The nation of France has developed a distinct and compelling take on oi, the chant-along street-punk style that was once considered a definitively British export. Bands such as Syndrome 81, Prisonnier Du Temps, Oi Boys, and Rancoeur have pioneered an echo-drenched sound that fuses traditional oi with elements of goth and post-punk. This French oi movement has created a dank, mysterious, and incredibly cool aesthetic that is now finding influence far beyond European borders, with bands like Quebec’s Béton Armé and Edmonton’s Home Front drawing from similar sonic wells.
While some have dubbed this phenomenon “cold oi”—tracing its lineage back to the pioneering French punk band Métal Urbain and their early use of drum machines—the current scene owes much to underground stalwarts like Rixe. With at least one member of Rixe contributing to the ranks of Squelette, the Paris-based group continues to refine this atmospheric, aggressive sound.
Squelette, whose name translates to “Skeleton,” has been a fixture of the scene for a decade. Following their well-received 2023 album Fin de Partie, the band has returned with a new EP titled Soir d’Orage (French for Stormy Evening). The record delivers a collection of punchy, high-energy tracks that maintain a sense of atmospheric tension, punctuated by surprising bursts of new wave melody. In a fascinating twist, the EP concludes with a haunted instrumental that defies traditional genre constraints. For those seeking a soundtrack for a gritty, late-night brawl in the catacombs, Soir d’Orage is an essential listen.
