Les Breastfeeders, the Montreal rock outfit known for their high-energy shows and witty lyricism, have just dropped “On ne prête qu’aux riches,” a new single setting the stage for their forthcoming album, La ville engloutie, releasing Friday through Bonsound. This marks their first full-length release in 12 years, following 2011’s Dans la gueule des hours.
The single draws from a 19th-century police interrogation, with lyrics that explore themes of inequality, portraying a world where the wealthy thrive while the less fortunate rely on luck or cunning to survive. Musically, “On ne prête qu’aux riches” is steeped in the group’s signature garage-rock vibe, seasoned with a touch of Merseyside rhythm and blues. Singer and guitarist Luc Brien describes the song as an improvisational shift from his usual style: “That’s why it goes against my usual songwriting habits. The chorus descends instead of ascending! There’s even a frenzy where güiro, claves and bongos come together.”
Directed by Amanda Van der Siebes, the song’s video—filmed at Montreal’s Cardinal Tea Room—plays off the venue’s nostalgic aesthetic, merging the song’s gritty theme with the spot’s vintage decor. “The space is full of symbolically charged visual details,” Van der Siebes notes, “which I enjoyed adding depth to, resonating with the underlying themes.”
Watch below:
La ville engloutie sees Les Breastfeeders collaborating with producer Ryan Battistuzzi, a long-time ally who previously worked with the band on Les matins de grands soirs. The album also enlists mixing and mastering by industry heavyweights Mark Lawson and Richard Addison, respectively. Contributions from guest artists include Anna Frances Meyer’s backing vocals, and keyboards by Thomas Augustin and Étienne Barry, adding layers to the album’s eclectic sounds.
The band will officially launch La ville engloutie with a performance on November 23 at Montreal’s Fairmount Theatre as part of the Marathon series, kicking off a Quebec tour that extends into 2025.
Photos – Étienne Barry
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