Following the Paris-based band’s evolution from indie-leaning beginnings to a sharper noise/post-hardcore edge, Mia Vita Violenta’s debut LP A Matter of Perception (recorded, mixed by Valère Brisard and mastered by Camille Jamain) expands on themes and textures introduced on 2017’s Grey Seas, recorded, mixed and mastered by Camille Jamain. Arrived via Araki Records and Atypeek Music on May 16, 2025, it marks a new chapter for the band, with Alain Duguine (Manger les oiseaux) stepping in on drums after the departure of original member Corentin Sarkadi.
Formed in 2012, Mia Vita Violenta—currently consisting of Romain Saccoccio (guitar/vocals), Paul Deligny (guitar/vocals), Hugo Lefebvre (bass), and Alain Duguine (drums)—cut their teeth on 90s references like Blonde Redhead and Unwound, but here they stretch into a broader territory, playing on the friction between melancholy, violence, and disorientation.
The band describes the album as “the story of a mirage,” a fractured lens through which nothing appears stable. That unstable, restless energy defines both the record’s sonic shifts and lyrical themes. Below is their full track-by-track commentary.
Dysfunction
The opener sets the tone with saturated guitars and a frantic pace. “This first track, initially bright, gradually darkens,” the band notes. It captures “a desperate cry,” and dives into a dystopian malaise marked by a deep unease. The structure hints at something falling apart in real time.
Ecstatic Tension
Functioning as a tense bridge into the following track, “Ecstatic Tension” is layered with overlapping dissonance. “It sets a tense mood,” they explain, adding that it adds “texture and depth” to prime the listener for what’s coming next.
Forward Fall
Written early in the album’s process, this track tackles the suffocation of toxic relationships. “It explores toxic relationships, confinement, and the lingering malaise they create,” the band writes, diving into manipulation, guilt, and the illusion of permanence. Still, there’s a release: “Letting go is the key to freedom.”
Zodiacal Light
Here, the band leans into their ambient side. “Though our sound has evolved since Grey Seas, we still love crafting atmospheres and experimenting with instrumental passages,” they write. The late-night recording session brought a “sacred atmosphere” to the track, and its subtle post-rock leanings echo that stillness. It sets up the more turbulent moments ahead.
Breathe In
“Breathe In revisits mental health, focusing on anxiety and feeling trapped in a cage of your own making,” the band says. The themes circle back to the album’s title, revealing how perception can warp reality. The sound mirrors the lyrical content: “Musically, it’s dynamic and contrast-heavy, shifting sharply between calm and intense passages.” The band considers it their closest step toward a “prog” structure.
Fade Out
This is an intentional outro to the previous track. “It concludes the trilogy, much like Submerge on our EP Grey Seas.” The piece uses hypnotic repetitions and foggy layers, pushing further into the band’s taste for evolving arpeggios. “This extended version gives us more room than when played live,” they write, allowing the theme to dissolve slowly, unhurried and textured.
Detachment City
The closer offers a breath before collapsing into noise. “This final song—a favorite among band members—expresses feelings of breathlessness and oppression, like being caught in a crowd,” they explain. It captures the claustrophobia of modern urban life: “Cramped, fast-paced, noisy, and oppressive, where proximity paradoxically breeds isolation.”
