Gener8Ion Love & Tears

The French DJ/producer fuses together pop, dance, and futuristic visuals on his full-length debut. Love & Tears—the first full-length album from French DJ/producer and visual artist Surkin’s GENER8ION project—fuses strident synths, soaring pop, and emo bars for 11 genre-blending collaborative tracks. In part a cinematic experience—with futuristic visuals directed by longtime GENER8ION friend Romain Gavras and even an appearance by Charlize Theron—the music tackles the complexities of human connections and emotions, whether the protective vigilance of its title track with collaborator Yannis, the wistfulness of “Try” featuring Adèle Castillon, or the Yung Lean collabs “STORM I” and “STORM II”, which consider the struggle of youth. 070 Shake—who originally teamed with GENER8ION for 2021’s “Neo Surf,” also included here—joins for the otherworldly, almost spiritual opener “God Hates Space.” “You won’t go unnoticed/Not by my eyes/My love has no past/And it has no time/I won’t be nostalgic,” the rapper/singer cries. And on “Heart of Blue,” GENER8ION offers a boastful challenge to the universe: “Take my soul/Take my dreams/Take my clothes/Take my feelings/Take my time/Take my screams/Take my gains/Take my tears.” Even in vulnerability, there is triumphant beauty.