Childhood best friends Clément Savoye and Adrien Rozé, who form the Parisian indie pop duo Kids Return, are gradually making an impact in the music industry. Brimming with excitement, they smile widely as they engage in their first-ever UK interview with CLASH via video call from their studio in the French capital. Their chemistry is instantly noticeable; they seamlessly exchange ideas and frequently complete each other’s sentences, showcasing their strong friendship and collaborative spirit.
The duo radiates contagious energy, with their enthusiasm clearly evident. It’s no surprise; the year 2025 is set to be their biggest yet, highlighted by a highly anticipated album release in the spring. The pinnacle of their plans? In June, Kids Return will fulfill their lifelong aspiration by headlining the iconic Olympia in Paris—a significant milestone for French artists and a clear indication of their rising prominence.
Earlier in the day, the band released their first single of the year, a dreamy love song entitled ‘All Yours Now,’ under their independent label Forever Melodies, named after their debut LP from 2022. Savoye shares with CLASH, “This song holds great importance for Adrien and me as it was one of the first tracks we created while working on the new album.” Rozé elaborates, “It’s a song about love, capturing the moment you first fall in love with someone when that feeling is incredibly strong in your heart.”
Regarding their music creation process, the duo prefers to escape the busy city life and retreat to a studio in Lescun, a secluded village in the Pyrenees. Rozé reflects on this choice: “We were crafting the verse for ‘All Yours Now’ in Paris with just the guitar, initially aiming for a sixties sound, similar to The Turtles’ ‘Happy Together.’ However, when we arrived at the mountain studio, where we often compose and record, we reconsidered.”
He continues, “As we contemplated the verse, it started to sound a bit clichéd, so we aimed to innovate and bring more of our essence to it. We wanted that late nineties, spacey vibe. While adding bass, we looked out the window and were completely surrounded by mountains. I remember singing the chorus, and it felt perfect with that breathtaking view.”
Towards the song’s conclusion, listeners are treated to a melancholic, auto-tuned vocal line reminiscent of a style once popularized by another famous French duo. Interestingly, Kids Return has been meeting regularly with Thomas Bangalter from Daft Punk, who has mentored them, offering valuable advice both musically and professionally. This relationship blossomed through Thomas’ son, Tara-Jay Bangalter, a close friend of Savoye and Rozé, who has directed several Kids Return music videos.
“Tara-Jay is our best friend. He’s created numerous videos for us and has traveled a lot with us on tour,” Savoye explains. “We met Thomas like you would meet any friend’s father. He’s incredibly cool and provided us with meaningful advice during our recording sessions. We have dinner together every three months to discuss music. He’s become a friend of ours; his influence is significant in France and resonates with many worldwide.”
He recalls the most impactful advice he received from the legendary disco artist: “He advised us to remain authentic and pursue what we truly want, ignoring external opinions about our music. It can be challenging when others suggest we should create a song in a certain way. Ultimately, only Adrien and I know what resonates best for us and how to shape a song to reflect our vision.”
While music is their primary focus, Savoye and Rozé also share a deep love for cinema. Interestingly, the inspiration for their band’s name came during lockdown when they watched Takeshi Kitano’s 1996 film, Kids Return. Last year, they crafted the soundtrack for the French indie movie Eternal Playground (La Récréation de Juillet), co-written and directed by Adrien’s brother, Joseph Rozé, and band friend Pablo Cotten, with cinematography by Tara-Jay Bangalter.
Reflecting on this experience, Savoye shares: “It was incredible. This was our first soundtrack, and we have always dreamed of composing music for film.” He adds, detailing how this experience differed from their usual recording process: “We began working on it after receiving the script and finished it post-filming. The directors had specific ideas for the music, which made it different from our usual recording when anything is possible. With a movie and script, you must align with its direction. It was a fantastic experience, and I hope this soundtrack is just the beginning for us!”
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Childhood friends Clément Savoye and Adrien Rozé, who are recognized as the Parisian indie pop duo Kids Return, are gradually gaining attention in the music scene.