Tako Tsubo

Overview
Tako Tsubo is the second studio album by L’Impératrice, released March 26, 2021 on microqlima. Critics praised its brighter, globe-trotting disco-pop aesthetic, and it would later be issued in Dolby Atmos for high-fidelity streams. The record solidified the band’s international profile as a key French nu-disco act. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/L%27Imp%C3%A9ratrice))

Recording History
- Studios: Most tracking was done at Studios Ferber in Paris, with at least one track (“Peur des filles”) recorded at Studios Soyuz in Paris. ([musicbrainz.org](https://musicbrainz.org/medium/d3099af9-204d-496d-84a8-7baae09c92f6))
- Personnel: Thomas Moulin served as recording engineer on the majority of tracks; Clément Roussel is credited on “Peur des filles.” Mixing was handled by Neal Pogue. Producers included Charles de Boisseguin and Renaud Letang, with occasional co-producers such as Hagni Gwon or Achille Trocellier on certain cuts. ([musicbrainz.org](https://musicbrainz.org/medium/d3099af9-204d-496d-84a8-7baae09c92f6))
- Dates & approach: The album was recorded in 2020–2021, with the group’s approach described as direct/live tracking (“en prise directe”) guided by Letang, then mixed by Pogue. ([fr.wikipedia.org](https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/L%27Imp%C3%A9ratrice_%28groupe%29))
- Extended edition: An expanded Tako Tsubo edition (19 tracks on the main disc, plus remixes) was released in 2021. ([qobuz.com](https://www.qobuz.com/us-en/album/tako-tsubo-limperatrice/hnc1kzwrqksob))

Chart Performance & Recognition
- Charting: Tako Tsubo appeared on France’s physical-albums charts in 2021, reflecting mainstream visibility in its home market. ([snepmusique.com](https://snepmusique.com/pdf/tops_pdf.php?annee=2021&categorie=Top+Albums+Physiques&semaine=35&utm_source=openai))
- Certifications & awards: The single “Peur des filles” earned export-gold status, and the project received the Sacem Grand Prix du Répertoire for export. ([idol.io](https://idol.io/post-type-studies/international-coordination/?utm_source=openai))
- Critical reception: Press response highlighted the album’s infectious groove and ambitious scope; reviews praised its evolution from Matahari and its international sensibilities. ([thelineofbestfit.com](https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/reviews/albums/limperatrice-tako-tsubo-album-review?utm_source=openai))

Cultural Impact & Legacy
- Influence: Critics note Tako Tsubo as a watershed in solidifying L’Impératrice’s distinctive French disco identity on a broader stage. ([thelineofbestfit.com](https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/reviews/albums/limperatrice-tako-tsubo-album-review?utm_source=openai))
- Notable covers/samples: The album closes with a Michel Berger cover, Tant d’amour perdu, highlighting a direct nod to French chanson heritage. ([musicbrainz.org](https://musicbrainz.org/medium/d3099af9-204d-496d-84a8-7baae09c92f6))
- Today: The record remains a touchstone of early-2020s European disco-pop, frequently revisited in retrospective lists and reissues, and it helped propel the band onto stages like Coachella (2022). ([thelineofbestfit.com](https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/reviews/albums/limperatrice-tako-tsubo-album-review?utm_source=openai))
- Dolby Atmos: The release was later made available in Dolby Atmos for compatible systems, signaling its ongoing, forward-looking presentation. ([bullesdeculture.com](https://bullesdeculture.com/limperatrice-tako-tsubo-en-dolby-atmos-news-musique-album/?utm_source=openai))

Note: Core recording credits and studio locations are drawn from the official release credits and catalog entries, including MusicBrainz and Qobuz, which document the studio names, engineers, producers, and mixing credits. ([musicbrainz.org](https://musicbrainz.org/medium/d3099af9-204d-496d-84a8-7baae09c92f6))