Warhaus

It’s become a pattern by now. Every time the Belgian powerhouse Balthazar disappears from the scene for a while, the solo projects step forward. That of frontman and songwriter Maarten Devoldere was first. Warhaus thrives on atmosphere and romance and bears traces of Benjamin Biolay, Nick Cave, Leonard Cohen and Serge Gainsbourg. It’s as much poetry as pop music and as much jet black as feather-light. The landmark song is 'Love's a Stranger' (2017), a duet with then girlfriend and group member Sylvie Kreusch, which has since racked them up 35 million streams on Spotify. ‘Karaoke Moon’ (2024), number 4, is being presented as the most layered Warhaus album to date. Devoldere wrote 50 songs in two years. Producer Jasper Maekelberg was duly blown away. While Maarten claimed he could do better. And now we have the proof.