Hailing from Geneva, Lone Assembly is a quartet that moves effortlessly between melancholic post-punk, darkwave and romantic synth-pop, exuding a rare confidence. Comprising Raphaël Bressler (vocals and keyboards), Glenn Le Meur (guitar), Jim Bodeman (bass) and Romain Segu (drums), the band crafts soundscapes that evoke the 1980s, yet with a modern, intense and cinematic production. Each track tells its own story, drawing the listener in from the first note to the final echo.

    Their debut EP, That Never Happened (2024), announced the band to the world, revealing their uncanny ability to turn introspection, nostalgia and pain into compelling music. Since then, singles such as Keep This Flame, The Pain Keeper, In The Open and My Life’s Solid have paved the way for their highly anticipated full-length debut, Knots & Chains (2026), where the band reaches its creative peak. Tracks like Seven Souls and All Around Me reveal a darker, more introspective side, with deep basslines and synthesizers that almost breathe, cementing the quartet’s unique sonic signature.

    Knots & Chains is an album of contrasts and layers: hymns of pain, alienation and sorrow, yet also of hope, strength and courage. Cloaked in a gothic aesthetic, the record explores control in all its forms — the control exerted by others, cultivated within ourselves, and imposed by the spaces we inhabit. Each song functions as a miniature cinematic experience, blending classic post-punk with modern synth-pop layers and lyrics that delve into loneliness, transformation and emotional unrest. In The Open exemplifies this evolution, revealing a melodic sensibility that never compromises the band’s dark identity.

    Critics and fans alike have praised Lone Assembly for the emotional intensity and cinematic atmosphere of their music. Each track resonates beyond the auditory, crafting sonic narratives that touch both mind and heart. Live, the band transforms this energy into a palpable experience: lights, shadows, synthesizers and guitars intertwine to create performances that are immersive and unforgettable, each show a full dive into the aesthetics and emotion of their music.

    In short, Lone Assembly delivers music that is emotionally charged, meticulously produced and powerfully immersive live, captivating both fans of 1980s sounds and new generations seeking contemporary post-punk, darkwave and synth-pop. With Knots & Chains, the band reaffirms their ability to turn pain and alienation into hope, strength and courage, cementing their place as one of the most fascinating and promising voices in the contemporary Swiss music scene. Without a doubt, we would love to see them perform live in Portugal soon, to experience firsthand the intensity and magnetism that only a band like Lone Assembly can convey.

Written by Sofia

Photographs by Margaux Fazio