Menthüll
... is a Canadian duo that blends dark wave, cold wave and new wave influences to create a unique sound. Formed in 2020 by Gabriel and Yseult, the duo sings in both French and English, reflecting their origins from Gatineau (Hull), Quebec. They have released several singles and mini EPs, such as “Lune Noire”, “Froid” and “Nuit Blanche”. Their music is atmospheric, danceable and dark, earning them praise from fans and critics around the world. Menthüll is a rising star in the alternative music scene, bringing a fresh and modern touch to the genres they explore.
Menthüll surprises us with their latest release, “For the last time”, a dark and mysterious track that evokes the legendary sound of Joy Division. With its haunting vocals, pulsating bass and eerie synth, the song is a great piece of dark underground wave. Menthüll proves that they are not afraid to experiment and push the boundaries of their genre, creating a captivating and unforgettable song.
How did Menthüll come into existence and who are the creative minds behind it?
Gabriel Clémentier (music and vocals) and Yseult Demésanges (vocals). In 2019, a previous musical project was coming to an end and I kind of decided to make music that's really close to our musical roots. Let's start another band, only us two, and let's sing in French (our mother tongue ) to see how things go. So, very organically and on our own (mix and mastering, etc.) we launched Menthüll (a play on words - we are based in Hull) in late 2019.
Our second single release - Face au mur - released in April 2020, got some very nice attention. Since then, we have released 29 songs on Bandcamp and all platforms. Singles and mini EPs, mostly in French but also in English. We have one song (Pour un silence) on a Cold Transmission compilation in 2023 (Zeitgeist + Vol.2) and another one (For the last time :)) coming up on an At Sea compilation in early 2024.
What are the sources of your musical ideas and how do they affect your sound?
Everything starts with the 80's dark musical moods we love. We try to replicate moods and personal experiences. Everything is pretty heavy on beats at first and then musical and vocal melodies start building up. Lyrics would normally come very late in the process.
What was the reason behind writing the song, “For the last time”, which is a stunning mix of electro and new wave?
Thanks! We wanted this song to be pretty dark and mysterious. It became heavily inspired by Virgin Prunes, Danse Society, Test Department, Moev, etc. And Joy Division is never too far... For the last time talks about preparing for the last rain that we will ever have.
What is the most difficult part of making a new song and what do you do when you get stuck?
Losing the essence of the initial idea and pulsion. Adding and mixing too many layers of sounds and ideas over. So, often, a good original idea would become two different songs.
Which three songs from your repertoire would you recommend to our readers who want to explore Menthüll?
1- Face au mur 2- Hull Sombre 3- Madeleine
Do you have any upcoming live gigs and where can we watch you perform?
No gigs for now.
2023 is almost over. What are your plans for 2024?
Work on a live set to play in Hull, Ottawa and perhaps Montréal. Release wise, we have a mini EP in French coming up and the At Sea compilation.
