Amour Toujours

Premier Album (originally released in 1980) is ZE Records' first digipack reissue of the early work of this undisputed European electro-pop nymphet. Born out of a Belgian comics writer's imagination, the character of Lio soon became known all over Europe as the alias of Belgo-Portuguese pop singer and actress/icon Wanda Maria de Vasconcelos, a smart and provocative18 year-old singer. Teamed-up with Belgian songwriters Jacques Duvall, Jay Alanski and Marc Moulin (from the electro-pioneer band Telex), their first single was "Le Banana Split," a light-hearted sugary pop tune co-written by Alanski and Duvall. The first hit was launched, soon to be followed by plenty of others which would all hurl Lio at the top of European charts. The second single, and probably the most successful in France, was the now classic "Amoureux Solitaires," a refreshingly naïve yet deeply emotional song. The text is signed by Eli Medeiros and the music is produced by Jacno (from the infamous French pop-rock duo Eli et Jacno), with an irresistible, catchy halting beat and a minimalist melody which will be engraved in your memory as soon as you hear it. This album is a pinnacle of the '80s golden era, yet a clear and distinct touch of contemporary atmosphere can be felt all over the record, along with an avant-gardism which is reminiscent of electro legends New Order, Yaz, Human League, and the like. Incorporating an interesting patchwork of typical French pop and dance-oriented songs (see the amazing break part of "Comix Discomix" or the twisted beat of "La Panthère Rose"), this debut effort also includes a languid and ambient cover of Gillespie and Coot's "You Go to My Head." Premier Album is an indispensable tablespoon of cherry-pop sugar for your '80s diet.