There’s something about French punk that always seems to hit with its own kind of energy, and LUEUR, from Sélestat, France, are definitely bringing their share of it.
Formed in 2021 by members of the former PUNKY TUNES, this Selestadian quintet has quickly carved out their own space with a mix of fast, fun and energetic punk rock, heavily influenced by the skate punk scenes. Their latest release, Half of Humanity, is a 15-track blast that wastes very little time getting down to business.
The first thing that grabs you is the female lead vocal. It gives the songs a distinctive character without taking anything away from the raw punk rock energy. The performances are tight, the guitars move fast, and the whole record has that live, sweaty-room feeling that makes you want to turn the volume up instead of sitting around analyzing it.
But Half of Humanity isn’t just about speed. There’s plenty going on lyrically. Some songs look toward freedom, adventure and the mountains, while others dig into frustration, loneliness, insecurity and the absurd pressure of trying to fit into a world obsessed with perfection. One moment you’re climbing toward the sky and chasing something bigger than yourself; the next, you’re questioning everything around you.
The lyrics can be poetic and reflective, but the music keeps its fists up. Lines about climbing higher, flying and touching the infinite sit alongside more personal thoughts about having no money, no friends and feeling trapped by expectations. No complicated manifesto needed.
Fifteen tracks is a decent amount of material, but the record doesn’t feel like it’s dragging its feet. The skate punk influence is obvious in the speed and catchy drive. Everything is well executed without becoming overly polished or losing that DIY edge.
We received a physical CD copy of Half of Humanity, and the presentation is worth mentioning. The finished product looks and feels like a properly put-together release, with excellent overall quality. It’s always cool to see a band still putting effort into the physical format when so much music has become nothing more than a streaming link.
The album was released on June 18, 2026, with audio recording by Christophe Pulon, artwork by Arnaud Kakoo, cello by Sylvain, keyboards by JJR, and photos by Dom P. Mod. There’s also a guest appearance from Boring Kik of The Boring on “The Raised Fist.”
If you’re into punk that doesn’t need to overcomplicate things—just good songs, energy, attitude and something to say—LUEUR are definitely worth checking out.
LUEUR members:
Loie – Guitar /// Matthias – Drums /// Matthieu – Bass /// Laurent – Guitar /// Marie – Vocal
LUEUR social media:
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