More about: Phoenix11 underrated

The band Phoenix are essentially indie-icons at this point, with their two most recognisable hits Lisztomania and 1901, featured on every indie playlist known to man.

The French four-piece led by Thomas Mars have been making music together for over twenty-five years, and seven albums, the group have evolved from a simple indie band to one of the best pop bands you’ll hear. But outside maybe a song or two, most people don’t know the band, despite the bestselling albums, Grammy win and nominations, and headlining Coachella. They even have a fan in Lil Nas X.

So let's dive into the best of Phoenix you don't know, including underrated singles, deep-cuts and a track called 'Funky Squaredance', which you are absolutely not prepared for.

'Identical'

First up, 'Identical,' a track that features in the band's most recent project Alpha Zulu and the official soundtrack for the Sophia Coppola directed On the Rocks. Over a five-minute run-time, the track covers regret, familial problems, and much more. The song also features moodier production, which uses synths and drum machines to keep momentum, and Mars' melancholic vocals draw you in.

'Love Like a Sunset, Pt.1'

Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix is known for its big pop songs for the most part, but 'Love Like a Sunset, Pt.1' shows Phoenix in a different light. The track runs for about five minutes and slowly builds in scope and sound, leaving the listener in awe at the soundscape they have found themselves in. It also shows the band can do a bit of everything, they can create a catchy pop song with lots of hooks, but their talents are just as apparent in their instrumental work.

'Summer Days' 

This deep cut from their debut album ‘United’ is a laidback summer jam that laments on wasted days, and Mars’ lyricism is as on point as ever. Lyrics like “I’ve passed all summer days driving/I’m tired of holidays ruined/ no more takeaway’s, expired food/ I need a full day driving” point to wanting to get away from the city and take a holiday but also the things we wished we did before the end of our time away. Instrumentally it shifts from a laidback guitar and drum combo to strings by the end of the track. Perfect for driving during those long summer days.

'Funky Squaredance pt 1/2/3 (medley)' 

This track is mental, and it deserves to be heard. The shift instrumentally over the nine-minute run-time is glorious. It begins as a country-inspired track, almost like Johnny Cash has possessed the band (albeit with autotune) but then shifts into a funky breakdown that will have you busting moves all over the shop before closing the final few minutes with wailing guitars befitting a hair metal band. It's madness, but go with it - you won't be disappointed.

'Everything is Everything' 

This track from the band's second album is well worth your time. With its acoustic guitar jazz chords and its playful use of the triangle, it’s an extreme earworm after a couple of listens. While the track isn't complicated lyrically, Mars's style of ambiguous songwriting has more than enough heart to carry the song. While not their most accomplished effort, this track is supreme fun and deserves to be enjoyed.

'Lovelife'

In 2017 Phoenix released Ti Amo, an ode to a fictional version of Italy portrayed through sounds such as Italo-disco. The whole album has a sugary synth coating that is so sweet any dentist would warn you to stay away. 'Lovelife' is a perfect example of this, with its sharp but sweet synths and Mars’ tale of how his lover has changed his behaviour for the better. It’s perfect for those hot summer days ahead. 

'One Time Too Many'

While you may think of Phoenix as a band that only trades in big indie-pop music, you'd be mistaken. On 'One Time Too Many', Mars shares his sadness the end of a summer romance and laments how he doesn't want their time together to end, in lyrics like “slow down your tan I’m gonna miss you a lot.” Accompanied by the gentler simple progression of the guitars and drums, this track takes its time, and it’s all the better for it.

'Don’t' 

In 2013, Phoenix released Bankrupt! A record that had big chart success but mixed reviews. The album is an interesting change of pace from Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix, with more emphasis on synthesisers and interesting creative flourishes. ‘Don’t’ is a track that feels severely overlooked with its driving synths and drums - it barrels at you at 100mph and doesn’t let up. It’s fun, fast, and fluorescent - what more do you want?

'Season 2'

The recent album from the band ranks amongst their best, with so many creative flourishes and ear wormy hooks that keep you engaged. 'Season 2' feels like Phoenix is in a very playful, bouncy mood with Thomas Mars singing “Giddy up, I’m bored and torn” over an instrumental that burrows its way into your subconscious. 

'Courtesy Laughs' 

This deep cut has more than a hint of the Strokes to it, and it works in Phoenix’s favour. This track sees Mars lamenting on the end of a relationship, with a realisation that their relationship wasn’t very deep at all and actually disingenuous – “I hate that kind of wrong affection/I ain’t ready to talk at all/It’s all lies, misunderstandings/I’m alone in the main hall.”  This track takes the time it needs but remains fun with the production and Mars firing off witty lyrics.

'Oblique City' 

The album Bankrupt finishes with underrated gem 'Oblique City', which sees Thomas Mars essentially railing against capitalism in his elusive writing style. Mars sings,  “I wanted out of the biblical bets/Oblique City credentials/It’s everything I’ve ever known/ Coca Cola’s Rosetta Stone.” This is him essentially asking whether people’s dedication to these generic brands is healthy, and by the end of the song he asks if there is more to life than these things. The production is immaculate as ever, with the sugary production juxtaposing nicely with Mars lyrics.  

Listen to the selects:p

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More about: Phoenix11 underrated