French psychedelic heavy trio SLIFT return with ‘Fantasia’, an album that marks a subtle but significant shift from the expansive science-fiction landscapes of Ilion. While cosmic themes have long been associated with the band, vocalist and guitarist Jean Fossat explains that the new record draws from a different source of inspiration.

“With Fantasia, the sci-fi influence took a bit of a back seat, making room for more magical realism,” he says, citing the works of Borges as a major influence. Rather than creating escapist fantasy worlds, the band uses alternate realities to explore contemporary subjects. “We wanted to tackle very contemporary themes, like xenophobia, but through the lens of an alternate reality, one where things that might seem magical or fantastical to us are simply part of everyday life.” The title itself embodies that approach. According to Jean, Fantasia is both a specific place and a broader concept. “Fantasia represents an alternate reality to our own, but one that also includes it.” Throughout the album, the name appears in different forms: a city, a coastal village, even a spaceship. Yet the playful nature of the word also conceals something darker. “The word itself has a playful, childlike feel to it, but not all fantasies are joyful, far from it. We were especially drawn to that paradox.”

For a band that has steadily evolved over the years, change itself has become part of its identity. “We’ve gone through several phases as we’ve grown, both as a band and as individuals,” Jean reflects. “I think evolution is something healthy for a band, and we have no interest in repeating ourselves.” Asked how he would describe SLIFT in 2026, he offers a characteristically humble but vivid answer: “We’re a guitar, bass and drums trio that, with the help of loud amps and various transistor-powered wonders like fuzz pedals, makes music that’s meant to speak to both the body and the soul.” That combination of physical impact and introspection runs through the band’s entire catalogue. Jean identifies heaviness and psychedelia as the two most essential elements of SLIFT‘s identity today. “The physical side of sound is a huge part of what we do, there’s something really cathartic about it.” At the same time, the trio remains deeply connected to contemplative music, viewing its records as “a kind of initiatory journey.”

Although ‘Fantasia’ has been described as a more focused album than ‘Ilion’, Jean actually sees it as one of the band’s boldest artistic statements. The songwriting process remained rooted in jamming, but the group became far more selective about what stayed in the final compositions. “We jam a lot together, and we love that process, but with Fantasia we wanted to tighten our focus and keep only what felt essential.” The goal was to strip away anything unnecessary. “We wanted to hear what we really sound like without any frills, the rawest, most stripped-down production possible, right down to the bone.” In Jean‘s eyes, that makes ‘Fantasia’ “our most radical record.”

The band pushed itself equally hard in the studio. “We really set out to fuse the sound of our three instruments into something as powerful as possible.” Rather than playing it safe, the trio deliberately ventured into unexplored territory. “We weren’t afraid to make extreme choices or venture into sonic territory we’d never explored before.” Jean also highlights the vocal performances as a particularly important aspect of the record. “I really tried to express things we’d never been able to convey in quite this way before.”

For all its intensity, however, the emotion Jean hopes listeners carry away from ‘Fantasia’ is remarkably simple: “Hope, and a strong sense of connection to the world.”

That emphasis on connection extends naturally to SLIFT‘s live performances. The French trio continues to view itself primarily as a stage band. “Everything happens live. We’re definitely a live band first and foremost.” Far from being fixed entities, the songs continue to evolve every night. “The songs have already evolved on stage compared to the album versions, they’re definitely more intense.” Jean even draws a comparison with jazz traditions: “The more you play them in front of an audience, the more they reveal new possibilities.”

Finnish audiences will have the opportunity to experience that firsthand when SLIFT performs at the inaugural edition of Ankea Festival in Tampere. While the band approaches every stage with the same mindset, Jean is enthusiastic about joining the event. “We’re really looking forward to playing at Ankea Festival. The lineup is incredible, and it’s an honor to be part of it. One of our favorite bands at the moment, Oranssi Pazuzu, is Finnish! We know Finland has a strong connection to psychedelic music, and that’s one of the things that really excites us about coming to play in Tampere. About the show, whatever happens, we’ll give it everything we’ve got”

The timing could hardly be more fitting, as the performance takes place on the very day ‘Fantasia’ is released. Jean admits the band is unlikely to organize any extravagant celebrations. “It’s going to be a special day for us, which will naturally make that show a little special as well! I’m not sure we’ll do anything out of the ordinary, though, we’re pretty shy people, and we focus on the music when we’re on stage. But it’s going to be a huge thrill for us to share that day with the Ankea crowd. We can’t wait!“

Perhaps the most revealing moment of the interview comes in Jean‘s answer to the final question. Asked what he hopes first-time audience members will remember after seeing SLIFT live, he does not mention volume, technicality or spectacle. Instead, he recalls those moments on stage when the band members exchange a smile because they know something special is happening.

“There’s something really special about achieving things as a group, about sharing those moments of collective creation,” he says. It is a feeling that extends far beyond music itself. “It’s a feeling that goes far beyond music and can apply to every part of life. I’d love for people to hold on to that and take it with them.”

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