On June 27, 2025, Fan Club Orchestra, led by Laurent Baudoux, unveiled a remastered reissue of their 2013 cult favorite An Insane Portrait via Sonig, their creative hub since the late ’90s. After a bold 2024 comeback with a fresh lineup and a new record on 12th Isle, the Brussels experimental outfit revisits this understated masterpiece. Born in the DIY heart of Brussels’ art scene, FCO has long been a haven for spontaneous, genre-defying sounds, from warped electronics to hypnotic drones, with past collaborators like Mike Kelley amplifying their unpredictable edge. This release, available in limited cassette and digital formats, includes a never-before-heard bonus track.
Originally composed in 2009 for Fabrizio Terranova’s documentary on Josée Andrei—a blind artist, tarot reader, and scholar—the album finds Baudoux and bassist Ann Appermans crafting understated, melodic instrumentals. The tracks lean into a hushed, almost ethereal vibe, yet retain the group’s knack for subtle disruption, reflecting the introspective tone of the San Francisco-shot film. It’s a departure from their typically intense sound, but no less adventurous.
An Insane Portrait bridges Fan Club Orchestra’s past and present, channeling the experimental pulse of krautrock and early electronic pioneers like Kraftwerk. The reissue highlights their skill in merging minimalism with improvisation, offering a fresh lens on a pivotal moment in their catalog. It’s a compelling invitation to dive into FCO’s world, where boundaries blur and creativity thrives.
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