After captivating audiences with their alternative pop sound and high-energy performances, Faux Real have finally dropped their highly anticipated debut album ‘Faux Ever’. The fraternal duo, consisting of Elliot and Virgile Arndt, continue to blur the lines between authenticity and pastiche, mixing harmonies, humor, and existential musings. Recorded across several cities, from Paris to Los Angeles, the album is a dynamic blend of polished pop and their signature DIY energy.

We caught up with Faux Real to discuss their evolution, the influences behind the album, and what fans can expect next.

‘Faux Ever‘ is out now on all platforms via City Slang.

With the debut album finally arriving, how do you feel Faux Real has evolved since your first EP in 2020? What’s changed in your sound or approach along the way?

We believe we really honed in on faux realism, musically. Our experience with relentlessly performing the songs live was a major influence on what went on in the studio. To make it brief : less instruments, more scales, less notes, more intention, more attention, closer to the center, further from – yet closer to – the Truth.

Faux Ever was recorded across several cities like Paris, New York, London and Los Angeles. How did these different locations impact the sound and feel of the album?

We were mostly busy playing concerts and growing into Faux Real, which included a lot of traveling, a lot of moving our homebase. So this transience is just a part of the record, more so than any specific city – although we have deep ties to all these places.

Your music often plays with the idea of what’s “real” and what’s “faux.” How do you approach that balance when crafting both your songs, visuals and live shows?

We like to keep ourselves guessing, to flip things upside down just when it starts feeling comfortable. This is how we approach all aspects of our creative life as Faux Real. There is beauty and things to take from the fake and the real. And just because something isn’t “real” doesn’t necessarily mean it isn’t true, or that it doesn’t have depth and feeling. 

Which musical acts have influenced the sound and direction of Faux Ever? Were there any new inspirations that emerged during the recording process?

We allowed ourselves total freedom in our sources of inspiration – nothing is off-limit. We have wide-ranging taste in music, and try as best we can to make something that feels new, fresh, and exciting to us. It’s always hard to pinpoint what we took, stole and borrowed from our favorite artists.

Who would you love to collaborate with in the future, and why?

One or all of Gigi D’Agostino’s many personae, because each of them scratch a different Faux Real itch.

What can fans expect next from Faux Real? Any upcoming tours or projects on the horizon?

We are touring through the UK and Europe with our friends and labelmates Los Bitchos until the end of 2024, and some headline touring in 2025. We’re excited to start working on the next record, but also to expand our horizons: performance art, video art, acting, comedy, tragedy, dancing, philosophy, poetry…