Faux Real’s music embodies both sides of their oxymoronic name. Indeed, Elliott and Virgile Arndt, the French-American brothers who make up Faux Real, craft music that is equal parts sugar-pop confection and warm-bodied blood.
After more than four years of releasing standout singles and EPs that kept fans wanting more, the duo has finally released their debut, full length album, Faux Ever. On the 11-track project, the duo explore the expanse of their own philosophy, which they call “Faux Realism.” It’s a theory that is ever-existential and which often veers into the meta, like on album closer, “Scratch,” which probes the question of what something being made from “scratch” truly means; or on “Faux Maux,” a play on the term FOMO, which finds the duo unpacking the space between desire and stasis.
Whether it's existentialism or the toils of the biz, the brothers always know how to deliver a big message via a sweet infectious hook. On standout track, “Workhouse”, they explore the realities of “hustle culture,” singing, “Hang that dream up to dry/Get those streams up or die.” It’s a tough message, but one that's delivered with irony and play. And even as the song is a reflection on their “Sisyphean” creative and professional struggle, the duo tells PAPER that the response from fans to their debut album has made all the hard work worth it. “Faux Realism more alive than ever before,” they share.
PAPER caught up with the musical duo to chat about their debut album, the grind of making it in music, and their philosophical ethos.
After more than four years of releasing standout singles and EPs that kept fans wanting more, the duo has finally released their debut, full length album, Faux Ever. On the 11-track project, the duo explore the expanse of their own philosophy, which they call “Faux Realism.” It’s a theory that is ever-existential and which often veers into the meta, like on album closer, “Scratch,” which probes the question of what something being made from “scratch” truly means; or on “Faux Maux,” a play on the term FOMO, which finds the duo unpacking the space between desire and stasis.
Whether it's existentialism or the toils of the biz, the brothers always know how to deliver a big message via a sweet infectious hook. On standout track, “Workhouse”, they explore the realities of “hustle culture,” singing, “Hang that dream up to dry/Get those streams up or die.” It’s a tough message, but one that's delivered with irony and play. And even as the song is a reflection on their “Sisyphean” creative and professional struggle, the duo tells PAPER that the response from fans to their debut album has made all the hard work worth it. “Faux Realism more alive than ever before,” they share.
PAPER caught up with the musical duo to chat about their debut album, the grind of making it in music, and their philosophical ethos.
Faux Ever was released earlier this month — how has the fan reaction been? How does it feel to have it out in the world?
The fact that there has been a reaction at all has been really cool to see. Bad or good, we love a reaction. Same goes for the live shows. All in all we’re very proud of this body of work and are so excited to be able to move on from it. As a debut album, it’s inevitably a sort of “Greatest Hits So Far” album, but it’s also a real reflection of what Faux Real is now. But the best part about having this music out in the world is that people are connecting to it in ways we could never have imagined, and making Faux Realism more alive than ever before.
If you could choose one track to encapsulate the entire vibe of the album, what would it be?
It would have to be the closing track, “Scratch.” Musically, it does stand out slightly from the rest of the record, but thematically it also speaks to what Faux Ever is about: where does the “scratch” begin when making something (up)? How much is pre-made, pre-bought or pre-thought? And, most importantly, does it really matter? This is the type of questioning that keeps Faux Real moving forward.
The album explores heartbreak, home and labor – why were those themes so important for you to cover?
It’s not so much about labor as it is hustle culture or “the grind,” AKA the realities of being a working artist in 2024. Songs like “Workhorse” depict a modern day Sisyphus crumbling under the weight of an infinite to-do list. But Faux Ever is mostly a picture of the last four years of our lives, as we moved around, trying to lay down the roots of this project, and trying to bring this initial body of work to a satisfactory place. As a result, the album is also about making the album, and about our trajectory as Faux Real.
What’s been the most challenging part of working on your debut?
Having enough perspective and distance to see it as a record took a while. Learning the chops to make it sound the way we wanted. And obviously there were the more menial things, like affording a work space, juggling other jobs to keep the project afloat, moving houses and countries - essentially not being able to focus on it as much as we’d have liked to. Even if pausing for thought is beneficial, it can be disruptive.
What was the most rewarding/thrilling part of working on your debut?
Seeing hidden leitmotifs emerge from the woodwork, themes we hadn’t necessarily considered or planned when writing the songs initially. Feeling it come together at the end, when we did a last round of additional production & vocal work. Hearing Geoff Swan’s mixes, making all our minute details jump out at us with a fresh and pointed perspective. Finding the album name and the accompanying hand gesture. And mostly, seeing the reaction from everyone who’s been patiently waiting for this record to drop.
How do you hope fans feel when they hear Faux Real?
Locked in.Photography: Faux Real
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