Contre Jour

In 2009, the band made a bold decision to shift direction, renaming themselves Contre Jour and embracing a colder, more electronic aesthetic. The new name marked the beginning of a fresh chapter, with the trio experimenting more with post-punk and cold wave sounds, laced with electronic elements. Their debut album, One Night at the Station, was self-released in late 2009 as a CD and digital edition via Bandcamp, reflecting this new approach.

In the spring of 2010, Emmanuel d'Auzon (guitar, backing vocals, keyboards) joined the band, adding a new layer of depth to their sound. By then, Manu was also involved with Press Gang Metropol (PGM), a post-punk project formed by ex-members of Corpus Delicti. PGM explored a unique blend of indie rock and post-punk influences. Though this was a side project, it would later prove to be a catalyst for a much-awaited return of Corpus Delicti, a revival that was not initially anticipated but ultimately reinvigorated the local scene.

Despite its modest production, Contre Jour's first videoclip "Vladilen" (released in late summer 2010) quickly garnered attention, thanks to its raw energy and emotional weight. This success led to a number of live performances, where the band refined their live show and further explored their sound. It wasn't long before One Night at the Station was officially re-released through Infrastition, ensuring the album's place in the French underground dark scene. More importantly, this release significantly strengthened the band's reputation abroad, particularly in Germany, Poland, Russia, and many other countries where they never could have imagined reaching an audience.

In 2011, the band embarked on their first European tour, performing in Berlin, Hamburg, and Dresden, further solidifying their growing presence. Around the same time, they also began releasing a series of self-produced music videos, starting with "A Step Forward" in the autumn of 2011, offering a glimpse into the sound of their second album, which was already in the works.

Throughout the first few months of 2012, Contre Jour continued to expand their audiovisual presence, releasing two new music videos, "Diseased" and "Old Age". However, just before summer, Greguy parted ways with the band due to personal reasons. His departure marked the end of an era, and the remaining members focused on finishing their second album, Passion and Fall, which had been in progress since late 2010.

On January 19th, 2013, Passion and Fall was officially released, once again with Infrastition. The album introduced a wider array of organic textures, blending sharp guitar work with dense synth layers, and it received praise for its emotional depth and sonic complexity. Over time, the band’s sound evolved beyond its initial cold wave and post-punk foundation, incorporating deeper influences from the shoegaze and trip-hop realms. Artists like Massive Attack, Fever Ray, and Björk began to leave a strong imprint on their sonic identity, while the lush, cinematic synth textures of M83 also played a crucial role in shaping their approach to synth-pop. This broader palette of influences became particularly evident in tracks like "Enfance," where the ethereal atmosphere and layered production reflected this expanded musical vision. The band continued their momentum with two more videos, "85" and "Enfance", later that year.

On January 19th, 2014, the band released Abîme, exactly one year after the previous release, an EP featuring bonus tracks and unreleased compositions from the Passion and Fall period, embracing a stripped-down, darker sound. As a token of the band's appreciation, and to thank the fans for their loyalty and their support through the numerous pre-sales of the album Passion and Fall, which greatly helped the band financially, the EP Abîme was made available for free on Bandcamp. That same year, they recorded a black-and-white music video for their cover of Siouxsie And The Banshees' "Into the Light," a tribute to guitarist John McGeoch. The video was well received and resonated with post-punk fans, further cementing their place in the genre's legacy.

By early 2015, Contre Jour entered a long hiatus. This unexpected break was not premeditated but was instead due to personal reasons, leading the band to step away from the spotlight. What was initially thought to be a temporary pause ended up stretching into ten years of silence, a period during which the members of Contre Jour focused on their personal lives and pursued other musical endeavors :

Later in 2015, Christof and Roxane crafted a transitional work under the simple name Nü. In February 2016, they released Modern Slavery on Bandcamp. The album's introspective and contemplative tone reflects their personal and artistic journey, is a poignant testament to the spirit of Contre Jour and tells us a lot more than words can say... On this album, Manu made a brief appearance on the eponymous song "Modern Slavery". The record offered a glimpse into the emotional complexity experienced during this year of quiet reflection, acting as a bridge between past endeavors and future possibilities.

The time away allowed for introspection and growth, even if it came from a place of personal turmoil and challenges that were quietly navigated behind the scenes.

In 2018, Lune Rouge, an electronic side project, emerged. Initiated by Roxane and Christof, Lune Rouge explored ambient, synthwave, and trip-hop landscapes, drawing comparisons to acts like Portishead, Massive Attack, and Tangerine Dream. The duo also collaborated with their friend and fellow musician Laurent, further expanding their sonic horizons. This project became an important step in their personal and artistic exploration, allowing them to refine their craft and experiment freely within new musical territories.

In the meantime, Christof and Manu continued to explore other musical pursuits together, which eventually gave them the opportunity to get back on stage. Their collaboration led to a few live performances, a period of intense work that allowed them to regain and sharpen their skills both technically and musically. This phase, which could be seen as a rite of passage, ultimately paved the way for the return of Contre Jour—a renewal of their creative drive and a means of rediscovering the energy and precision they had in their youth.

Despite the prolonged silence, the idea of resurrecting Contre Jour was always lingering in the background. By 2023, the members began to seriously consider a return. The catalyst for this revival came with the reformation of Corpus Delicti, a band that had been dormant for many years but made its comeback in 2019. After a delay caused by the global pandemic, Corpus Delicti began performing again in 2022. Their return to the stage had a profound impact on the local music scene, reigniting the creative spark in Contre Jour and motivating them to rediscover their own voice. The members of Contre Jour attended many of Corpus Delicti's early reunion shows, feeling inspired by the renewed energy and enthusiasm surrounding them.

In 2025, Roxane, Christof, and Manu are finally ready to make their official return, proudly announcing with humor and enthusiasm: "we're not dead ". After a decade-long hiatus, they have started rehearsing again and are currently working on new compositions. Driven by the same passion and ambition that first fueled their journey, they are ready to continue their exploration of cold wave, post-punk, and electronic landscapes with a fresh perspective.