Parisian producer Delabeat is no stranger to bending musical traditions into something entirely new. His latest release, “Alouette,” takes a well-worn French nursery rhyme and flips it into a hypnotic blend of urban, lo-fi jazz, and house music. The result? A track that feels like nostalgia took a wrong turn into a neon-lit alleyway and decided to stay awhile.
For those unfamiliar, the original Alouette is a French folk tune about plucking a lark (alouette in French). But Delabeat, ever the innovator, replaces the bird with something a little more… 21st century. In the music video, the feathered creature of old is swapped out for a DJI drone, a subtle but powerful commentary on how technology has seamlessly taken flight in our everyday lives. It’s a modern reworking of tradition, where the lark’s organic charm is substituted by an omnipresent mechanical eye in the sky.
Delabeat’s signature style—melancholic yet kinetic—is in full force here. The house-driven rhythm anchors the track, while lo-fi textures wash over the beat like a faded memory trying to resurface. It’s a conversation between past and present, where the warmth of analog tones meets electronic precision. If Kaytranada had a laid-back, introspective cousin who spent his time crate-digging for jazz records in Montmartre, Alouette would be the track playing in his headphones.
Delabeat’s fascination with genre fusion is evident throughout his discography, and Alouette serves as another example of his ability to transform the familiar into something fresh. He describes the song as an invitation to reflect on how technology has gradually replaced the visions of the past, and this theme is embedded within every layer of the track. Lo-fi synth pads pulse beneath crisp house beats, creating an interplay of organic and digital textures that mirror this shift in real time.
As an Italian-born artist based in Paris, Delabeat’s work is inherently global. He fluidly moves between French and English compositions, collaborating with an impressive lineup of international artists, including Pawel Orlow, Sakti, Dyla, Mife, and Sidney. His genre-blurring approach ensures that while his music is deeply tied to European electronic traditions, it also appeals to a broad, worldwide audience.
At its core, “Alouette” is a track about transformation—how something innocent and simple can evolve into something completely different in a modern context. It’s playful, introspective, and incredibly danceable all at once.
Your music blends urban, lo-fi jazz, and house in a way that feels effortless. How did your background—from Italy to Paris—influence your sound and artistic approach?
Growing up with a French father and an Italian mother, I was surrounded by the beautiful sounds of artists like Oxmo Puccino, Hocus Pocus, Neffa, DJ Ax, Gazzara, Frankie hi-nrg, and many others. However, the songs that truly ignited my love for the acid-jazz and urban genres are *Mr. Tout Le Monde* and *Place 54* by Hocus Pocus—they left a lasting mark on my musical identity.
You’ve collaborated with artists from different countries and styles. How do these collaborations shape your music, and is there an artist you dream of working with?
Collaborating with Hocus Pocus would be a dream come true. And then, there’s the ultimate legend—Kaytranada. Having one of my tracks remixed by him would feel like the perfect seal on a project fully realized.
“Alouette” is such a creative reimagining of a French nursery rhyme. What sparked the idea of transforming it into an urban house track, and what does the DJI drone symbolize to you?
*Alouette* is a part of my childhood—I used to sing it with my classmates during school days. The idea came from reflecting on how quickly everything is changing and how a symbol from the past can evolve into a modern icon. The DJI drone represents this transformation—it’s a symbol of how technology now touches every aspect of our lives.
There’s a strong theme of nostalgia meeting modernity in ‘Alouette.’ Do you see this concept playing a larger role in your future projects?
Absolutely. I love the idea that the past can live on in the future—and vice versa. I believe music is the thread that connects every era.
You’ve mentioned influences like Kaytranada and acid jazz—what was your sonic vision for ‘Alouette,’ and how did you balance classic elements with modern electronic textures?
Honestly, I just followed an inner impulse. I think music has this unique quality—it’s like mixing two colored liquids together. Acid jazz blends with house, merges with lo-fi, and intertwines with a traditional folk song. That’s how an old nursery rhyme from the past can become a fresh, new musical life force.