Photo: Bastien Clochard

Franco-Swiss group La Tène have announced details of a new album. Entitled Melnetta/Tardive, it’s their sixth record and sees them enter a new phase as a six-piece. Originally formed as a trio by Alexis Degrenier, Cyril Bondi and d’incise, La Tène have grown over the years, with several musicians who previously joined them on stage now becoming permanent members. The current line-up features Bondi on drums and d’incise on harmonium and electronics, alongside Jérémie Sauvage on electric bass, Jacques Puech and Louis Jacques on cabrettes and bagpipes, and Guilhem Lacroux on ten-string electric guitar. Founding member Alexis Degrenier, who is no longer able to perform with the group due to health issues, has nonetheless remained involved in composing the new material. The upcoming album features two long pieces, ‘Melnetta’ and ‘Tardive’, and finds the sextet taking their hypnotic blend of traditional instrumentation, electronics and repetition into rockier territory. The latter, originally a piece from the group’s earlier trio days, is now given a new life through the expanded line-up.

Melnetta/Tardive will be released on November 27th through Les Disques Bongo Joe and Murailles Music, and ahead of it La Tène have unveiled the monumental, melancholic and enrapturing ‘Melnetta’. The track comes with a live video, recorded at New Trad Fest 2026, and you can watch it below.