A second life in technicolor, Luna And The Gents bring vintage pop back to play
We found something endearingly courageous in a band that chooses joy without irony. While Luna and the Gents do not adopt vintage music as a gimmick or a clever move, on their EP *On Second Life (Part I)*, the Basel-based band takes on swing, jazz, rockabilly, and vintage pop with genuine warmth and affection. There is nothing forced on this record, and the end result is an EP that is at once light on its feet and well-crafted, with songs that smile without winking too hard.
The EP, which came out on the 23rd of January 2026, is a collection of the band's previously released singles, including the longer version of their chanson piece "Je Ne Peux Pas T'Oublier," which takes center stage and works as an emotional anchor to the record as well. Across the six tracks on the EP, the Basel-based band has managed to create a sound that is vintage without being trapped in the past, with grooves that dance and melodies that are clear and easy to follow, and arrangements that give the instruments room to breathe and express themselves without crowding the others. There is nothing here that feels overstayed or forced, and nothing feels cluttered or overproduced.
Frontwoman Luna, whose real name is Evelyne Pequignot, carries these songs with ease without ever slipping into melodrama or theatrics, and has a voice that is at once light and well-grounded, playful and never flimsy, and has the kind of phrasing and delivery that keeps the record from slipping into parody, no matter how bright and sunny the mood may get.
The EP kicks off strong and has a charming energy reminiscent of the first pop records after the war, intended to raise the spirits without losing the heart. The rhythms are swinging, the guitars shimmer instead of shout, and there are touches of country that are more felt than heard. It’s music to move to, and to listen to.
What sets *Second Life (Part I)* apart is the care that has gone into the visual representation. Each song has its own official video, and they tie together to create a cohesive narrative that expands on the stories hinted at in the music. The main video is *Doggy*, and it’s the one that best encapsulates the spirit of the EP. It has a playful, retro aesthetic that feels homemade instead of overstyled. It doesn’t compete with the music; it complements it, offering the listener another way into the world that the band has created.
It’s a bit reminiscent of artists who see music as a part of a broader world, not just a file on a streaming service. There’s a bit of Postmodern Jukebox in the love of old forms, though without the covers or novelty factor. There’s a bit of Caro Emerald in the opening tracks, or the more playful moments of French pop chanson updated to the modern era. Fans of films like *Amelie* or *The Artist* will see the same love of texture, color, and gentle humor.
A special mention must be made of Je Ne Peux Pas T Oublier, which, in its longer version, brings the pace down and focuses on the emotive content. When sung in French, there is a certain softness to the song that works well against the more upbeat tracks of the EP. It is a gentle arrangement that focuses on the melody and the voice, reminding us that beneath all the fun and the smiles, there is also a sense of longing.
Second Life (Part I) also benefits from the format. At six tracks, the record feels complete but not burdensome. It's like watching a short film instead of an entire series. You can revisit this record without much trouble. That it's available both online and in physical CD form is also important to the listener who still enjoys holding their music in their hands and reading the liner notes. They also enjoy listening to the record play straight through.
Luna and The Gents are a virtual band. They're making their music exclusively online. That said, the record itself feels very human and very tactile. You can imagine this record filling a small dance floor, playing in the background of a coffee shop during the late afternoon, or wafting through an open window on a warm evening. They're not trying to overpower the listener. They're trying to provide the listener with atmosphere and fun without talking down to the listener.
In the current world of music, which often seems to divide neatly along the lines of polished and rough, Second Life (Part I) finds its own way by relying on charm and craftsmanship. It's a reminder that pop music can be both fun and empty, and nostalgic and relevant. For the listener who wants to revisit the pop and rock of the past but with the ease and accessibility of the current day, Luna and The Gents have made something worth spending your time with.