Le Concorde - Corpus Christi

Le Concorde

Corpus Christi
self-released; 2025

By Dan Weston

Le Concorde, the long-dormant project of singer-songwriter Stephen Becker, resurfaces with Second Mansions, their first album in 15 years, heralded by the shimmering lead single "Corpus Christi." Becker draws from a well of 1980s sophisti-pop—Prefab Sprout, The Blue Nile, Aztec Camera, and Scritti Politti among them—but rather than treating these influences as relics to be dusted off, he channels their spirit with conviction.  

From the opening seconds, "Corpus Christi" arrives fully formed, its polished sheen and tight rhythm section a clear nod to the meticulous studio craft of its inspirations. The bassline—rubbery, propulsive, and undeniably funky—anchors the track, cutting through layers of glossy synths and bright, chiming guitars. Despite the density of the arrangement, the mix remains surprisingly spacious, evoking the layered yet breathable soundscapes of So-era Peter Gabriel.  

Becker keeps the song in a constant state of motion, refusing to let it settle into a single groove for long. This restlessness could feel disjointed in lesser hands, but here, it lends the track a dynamic quality that reveals new contours with each listen. While the production leans hard into its retro fixations, "Corpus Christi" never feels like pastiche; rather than a throwback, it plays like an unearthed artifact from an alternate timeline—one where Becker was right there in the studio, mixing it down alongside his heroes.

leconcorde.org

Tweet