Being one of France's most credible pop talents and having gained huge success with his diamond-certified single Shining Light, Aime Simone has just released his third studio album, REV. This is his most ambitious and conceptually rich project to date, very different from everything he has done so far, and it combines the emotional and melodic depth of pop music with the intensity of trap and club beats. Giving strength and courage, this project turned into a concept album in which there is a story, almost like a film; it is the first chapter of a new stage in the artist's career.
“My first two albums were gentler, giving hope. But right now, it’s a time to fight,” Aime tells us in the interview you can read below, in which we talk about his latest release, which pushed him like never before, the vital moment he's experiencing, and how feeling like he didn’t fit in with what society expected him to be has given him a very intense sensitivity to injustice and intolerance. “I really believe in tolerance, conversations, and learning from each other, even if we don’t agree on everything, even if we come from different worlds. That is a beautiful thing about humanity.”
Aime, you released your highly anticipated new album, REV, a few weeks ago. How did you experience the release day, and what feedback have you received so far?
Yes, REV is here. We did three back-to-back release parties and a marathon. It was crazy. The first day a building went up in flames right in front of us. The electricity was limited because of that, so we had no lights; we performed the album live with our fans lighting us with their phones. It was magical. On the second night, we did a club night in Paris with Mechatok, Kamixlo, and other DJs… it felt like everything was coming together. The third night was so special — no cameras allowed. It was a pure moment, and we felt so close to everyone there. This album release will remain a powerful memory. From our fans to our friends, we got amazing feedback. Everyone says it’s their favourite album of ours, that it’s the most “us”. I think we pushed ourselves like never before; this album is our most artistically mature, and we are so happy that it’s out in the world now and so ready to bring it to you live.
How was the countdown to the release of your latest project? Do you get very nervous before unveiling new music? What feelings bloom in the previous days?
I don’t get nervous about that, no. I had a lot of things to do, so I was mostly in the action. I love this album, so I am just very satisfied with the work we did, and I’m ready to live in the REV universe and bring it to life more and more.
This is your third studio album and your most ambitious and conceptually rich project to date. How is it similar to and different from your previous albums?
It’s very different. This one is a concept album; there’s a story, almost like a film. I think that we had a lot to say, and we found it was possible to say more and go deeper through this medium of fiction. We could say things that we couldn’t as ourselves. I became this character, and I feel that I am transforming through it. There’s something almost scary about manifesting something like that, but I felt called to do it… like I couldn’t do anything else. Previous albums were more innocent and more introspective. This one is head-to-head with the world we live in today, a world full of crises and fear, a world that is changing so fast. It’s just what I needed to express and become. REV is an energy, a mindset. It gives strength and courage. My first two albums were gentler, giving hope. But right now, it's time to fight.
And how long have you been working on this project? Could you tell us more about the development process?
The first song was GORE MODE. We wrote it at the end of the tour, December 2023. The second song, THE RISE, came to me in a dream on Christmas. So, we started having these songs coming and started to feel what the message was that needed to be channelled. In March 2024 we started working every day, writing and producing in a constant flow until August. That’s when we started going into the mixing and mastering phase. We were completely done with the album in November 2024, so it was almost one year.
From BLACK + WHITE to EVIL FOR GOOD, eleven tracks make up REV. “It’s an allegory for everything, from the city I live in to the industry I’m part of to the relationships I’ve experienced. It’s a way to tell my story,” you said a few days ago in an interview when asked about your latest release. How would you define the stage of life you’re experiencing now?
I’m really starting to understand my place in the world. I have a strong calling, and when I stray from it, I suffer, truly. It’s like a punishment. I’m meant to do something very specific. In this stage of life, I am stronger than I’ve ever been, and I think that strength, which was built through surviving many difficult experiences, is now meant to serve those who need it, those who are still struggling. I am here to help them survive and find their own strength so that we can fight for a better future.
The album is a deep exploration of themes like duality and transformation. Do you feel much changed compared to when you began your musical career? What’s completely different and what’s remained the same?
When I began my career, I was very sensitive and fragile, and I was still in the process of healing. Today I am healed, and I have a different role to serve. The music is less an expression of painful emotions. Now it’s become more of a weapon and a shield, to give strength and protection. What has remained the same from the beginning is my process of making the music and our DIY approach. Sonja and I work together on every aspect, from the writing to the producing, mixing, and mastering. The music is untouched by anyone else; it is from our hands to you.
What’s the first memory that comes to mind when you think of your diamond-certified single, Shining Light, which racked up over sixty million streams?
Writing it in our living room in Berlin. It was such a simple song, written in a flow of songs that we finished quickly and released during the pandemic. It’s amazing that it ended up being a hit in France; it was so unexpected.
You’ve also mentioned that you’ve never felt like you fit in with what society expected you to be and that you’ve always gone against the rules because you had no other choice. How has this influenced your view of the world?
Definitely. I think that it gave me a very intense sensibility to injustice and intolerance. Growing up, and as an adult, we have so many rules and expectations that we must conform to in order to be accepted. But for many people, it is impossible to fit into that box. I think that everyone has something to offer the world that is unique and valuable, but sometimes their voices are suppressed, criticised, ignored, or punished because it doesn’t fit what society thinks is right. I really believe in tolerance, conversations, and learning from each other, even if we don’t agree on everything, even if we come from different worlds. That is a beautiful thing about humanity.
What message would you send to all those people who feel different but are afraid to chart their path and get out of the norm because of what others might say about them?
You don’t have time to waste. Life passes by so quickly, and it can end at any time. You can suffer your whole life trying to fit in, but what for? So that you can live a lie, accepted but playing a role that doesn’t make you feel alive?
And what would you like your audience to feel when they listen to your new album for the first time?
“What the fuck”.
You’ve announced your Olympia show for November 20th. What does this mean to you?
Bringing REV to the Olympia means that I have an opportunity to make a moment that will be legendary. Even if it’s just for me. It’s going to be the culmination of my whole artistic work and evolution. The live show is where REV comes to life, and performing it in Paris, where I was born and grew up, will be very powerful.
Every musical project has an important aesthetic component, essential for shaping each artist’s creative universe. How important are visuals and fashion in your musical project, and how do you merge all these artistic disciplines so they all work together?
Everything is equally important, from the music to visuals to fashion. It’s all part of the universe, the different facets that make it a reality. For me, it’s essential to have all those mediums of expression be cohesive and true to the story of the album. An album like this is something that exists in a parallel dimension, in our imaginations. But through the visuals and outfits, we can bring it into this dimension. We can become it.
Which artists have you been listening to the most in the last few weeks? Any discovery on your Spotify playlist?
I love the album Cold Visions from Bladee; I’ve been listening to it a lot. Also Sematary, especially the song Headlights. I recently discovered Rari Kari with the song dead_mall on YouTube.
And what can you tell us about your plans for the next few months?
Got a lot of work to do to prepare for the REV tour in the fall. It’s going to be another level. Always making more music. I want to put out a lot of songs this year and keep expanding the universe. I have some crazy features coming up too. 2025 GONE UP TAKING FLIGHT.
