Is Wax a good place to start with Indochine?

Yes, Wax is recommended as a starting point for new Indochine listeners. Ethereal synths blend with driving rock rhythms, creating a sound that dances between introspection and anthemic energy. By the time 'Wax' was released on November 4, 1996, Indochine had established themselves as prominent figures in the French rock and new wave scenes. This album followed their commercial peak with 'L'Secrets', showcasing a more mature sound while maintaining their signature flair for theatricality.

Wax works well if you're into steady, consistent energy levels, long, immersive listening sessions and dynamic emotional journeys.

How many songs are on Wax?

Wax has 13 tracks, running approximately 58 minutes.

Released 30 years ago

Wax

Indochine · 1996

58 min · 13 tracks · new wave

Ethereal synths blend with driving rock rhythms, creating a sound that dances between introspection and anthemic energy.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Unisexe Start here — Opening with infectious rhythms and a catchy chorus, this track sets the energetic tone for the entire album while addressing themes of identity and duality.
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Révolution — This song encapsulates the band's ability to fuse political commentary with engaging melodies, representing a call to action that resonates with their audience.
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Satellite — With its haunting melody and introspective lyrics, this track exemplifies the emotional depth present in 'Wax', balancing upbeat instrumentation with reflective themes.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

59 /100

Treeline

Higher than 57% of albums we've rated

The album blends energetic rock with introspective moments, showcasing strong craftsmanship and solid songwriting.

What we noticed

The first three tracks feature a consistent driving rock rhythm paired with ethereal synths, establishing a high-energy opening.
Several tracks incorporate layered vocal harmonies that create a rich texture, particularly in the choruses.
The album includes moments of tempo variation, such as the transition from the upbeat 'Révolution' to the more introspective 'Je n'embrasse pas'.
The last two tracks slow down significantly, providing a reflective conclusion to the album's energetic start.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 6/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 7/10

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

steady, consistent energy levels
long, immersive listening sessions
dynamic emotional journeys
thoughtful introspective moments

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Breakthrough — Established Indochine's status in the 90s with commercial success and hit singles.
Themes: French pop-rock evolution· social consciousness· fame and excess
Moods: Anthemic· Introspective
Career context: By the time 'Wax' was released on November 4, 1996, Indochine had established themselves as prominent figures in the French rock and new wave scenes. This album followed their commercial peak with 'L'Secrets', showcasing a more mature sound while maintaining their signature flair for theatricality.
Stylistic neighbors: Depeche Mode· The Cure· Duran Duran

Moments worth listening for

Where the writing does something specific.

Les Silences de Juliette

The narrative shifts from third-person observations to an intimate reflection on loss and longing midway through the song.

This shift deepens the emotional impact by inviting listeners into a personal space, contrasting earlier detached storytelling with vulnerability.