Le Concorde, the brainchild of singer-songwriter Stephen Becker, returns with Corpus Christi, a dazzling synth-pop masterpiece that draws inspiration from the rich, sophisticated sounds of the 1980s. Released on February 28, 2025, the track is a lush, intricately arranged tribute to the concept of miracles, blending timeless melodies with contemporary production. It serves as the first taste of Second Mansions, Le Concorde’s first album in fifteen years, set to arrive this fall.
With influences spanning Prefab Sprout, The Blue Nile, Aztec Camera, and Scritti Politti, Corpus Christi shimmers with period synth textures, dreamy chord modulations, and evocative atmospherics. Produced by Scottish legend Calum Malcolm—known for his work with The Blue Nile and Prefab Sprout—the single is a meticulously crafted soundscape that pays homage to the golden era of sophistipop while remaining effortlessly modern.
Stephen Becker describes Corpus Christi as “jewelry for your ears,” highlighting its vibrant colors, precision, and unexpected flourishes. At its core, the song is a love letter to beauty, faith, and resilience, navigating the space between belief and skepticism. Doris Brendel’s soulful backing vocals add a layer of R&B warmth, while intricate guitar arrangements subtly nod to The Blue Nile’s Tinseltown in the Rain. Every note is designed to pull listeners into an ethereal sonic world where melody, harmony, and lyrical depth coexist seamlessly.
The track’s journey began with a dream team of musicians, each bringing their expertise and love for sophistipop to the table. Renowned keyboardist Roger Joseph Manning, Jr. (Jellyfish, Beck) infused the production with an array of vintage synths, capturing the essence of the era that inspired both him and Becker. Bassist Vinzenz Benjamin, known for his work with ABC and Paul Young, provided a rich, groove-laden foundation, while drummer Ash Soan—recording in a historic English windmill—crafted intricate percussive elements, including hand drums that lend the track an organic, soulful energy.
Manning, Jr. was quick to praise Becker’s musicality, stating, “As I got to know Stephen’s music—and I got to know it intimately, getting into its musicology and architecture—I found that his ear is incredible. It’s very advanced, and it shows that he spent a lot of time with this genre of music, which is also near and dear to my heart.” He continues, “Stephen wanted me to help him decorate it with keyboards. Well, I was a kid in a candy store! Along with jazz, sophistipop is the music that inspired me in high school. It was loaded with synthesizers and the keyboard technology of the late Seventies and early Eighties—bands like Tears for Fears, Peter Gabriel, Scritti Politti—very keyboard-driven, because people were having fun with the technology at the time.”
Initially conceived as a contribution to a film exploring Eucharistic miracles, Corpus Christi evolved into a deeply personal meditation on awe, faith, and the unexplained. While the song’s original purpose may have shifted, its emotional core remains intact, embodying the idea that some things defy explanation. As Becker eloquently states, “To the faithful, no proof is required; to the unbeliever, no proof is sufficient.” This sentiment is woven throughout the song, both in its lyrical depth and its sweeping, cinematic production.
Adding to the single’s rich conceptual landscape is the visual component, featuring artwork by the celebrated Roberlan Borges Paresqui. Known for his bold, psychedelic aesthetic, Paresqui’s design perfectly captures the mysticism and radiance of Corpus Christi, reinforcing the song’s themes of wonder and transcendence.
With Corpus Christi, Le Concorde reaffirms its status as one of the most intriguing modern torchbearers of sophistipop. The track’s intricate layers, emotionally charged lyrics, and pristine production transport listeners to a world where music serves as both a refuge and a revelation. As the first glimpse into Second Mansions, Corpus Christi sets a high bar for what’s to come, ensuring that Le Concorde’s long-awaited return will be nothing short of extraordinary.
