Some artists create songs; others create moments, living, breathing soundscapes that feel like snapshots of culture, memory, and modern soul. Mirage de Son, one-third of the French trio The Late Timers, belongs firmly in the latter category. With the release of “SoulFul,” the collective once again proves that genre boundaries are only suggestions and that true musical chemistry thrives where backgrounds collide.
The Late Timers Greg_Beat, Julien Couvrechef, and Mirage de Son have long been known for crafting a rich blend of jazzy grooves, hip-hop textures, trip-hop atmospheres, and live instrumental finesse. Each member arrives with a distinct musical DNA: Mirage from the raw pulse of the '90s underground rave and techno movement; Greg from a world of hip-hop lyricism and social-media-fueled rap culture; and Julien from a classically trained, multifaceted musician’s path, shaped through bass, saxophone, and years of teaching at the prestigious Académie de Musique de Neuilly-sur-Seine. Together, they form a triangle of creativity that doesn’t just fuse style; they expand it.
“SoulFul,” featuring the charismatic and velvet-voiced Sofien Birki, is the trio’s brightest example yet. Sofien’s vocal presence, that warm, melodic, and effortlessly fu,nky invokes that Bruno Mars sparkle, but with a soulful French twist that makes it entirely his own. His tone lifts the track with a sense of joy, confidence, and emotional clarity that feels instantly magnetic.
The song tells the story of a man chasing fame, only to stumble into something far more valuable: unexpected love. It’s a narrative wrapped in rhythm, carried by Greg’s smooth, Snoop Dogg–esque flow and framed by ethereal harmonies from Manon D. and Mahera, whose voices add a shimmering, celestial quality. The dynamic interplay of vocals turns “SoulFul” into more than a track; it becomes a cinematic vignette. The single encapsulates The Late Timers’ signature identity: lush, rounded basslines, groovy trip-hop beats, funk-kissed guitar riffs, and a hybrid of acoustic richness and electronic edge.
It’s the emergence of what they call a “Good Mood Sound”, a sonic universe shaped by influences such as DJ Krush, St-Germain, Groove Armada, Wax Tailor, Massive Attack, and A Tribe Called Quest. Yet despite these roots, “SoulFul” feels unmistakably fresh modern expression built on warmth, groove, and personality. Mirage de Son’s presence in the production gives the track its atmospheric depth. His background in rave culture provides the subtle electronic undertones that elevate the Late Timers’ vintage-leaning palette into something timeless. Julien’s musicianship ties it all together, infusing the arrangement with a fluidity and musicality that can only come from years of experience. “SoulFul” isn’t just a release, it’s a statement. A declaration of artistry. A celebration of collaboration.
A testament to what happens when diverse musical worlds meld into one honest, feel-good moment. For Mirage de Son and The Late Timers, this track marks not only a new chapter but an expansion of their identity, proving that groove, heart, and craft remain the core of their sound, no matter where exploration leads. “SoulFul” is exactly what its title promises: soul, full.