man, they pack a punch.
The title track, “Elle Vit Ailleurs,” is the kind of song that sneaks up on you. At first, it feels like your typical melancholic pop tune—soft vocals, gentle melodies—but then something happens. Maybe it’s the way Fostier sings "ailleurs" (which means elsewhere, btw), like he’s not just singing about someone living somewhere else but about longing itself. It’s raw, relatable, and kinda heartbreaking if you let it sink in. You know those moments when you’re staring out a rainy window and everything feels heavy? Yeah, this song fits perfectly there.
Then there’s the instrumental version. Now, usually, I skip instrumentals because, well, where’s the fun without lyrics? But this one… wow. Without words, the melody becomes even more haunting. It’s like Fostier took all the emotion from the original track and turned it into pure sound. Listening to it feels like walking through an empty house late at night—the vibe is eerie yet comforting. Weird combo, right? But somehow, it works.
What strikes me most about this album is how personal it feels. It’s not trying to be flashy or trendy—it’s just honest. And honestly? That’s rare these days. Plus, knowing that Fostier wrote both tracks himself makes it even cooler. Like, this dude didn’t need a big team or fancy gimmicks. He trusted his own voice, literally and figuratively.
Here’s the thing though: while I was writing this review, I kept thinking about how short the album is. Two tracks? That’s it? Part of me wishes there was more—a whole lot more. But maybe that’s the point. Sometimes less is more, y’know? It leaves you wanting, imagining what could’ve been said but wasn’t.
So yeah, Elle Vit Ailleurs might not change your life, but it’ll definitely make you pause for a moment. And honestly, isn’t that what good music should do? Makes you stop scrolling, close your eyes, and just… feel. Oh, and fun fact: after listening to this album three times in a row, I started craving waffles. Coincidence? Probably. But still. Waffles are awesome.
