In Belgian singer Jacques Brel’s 1966 song “La Chason De Jacky,” he sings “Même si on m’appelle Antonio” or “My name would be Antonio.” Now, over 50 years later, indie rock artist Louise Aubrie is releasing an entire album inspired by the line.
“It’s a brilliant fantastical song about fame being fleeting, and imagining how life might be in the future: being washed up, reflecting on the glory days!!” said Aubrie in a press statement. “Marc Almond did a brilliant cover of it – one of my favourite songs – and I created a vision of who Antonio might be: an aging European lothario going round the clubs. A lot of the songs were inspired by that image – I don’t know anyone called Antonio in the real world!”
While the album doesn’t come out for a few days, Aubrie shares a glimpse of what to expect with two singles “Ours” and “Last.” The former is an upbeat, dizzying song about falling in love. “What have you done you to me tonight / my love / what have you done,” sings Aubrie as she sings about them “taking for hours and hours,” and finding it “too hard to resist.” The song makes me want to fall in love, fight the system, and dance all at once. The latter song is also enjoyable—but more fun and quirky. “Where is Antonio?” she sings in a song that sounds like high jinks are afoot.
Listen to both songs below, and pre-order Antonio, which arrives on October 15, here.
