Steel & Velvet’s 'People Just Float' is a Dreamlike Journey of Raw Emotion and Haunting Beauty
- STAFF
- 1 day ago
- 5 min read
By: Staff
Steel & Velvet’s “People Just Float” delivers an unforgettable EP full of captivating, stripped-down brilliance.
Steel & Velvet has delivered a true masterpiece with their cover EP, People Just Float, a breathtaking collection that transcends music and becomes a deeply emotional experience. The connection between their visuals and music is seamless, creating a narrative that feels like a chapter from a larger, captivating story. People Just Float showcases the evolution of Steel & Velvet as artists, proving that their music is not just for listening but for living.
The video for the cover of “Ring of Fire” picks up where Steel & Velvet’s previous release, “Orphan’s Lament,” left off, continuing a visual story that is both haunting and beautiful. The twist in “Orphan’s Lament,” where a chance encounter between strangers evolves into a love story, was thrilling, and the video for “Ring of Fire” amplifies this sense of emotional depth. The track’s gentle acoustic strumming and the haunting vocal delivery create an atmosphere that is both uplifting and introspective, blending folk-inspired tenderness with operatic grandeur. Every note carries weight and excitement, pulling the listener into its euphoric embrace.
Visually, People Just Float immerses us in a world where dreams, love, and fear collide, a reflection of the raw human experience. Steel & Velvet’s depiction of life on Earth conveys the complexities of human existence with stunning imagery and powerful symbolism. The video mirrors the intense emotions described in Cash’s lyrics, where love, much like fire, is both beautiful and destructive. With no words or captions, the video invites us to feel, not understand, the depth of the experience. It’s an emotionally charged journey that speaks directly to the heart.
A subtle but important motif runs through People Just Float, the recurring image of branches. Whether symbolizing protection, shelter, or survival, branches represent the ways humans cling to what’s most precious. Steel & Velvet uses this imagery to deepen the emotional resonance of each track, threading it throughout the visual experience. It’s a poetic metaphor that ties the EP together, highlighting the interconnectedness of love, loss, and survival.
The project’s exploration of loss is particularly moving. In “Man in the Long Black Coat,” Steel & Velvet’s interpretation of the song takes us on a raw, emotional journey as the character transitions from a lion-hearted protector to someone consumed by the deep sadness of loss. The lack of explanation for this loss makes the experience even more poignant; it’s a universal theme. The reason for loss doesn’t matter; how we cope with it does. This moment, more powerful than any award-winning film, left us in awe of Steel & Velvet’s ability to convey such deep emotion through music and visuals.
Next, Steel & Velvet’s rendition of the Meat Puppets’ “Lake of Fire” is another highlight, taking a well-known classic and reimagining it with intensity and flair. The track’s instrumentation pulses with folk-infused energy, while the vocal performance delivers the deep, ominous message. The raw power in the voice evokes a sense of urgency, reminding listeners of the consequences of their choices. It’s a striking example of the band’s ability to combine conviction, grace, and musical prowess.
Then there’s the stunning reimagining of “In Heaven,” a female-fronted vocal performance that will stop you in your tracks. The vocalist’s technical precision and emotional depth breathe new life into the song, making it a moment of pure artistry. Steel & Velvet’s ability to convey both grace and power in this track is a testament to the strength of their musical vision. It’s a performance that demands attention and leaves a lasting impression.
The final act of this visual and musical journey brings light and darkness together in a breathtaking contrast. The cover of this song from the soundtrack to the movie Eraserhead uses vocal contrasts to draw the listener into the deepest corners of the human psyche, inviting us to feel the weight of the message. This track is more than just a cover; it’s a masterclass in blending music and visuals to provoke deep emotional responses.
From start to finish, People Just Float is an immersive, unforgettable experience. Steel & Velvet’s ability to weave together music, film, and storytelling is truly revolutionary. If you appreciate the artistry of literature, cinema, and musical theater, this EP is a crowning achievement. In our decades of experience, we can confidently say that People Just Float is one of the most profound works we’ve encountered.
Bravo to Steel & Velvet and their team for delivering such a monumental creation. It’s clear that they are on the brink of something extraordinary, and fans everywhere will eagerly await what comes next.
"People Just Float" by Steel & Velvet is a stunning fusion of folk, rock, and raw emotion that will leave you mesmerized.
Steel & Velvet is a band that takes an unflinching yet delicate approach to their music, blending folk and rock in a way that feels timeless and authentic. Formed in 2021 by Johann Le Roux and Romuald Ballet-Baz, the band’s roots in classical training are apparent, but it’s their deep love for acoustic music that truly defines their sound. Along with fellow Breton Jean-Alain Larreur, who brings his blues-rock influence, Steel & Velvet has carved out a space for themselves in the folk-rock genre, offering minimalist, stripped-down performances that center around raw vocals and acoustic guitars. With a powerful connection to both the music and their audience, they’ve made it a point to perform in intimate venues where Johann Le Roux’s unamplified voice can shine, creating an organic and deeply personal experience for their listeners.
While much of their repertoire consists of covers from iconic North American artists, spanning the worlds of folk, rock, and grunge, Steel & Velvet also explores their own songwriting. Their debut single, "Poppy Field" (Song for the Armistice), released in 2022, marked the start of a promising foray into original compositions. Their 2023 EP Waiting for Some Warmth honored the legacy of Mark Lanegan, a figure whose affinity for simple, powerful music aligned with Steel & Velvet's philosophy: that a beautiful voice, an acoustic guitar, and subtle instrumentation can carry you into another world.
Now, with their new project People Just Float, Steel & Velvet has elevated their artistry even further. This release is a multi-layered work, combining a six-track EP with a short film directed by Loïc Moyou. The tracks, carefully selected and reimagined, form the soundtrack to a dreamlike western that follows the journey of Joshua, a reclusive man living in a cabin who discovers a frightened woman in the forest. True to their signature style, Steel & Velvet’s sound is minimal yet emotionally charged, showcasing a blend of acoustic renditions and reworked classics. Notably, Johann Le Roux’s daughter, Jade, lends her vocals to two tracks, adding a fresh dimension to the band’s already rich sound.
We’re so excited to have discovered Steel & Velvet and can’t wait to hear more from this incredibly talented group!