With his album Mode, Patche distinguishes himself with his unique sound. Operating in an experimental playground that fuses dance, techno, and krautrock, Patche offers a rhythmic and frenetic avant-garde experience that seems to rapidly explore the backstreets of a hazy, mental megalopolis. The album progresses through repetitive motifs and subtle variations, relying on hypnosis rather than spectacular crescendos, which enhances its immersive nature.
Rightfully calling themselves “Montreal’s coolest geeks,” Eliott Durocher Bundock, Étienne Dupré, Lévy Bourbonnais, Mandela Coupal-Dalgeish, and JP Binard construct intriguing instrumental pieces using drum machines, acoustic drums, and bass guitar, occasionally embellished with electronic vocals. This combination creates a constant tension between mechanical precision and organic energy, giving the tracks an effectiveness that is equally suited to attentive listening and the dance floor.
Several members of the group are also part of Mon Doux Saigneur, Zouz, Duu, and LUMIÈRE, to name just a few. This collective experience is evident in the precision of the execution and the overall coherence of the album, which avoids the pitfall of gratuitous experimentation.
With Mode, Patche aimed to delve deeper into the electro nightlife scene, and I must say the material is absolutely solid. The tracks flow seamlessly, exploring different electronic textures without ever losing focus. For me, it’s one of the best albums of 2025. Mission accomplished.
