Pegase is the solo project of former Minitel Rose frontman Raphael d’Hervez, whose elegant track “Without Reasons” helped to cement my love for the Valerie Collective long before they got the Gosling bump. D’Hervez’s bio describes his music best: “The secret power of Pegase is one which transforms muses into constellations. The keys of his machines pulverize the stars where we don’t expect it, at the crossroads of purity and eroticism.” Like that lovely bit of verbiage, Pegase’s music is pretty, wistful and, above all, French.

Pegase recently released a new version of “Without Reasons” as part of his six-track debut EP of the same name. Comparing the final cut with the demo offers a fascinating glimpse into the Nantes native’s songwriting process; d’Hervez transforms what started out as a stripped-down piece of French Touch electro into an Arcade Fire style anthem, complete with a lilting dream pop arrangement and Charlie Brown-esque choral vocals. Listen to “Without Reasons” below and then grab the EP, out now on FVTVR Records.

STREAM: Pegase – “Without Reasons”