UK electronic indie musicians Mark Zowie and Paolo Di Liberto, best known as members of Novablood, are stepping into new territory with the launch of their side project, Elle Est Partie (pronounced “L.A. Party”). Their debut album, Poolside Views, arrives through Mint 400 Records in New Jersey and explores a wide spectrum of electronic music, blending breaks, dub, techno, French house, and melodic songcraft into a deeply personal collection of tracks.
While much of today’s electronic music can feel interchangeable, Poolside Views stands apart through its emphasis on strong songwriting, emotional depth, and carefully crafted melodies. The album balances driving rhythms and heavier textures with lyrical narratives, creating songs that are both immediate and immersive at a time when listeners are increasingly sorting through not only an overwhelming amount of music, but also the growing presence of AI-generated art.
Tracks such as “Dance Inwardly” and “Moonlight” draw inspiration from the pioneering sounds of Maurizio and Basic Channel, offering accessible deep-tech grooves with a rich atmospheric quality. “Moonlight” was written after an unforgettable evening at The Golden Lion, where legendary On-U Sound producer Adrian Sherwood delivered a powerful dub set that left a lasting impression on the duo.
Elsewhere, “Poolside Views” and “Night Walks” reveal a more intimate side of the project. Though rooted in personal experiences, both songs evolve into expansive pieces filled with breaks, strings, and pulsating rhythms. Emotional melodies and subtle nuances give the tracks a strong sense of movement and energy.
“There She Goes,” one of the album’s earliest compositions, became a defining moment for the project. Layered vocal harmonies gradually transformed the song into something uplifting and almost hymn-like. Rather than release it as a standalone single, the band chose to place it deeper within the album, allowing listeners to discover it as a hidden gem. The track is accompanied by a video directed by Dominic Barnes, who previously worked with Novablood on “Fake It” and “I Used To Live In A House.”
For Zowie, the project also reconnects with his roots in the early 2000s French house scene through his work with Lil’ Devious, whose music earned support from influential DJs including Norman Cook, Pete Tong, Danny Rampling, and DJ Sneak. With Poolside Views, Elle Est Partie channels those influences into a modern, emotionally rich electronic statement.
