La Rivière Atlantique

La Rivière Atlantique was released in 2016 through Pan European Recording, marking a distinct collaboration between the French actress and singer Arielle Dombasle and the late Nicolas Ker, the frontman of the rock band Poni Hoax. The album emerged from a creative partnership that sought to blend Dombasle's theatrical, chanson-influenced vocal style with the dark, atmospheric, and often melancholic post-punk sensibilities characteristic of Ker's songwriting. Recorded in Paris, the project was conceived as a journey through nocturnal soundscapes, pulling inspiration from American rock traditions and French literary tropes.

The album's design and production were centered on creating a cinematic, moody aesthetic that balanced Dombasle’s ethereal persona with Ker’s gritty, gravelly presence. Critics noted the record for its deliberate contrast, framing the duo as a modern, idiosyncratic iteration of the classic gothic romantic partnership. Upon its release, the work was received as an experimental departure for both artists, earning attention for its evocative, sprawling compositions that prioritized a consistent, dreamlike mood over conventional pop radio structures.