REVIEW: Computers Kill People – The Storyteller

A decade is a long time in music, but for Parisian stoner/power rock quartet COMPUTERS KILL PEOPLE, it has been a period of growth, experimentation, and consolidation. Ten years and two EPs after their debut Silence Means Security, the band returns with their sophomore LP, The Storyteller, a record that both honors their roots and explores uncharted territory. With the refined mixing of ÉTIENNE SARTHOU (KARRAS, FREITOT, EX-AQME) and the mastering expertise of MAGNUS LINDBERG (CULT OF LUNA), The Storyteller emerges as a polished, dynamic statement, proof that CKP has fully mastered their craft while embracing evolution.

From the first note of Sunset Kiss it is clear that CKP have expanded their sonic palette. The album flows effortlessly between the blues-infused heavy rock of Last Man Standing, the indie-grunge elegance of She Said, and the raw, punk-fueled energy of Good Guy With a Gun. Even their daring reinterpretation of RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS’ Give It Away integrates seamlessly into the record, demonstrating a band comfortable in dialogue with their influences while fully asserting their own voice. Tracks like Intermission provide necessary breathing space, while riff-driven statements such as A.N.G.R.Y showcase the quartet’s technical precision and punk spirit, all culminating in the cinematic desert blaze of TV Monsters, a grand finale that feels both epic and intimate.

The Storyteller reflects not only musical growth but also personal evolution. The band’s lineup has been half-renewed since their last album, and the experiences of the members over the past decade—parenthood, life’s joys and hardships—have imbued the music with a depth and urgency absent from earlier work. Rather than dampening the album’s energy, this maturity sharpens it, allowing the band to craft songs that are as emotionally resonant as they are musically potent. Guitarists LOÏC WIELS and YOME VENICE demonstrate a heightened interplay, weaving riffs in perfect symbiosis with KARIN GOUSSET’S taut basslines and ERWAN COLIN’S commanding drum work. The result is a rhythm section that is both solid and adventurous, capable of anchoring heavy grooves while supporting expansive melodic passages.

Vocally, the album embraces collaboration more than ever. LOÏC’S performance is technically refined, his assertive voice capable of navigating the album’s heavier moments with power and precision. Yome contributes low, saturated tones and ethereal passages, particularly on Sunset Kiss and A.N.G.R.Y, while KARIN brings a striking new dimension with her emotive performances on The End and Lockdown Blues, evoking shades of PJ HARVEY. The three voices converge in harmonized choruses that feel natural and cohesive, adding richness and variety that enhances each track.

Lyrically, CKP engage with themes that are both personal and political. The band views storytelling as a powerful tool for reflecting and shaping reality, a concept embedded in the album’s title. The lyrics tackle contemporary social issues, exploring global instability, inequality, and the erosion of rights, all while maintaining a sense of hope and musical uplift. LOÏC emphasizes that The Storyteller is about observation and reflection, a commentary on the systems we inhabit and the stories that shape them.The album also revisits two tracks from their 2018 EP Healing Bruises - Only The Dead and Sunset Kiss - giving them a refreshed treatment that demonstrates the band’s commitment to evolution without losing authenticity. This willingness to reimagine past work alongside new material reinforces the album’s narrative of growth, reflection, and creative ambition.

Ultimately, The Storyteller is a triumph of confidence, collaboration, and vision. CKP’s riffs are heavier, their melodies richer, and their songwriting more deliberate and conscious than ever. The album captures the moods and experiences of an entire band, blending technical skill, emotional depth, and lyrical intelligence into a coherent and compelling whole. With its bold experimentation, melodic richness, and refined musicianship, The Storyteller cements COMPUTERS KILL PEOPLE as a vital force in contemporary rock—one whose evolution is as exciting as its present achievement.

Score: 8/10

The Storyteller was released on 17th October via Kernel Panic Records.

Words: Mia Gailey

Photos: Pascal Cosse