Team Credits:
Photography by Lucie Hugary at Le Crime
Styling by Maria Vinagre
Makeup by Rika Bitton
Hair by Fanny Fraslin
Model: Leo De Saint Ceran @ Girl mgmt

Fashion Credits:
1) Shirt & vest by ICECREAM. Hat by BIMBA Y LOLA. Trousers by À LA CARTE PARIS. Sunglasses OAKLEY. Socks by UNIQLO. Sneakers by ASICS.
2&7) Shirt by JULIA HUER. Dress & collar by ETIENNE JEANSON. Sunglasses by OAKLEY.
3) Shirt & vest by ADIDAS Y-3. Trousers by JULIA HUER. Socks by UNIQLO. Sneakers by ASICS.
4) Dress by JULIA HUER. Blouse by ADIDAS Y-3. Bag by SIMOND. Sneakers by ASICS.
5) Sweater by ÉTUDES. Skirt by JULIA HUER. Balaciava by TINY COTTON. Bottles by HYDRO FLASK.
6) Top by JULIA HUER. Jacket & shorts by THE NORTH FACE.
8) Top & shorts by JULIA HUER. Vest by ICEBREAKER. Harness by SIMOND.
9&10) Dress by JULIA HUER. Vest by THE NORTH FACE. Hat by AIGLE. Socks by UNIQLO. Sneakers by THE NORTH FACE.

The world has been going through a transitional period, but for French ambient electro outfit The Blaze, consisting of cousin duo Guillaume and Jonathan Alric, it’s been business as usual. “Our lives remain the same,” they tell us. “We’re still doing the same thing, making music and videos, staying in our bubble as much as possible.”

The result of their work during the pandemic is now coming to fruition. 2023 marked the release of their second album, Jungle, featuring two singles – ‘Dreamer’ and ‘Eyes’ – which showcase slightly different sides of their musical identity. “These two singles represent different angles but come from the same creative process,” they say. “We choose our themes depending on what affects us, but we always evoke them in a very poetic way, never head-on.”

“In a way,” they continue, “‘Eyes’ talks about the lack of social connection people experienced because of the health crisis, while ‘Dreamer’ talks about migration and has much vaster emotions.” That’s how Jungle was developed; starting with emotion, they then made it more universal, always putting the human at the center.

They are reluctant to speak about any specific direction taken in the new album. “We’ve never set ourselves a goal to achieve,” they assert. “You could say that we’re always in transition, from one project to the next. The only motivation is to try to surprise ourselves, find new sounds, and get out of our comfort zone. There is no beginning or end. Just what we feel in the moment and trying to transcribe it artistically.”

The Blaze describes their creative process as intuitive. “You can spend hours exploring different styles and different sounds for no reason. Then at some point, the magic happens. It’s hard to explain, but the planets align, offering us something glaringly obvious. That’s when we know that we have a strong basic track. But we’ve never followed a particular path to get there, other than being patient and taking the time to try anything and everything.”

Behind the smooth surface of the music, their art is driven by social issues and, they stress, “something deeply human”. In addition to migration, which has already been mentioned above, they have also touched upon topics such as uprooting, grief, and social diversity. This is evident not only in their music videos but the feeling in their music and the way in which they approach their live shows. “We don’t put ourselves at the center of our work. Everything we do is turned towards the other. Like a humanist quest, devoid of any political stature.” In fact, something along those lines would probably be The Blaze’s manifesto.

The visual and sonic elements of The Blaze’s music go hand in hand. They describe it as “two idea bubbles which are constantly connected.” If you’re planning on catching The Blaze on their upcoming tour, you’re in for a treat. “The first thing we did for this album’s tour was to change the scenography,” they tell us. “That’s why we now have five independent screens on stage joined by suspension cables. We also wanted to make our live show more dance-oriented and deliver a much stronger energy. We came to this conclusion following our festival show experiences on our previous tour, and perhaps also the fact of having been cut off from the world for several months.”

The Blaze has previously named the video for ‘Pass This On’ by Swedish band The Knife as one of their favorites. In addition to Swedish culture, The Blaze also appreciates Swedish nature. “For the French, northern European countries like Sweden seem to us to be much bigger in terms of nature, with these huge lakes and forests as far as the eye can see. There’s the light too, not only are there the northern lights, but you have the longest golden hours in the world when you get closer to the solstices.” They mention that they are also fascinated by Swedish photography. “The film director Johan Renck’s work is amazing. His Chornobyl is an absolute masterpiece. The classic A Swedish Love Story by Roy Andersson is a must-see, too. And of course, you have your Swedish Roberto Benigni, the two-time winner of the Palme d’Or, Ruben Östlund.”

Guillaume and Jonathan are big cinéastes. “It’s always difficult to choose a particular film, but we often name The Tree of Life by Terrence Malik. Surely because he speaks in a very poetic, almost mystical way, about grief and the human condition. He also manipulates a very nostalgic emotion using flashbacks, placing one family’s story at the heart of the theme, whose points of view range from a baby being born to the Big Bang. From the use of the Steadicam to golden-hour lighting and the soundtrack, this film is full of elements and artistic choices that have inspired us a lot.”

Despite their fondness for photography and cinematic production, however, The Blaze are still struggling to get used to photo shoots. “To be honest, we’re not really into fashion that much,” they say. “We have a fairly simple style and have kept it the same for years. That said, we try to dress similarly on stage to be more visually coherent. So, when we arrive for a photo shoot – which isn’t something we do very often – the slightest detail seems so sophisticated, which was also the case with this shoot. We’re never very comfortable in front of a camera, but this time round, the photo shoot was very cool and there was a really good vibe with the team.”

The theme of this issue is ‘Transitive’, a term denoting a relation between a property and two elements. (As an example, in the sentence “The kids love rock’n’roll,” the verb love is transitive.) So, in artistic terms, it bears a resemblance to Impressionist painter Claude Monet’s stated intent: “The motif is something secondary; what I want to recreate is what lies between the motif and me.” Modern art is essentially transitive. The term ‘transitive’ also relates to transition – a step in the process before the end goal. In a sense, portraying an artist in an interview like this is an attempt to capture a transitive moment when a property (in this case the artist) is moving from element a (perhaps their past discography) to element b (their new album). This is certainly the case with The Blaze – always in transition, moving on to the next mystery.

Talents: The Blaze

Team Credits:
Photography by Matthieu Belbreuve
Styling by Victorie Seveno
Words by Jonathan Södergren
Photo assistant Kevin Ramon
Stylist assistant Pauline LeLong
Make-up & hair by Émilie Plume
Production by Amal Jefjef & Carole Congos & Agency

Fashion Credits:

1&2) Jonathan wears a leather shirt by Loewe and pants by Dickies. Guillaume wears jeans shirt by Loewe and jeans by Levis
3) Jonathan wears a Jacket and trousers by Arket. T-shirt by Dior Homme. Shoes by J. W. Weston.
Guillaume wears a jacket and T-shirt by Dior Men. Suit trousers by Cerruti 1881
4) Guillaume wears a suit jacket by Maison Margiela. Top and shoes by Dior Men. Trousers by Cerruti 1881. Jonathan wears a jumpsuit by Etudes Studio. Shoes by Asics
5) Guillaume wears jeans jacket and jeans by Kenzo. Shoes by Dior Men. Jonathan wears a T-shirt by Uniqlo. Jacket and trousers by J. Lindeberg. Shoes by J. W. Weston
6) Jonathan wears a leather shirt by Loewe and pants by Dickies. Guillaume wears jeans shirt by Loewe and jeans by Levis
7) Guillaume wears a shirt by Egon Lab. Jeans by Dickies. Jonathan wears a knit sweater by Paul Smith. Jeans By Levi’s
8) Guillaume wears a sweatshirt by Acne Studios. T-shirt by Dior Men. Jonathan wears a jacket by Acne Studios. T-shirt by Dior Men

“Falling or flying is how I’ve felt the past few years” says Jorja Smith, the English singer whose enchanting vocals have put a spell on the world of contemporary music since the 2016 release of the Project 11 EP.

‘Falling or flying’ describes not only the way Jorja Smith has felt lately. It is also the title of her upcoming second full-length album, following the internationally praised Lost & Found, a laid-back R&B record that hit the shelves in 2018. The title of the new album, Falling or Flying, due for release at the end of September 2023, seems to be derived from a great deal of self-contemplation on the part of the singer. “I can’t tell if I’m doing good or bad sometimes, if I’m okay or not. Also, if you know me, I don’t have an in-between either. Falling or flying sounds like growth to me, it’s just the next chapter.”

As this next chapter of the Jorja Smith story unfolds, it is rewarding to take a step back and ponder the changes that have occurred since her last release. Her sound has gone through a clear transition, audible primarily on the single ‘Little Things’. But what has happened to the person behind the heavenly voice in the five years that have passed?

“Well, the songs on Lost & Found were mostly from when I was 16 to 18 years old. Like, there are two I wrote at 20. This album, the songs are me now, at 25/26. So naturally I have matured and was becoming a woman in the process. My music right now is me stepping into womanhood. It’s the first time I’m really releasing a whole body of work which I am also living in.”

When Smith lists the artists that were the most influential to her way into music, the DNA of her own creations is somewhat explained: “Amy Winehouse, Damian Marley, Mos Def/Yasiin Bey – I had these on rotation at 15/16 when I used to come down to London in the school holidays. I saw Yasiin Bey at a concert a few years ago, which was magical.”

Through the years, Smith has worked with a number of our time’s most notable performers. Nigerian marvel Burna Boy, grime giant Stormzy, and dancehall dandy Drake, just to name a few. But, when asked about her dream collaboration, there is only one name Smith mentions: “Frank Ocean”.

Smith talks about music almost as something that found her rather than the other way around. Her relationship to the art form strikes you as perfectly natural, as nearly meant to be. The world may change drastically around you, but some things remain the very same. The love of music is, for Smith and surely for many others, one of those comforting constants. “Music has been in my life since I was born,” Smith explains. “My parents constantly played music in the house, in the car, I’d be listening to everything, even music that wasn’t played for me. Walking in the street and catching a snippet from someone’s open window or car door. I sang everything, too, everything I saw I’d just sing about it. I learned to play the keyboard at eight and that’s when I started to write songs at the keyboard and also play covers.”

What happens to such an apparent gift with time? “Not much has changed since then, apart from stopping playing the piano when I moved to London,” Smith assures us. “I’ve picked it back up now. Also, I work with producers rather than just myself. When I’m writing, making a song. I just sing and whatever comes out comes out and we go from there.”

Today, she’s back in her Midlands hometown of Walsall, and has her hands back on the keyboard as well. A lot has obviously happened since Lost & Found, both for Smith personally and for her as an artist. The awards and praise have been lavished on her, raising the question of how the subsequent expectations affect her.

“I wish I didn’t, but I began to care too much about what people thought and also be super affected by it. Since moving back home to Walsall, I’ve got a balance now and care less. Before I put music out and at the early stages I only really cared about what I thought. Ha ha.”

The weight of expectations created from years in the limelight at least hasn’t dimmed Jorja Smith’s musical curiosity. Where ‘Little Things’ might have been played at a 1980s Madchester rave as well as at a 2023 Glasto after-hours party, the latest single ‘GO GO GO’ serves up a pop chart immediacy within its go-getting, glittery energy. Smith is certainly no stranger to creative diversity: “I’m always experimenting, if I hear something I love, I’ll just sing to it.”

So, with this desire for experimentation in mind, in what way has the process of making Falling or Flying been different from the creation of Smith’s previous work? “I started from scratch with this one and made it with DameDame, who are my friends. I learned so much about myself in this process.”

To conclude the interview, we ask a question that is inherently difficult to answer: where will your music be 10 years from now? “Oh my God, I don’t like looking into the future too much. I just want it to be loved dearly and still played and discovered.”

The hope of being “still played and discovered” shows both Jorja Smith’s characteristic humility and her love for the music she makes. The act of discovery is essential for any great lover of music, and Smith epitomizes this. Whatever changes the world will have gone through when Falling or Flying turns ten, it is safe to say the importance of music and creative experimentation will most likely (and hopefully) remain.

Talent: Jorja Smith

Team Credits:

Photography by Nick Thompson
Styling by Jordan Kelsey
Words by Filip Lindström
Hair by Paula McCash
Makeup by Grace Sinnott
Produced by Alexandra Oley
Fashion Assistants Zoha Khan and Grace Thompson

Special Thanks to Ananya

Fashion Credits:

1) Top by Dilara Findikoglu. Earings by Ananya
2) Coat by Ferragamo. Vest by Magda Butrym. Briefs by Uniqlo. Boots by Nii Hai. Earrings and necklaces by Ananya
3) Coat by Magda Butrym
4) Jumpsuit by Nina Ricci. Bra and knickers by What Katie Did. Shoes by Magda Butrym. Earrings by Ananya
5) Jumper by Miu Miu. Knickers by Fruity Booty. Tights by FALKE. Earrings and bracelets by Ananya
6) Top by Dilara Findikoglu. Corset stylist’s own. Tights By FALKE. Earrings By Ananya
7) Jumper by Miu Miu. Tights By FALKE. Earrings and bracelets by Ananya
8) Cardigan by Miu Miu. Earrings and necklaces by Ananya. Stockings by What Katie Did
9) Coat by Magda Butrym. Bikini Top by Nii Hai. Shorts by Christiana Hadjipapa. Socks by Uniqlo. Boots by Leo Prantham
10) Dress by Cult Naked. Earrings by Ananya
11) Shirt and tie by Luis De Javier. Corset by Dilara Findikoglu. Shorts stylist’s own

Team credits:
Photography by Fredrik Wannerstedt
Styling by Gorjan Lauseger
Hair & grooming by Tony Lundstöm
Model: David Hermelin

Fashion credits:
1# Coat by Our Legacy, Over shirt by Uniqlo, Shirt by Adidas, Shorts by Hugo Boss, Socks by Falke, Shoes by Acne Studios
2 & 6# Shirt by Whyred, Necklace by Sofia Winberg
3# Blazer by Our Legacy, Shirt by Blankdays, Pants by Adnym
4 & 12# Shirt by Acne Studio, Short sleeve shirt by Hugo Boss
5# Coat by Our Legacy, Shirt by Hugo Boss, Pants by Acne Studios, Shoes by Our Legacy, Necklace by Byredo
7# Blazer by Acne Studios, Pants by Acne Studios, Shirt by Hugo Boss, Long sleve T-shirt by Peak Performance x Ben Gorham
8# Jacket by Self – Cinema, Pants by Adnym
9# Short sleeve shirt by Acne Studios, Long sleeve jumper by Peak Performance x Ben Gorham, Pants by Our Legacy
10# T-shirt by Self – Cinema, Knitted Vest by Our Legacy, Pants by Our Legacy, Shoes by Adidas
11# Blazer by Our Legacy, Shirt by Hope, T-shirt by Uniqlo

Team Credits:

Photographer Zohra Hamidi @zohra.hamidi
Stylist Elodie Deval @elodiedeval
Hairstylist Romain Durand @romaindurandhair
Make Up Artist Jawhara @jaw_mua
Photographer Assistant Joséphine Lefebvre @lefebvrejosephine
Models Ophélie Him & Tian at Mademoiselle Agency @mlleagency
Flowerist Instagram : @aubonheurdesdameslevallois
Flowerist Website : www.au-bonheur-des-dames.com

Fashion Credits:

#1 Left: Dress by Marianna Ladreyt, Earring & Ring by Diana Law, Right: Dress by Materiel Tbilsi, Earrings & Ring by Pittsbroc, Neckless by Bless.
#2 Jacket by Prululla, Corset by Cadolle, Knitted pants by Lou de Betoly Tights & Socks by Falke Shoes by Soloviere Hat by Anthony Peto , Jewels by Pittsbroc
#3 Top by Altuzarra, Jupe by Paul Smith, Shoes by Maya Lakis, Socks Falke, Hat Anthony Peto, Earrings & Bag by Diana Law, Cuff Bracelet by Forte Forte.
#4 Jacket by Leandro Cano, Tights by Falke, Shoes by UGG, Earrings by Pittsbroc
#5 Left: Corset by Cadolle, Pants by Essentiel Antwerp, Shoes by Sarenza Socks by Falke Earrings by Pittsbroc. Right: Tee-shirt by Uniqlo, Corset by Cadolle, Skirt by Untitled
#6 Top by Lou de Betoly, Pants by Versace on matchesfashion.com, Shoes by UGG, Socks by Falke
#7 Left: Dress by Marianna Ladreyt, Shoes by Rombaut, Socks by Falke, Earring & Ring by Diana Law, Right: Dress by Materiel Tbilisi, Shoes by Rombaut, Socks by Falke, Earrings & Ring by Pittsbroc, Necklaces by Bless.
#8 Top by Altuzaarra, Jupe by Paul Smith,Hat by Anthony Peto, Earring & Bag by Diana Law, Cuff bracelet by Forte Forte
#9 Jacket by Jiwon Yun, Corset by Cadolle, Short by American Vintage, Shoes by Tory Burch, Scarf by Blue Marble, White Socks by Falke, Lavender socks by Simone Wild, Earrings & Butterflies Pins by Pittsbroc.
#10 Top by Heattech Uniqglo, Jumper by Uniqlo, Skirt by Lou de Betoly, Shoes by Maya Lakis, Socks by Falke, Scrunchie by Masion Chou, Jewels by Pittsbroc.
#11 Jacket by Prululla, Corset by Cadolle, Knitted Pants by Lou de Betoly Earrings by Pittsbroc, Ring by Diana Law
#12 Rainscarf by Bless, Skirt by Stand Studio.
#13 Jacket by Jiwon Yun, Corset by Cadolle, Short by American Vintage, Shoes by Tory Burch, Scarf by Blue Marble, White Socks by Falke, Lavender socks by Simone Wild, Earrings & Butterflies Pins by Pittsbroc.

Team credits

Photography by Patrik Lindén
Styling by Sandra Ekenstam
Hair & Make up by Sherin Forsgren and Elva Ahlbin
Model Johanna Pettersson @ LeManagement

Fashion credits

#1 Hat by Casual Couture, coat by Raiine, vest by Emelie Janrell, dress by Maxjenny, earring by Langaeble
#2 Coat by Naim Josefi, belt by Zara, shirt by Raiine, shorts by Emelie Janrell, boots by Jennie-Ellen, aarrings & ring by Sara Robertsson
#3 Hat by Casual Couture, fake fur vest by Emelie Janrell, long shirt by Uniqlo, belt is vintage, trousers by Emilie Book, boots by Deichmann, earring by Sara Robertsson
#4 Shirt by F.A.S, trousers by Bitte Kai Rand, necklace by Lapponia, boots on hands by Deichmann
#5 Knit by Naim Josefi, blouse by Aéryne, skirt by K-ourage, trousers by Naim Josefi, flip-flops by Havaianas, earring by Langaeble
#6 Purple jacket and trousers by Emelie Janrell, leather shirt by Primeboots, trousers by Raiine, earring by Carlo Lan
#7 Hat by Casual Couture, coat by Raiine, vest by Emelie Janrell, dress by Maxjenny, boots by Jennie-Ellen, earring by Langaeble
#8 Green vest by Naim Josefi, trenchcoat by F.A.S, top by Aéryne, trousers by Uniqlo, shoes by Jennie-Ellen, earring by Sara Robertsson
#9 Jacket by Bitte Kai Rand, shoes by Jennie-Ellen and Deichmann earrings by Iameleni and Sara Robertsson ring by Iameleni
#10 Knitted scarf by K-ourage, jacket with furry arms by Ezratuba, blazer around waist by Dailyroutine, jacket around waist by Emilie Book Trousers by Emelie Janrell, earrings by Iameleni and Sara Robertsson, ring by Iameleni
#11 Black coat by Aéryne, top by Emilie Book, skirt by F.A.S, trousers by Studio Wms, ring by Iameleni, boots by Primeboot