What would you do if you were a French kid raised on a steady diet of 1980s American pop culture and sopa operas? Well, if you were David Grellier you’d start a synth based music project dedicated to the nostalgia you have for that time. Growing up with those touchstones and a healthy dose of the sound of French touch artists like Alan Braxe, Fred Falke, DJ Falcon and, of course, Daft Punk, Grellier had plenty to draw on for his College project. Most of us first got a dose of College on the Drive soundtrack. There his “A Real Hero” was used to great effect, breathing life into Nicolas Winding Refn’s desolate cinemascape. Secret Diary, which was originally released in 2008, is full of similar moments that will take listeners further into College’s dreamy vision of the past. There are occasional forays into indie based pop and low key ambient excursions, but the heart of the album feels like the best 80s TV soundtrack you’ve never heard. Limited edition pressing on cyan blue vinyl.

• music label: Invada 2013

reviewed by Joey Coco 07/2013