Blues Corner is a Paris-based music project founded by Phil Roman and Seb Oroval, two friends connected by a shared passion for blues. After a successful career in England, Phil returned to France in 2021 to fully dedicate himself to the genre, forming the duo with Seb, a self-taught musician influenced by classic blues standards. Together, they create a sincere and powerful sound that blends Chicago’s electric energy with the warmth of Americana. Following their critically acclaimed debut album Lonely Mile and performances at major festivals, Blues Corner has established itself as a project where music reflects the human experience. Their work embodies friendship, collaboration, and a deep artistic bond, showcasing the emotional essence, survival, and shared spirit at the heart of blues music.
Blues Corner’s “All That We Are”, released on 20 February 2026, is a masterful double album that redefines the boundaries of contemporary blues. Paris-based duo Phil Roman and Seb Oroval deliver a sonic journey that honors the genre’s roots while embracing modern expression. The album blends Classic Blues inspired by the Mississippi Delta, Americana, Country Blues, and the dynamic energy of Blues Rock, creating a rich and diverse musical landscape. Produced under the guidance of Bruno Dandrimont at La Battamobile studio, the project features an elite rhythm section and collaborations with internationally acclaimed artists, giving the album both depth and global resonance.
“All That We Are” showcases Blues Corner’s commitment to preserving the legacy of the genre while pushing it forward. The production balances reverence for tradition with innovative arrangements and contemporary sonic clarity, resulting in a triple-dimensional listening experience. The album’s immersive scope weaves heartfelt musicianship, intricate instrumentation, and emotional intensity into a cohesive whole, highlighting the duo’s artistry and creative vision. This work positions blues not as a static form but as a living, evolving art that resonates across generations, offering both timeless authenticity and fresh vitality for devoted fans and new listeners alike.
All That We Are Album Track List:
Set Me Free:
“Set Me Free” opens the album with a powerful declaration of liberation, immediately immersing the listener in the theme of breaking free from constraints. The lyrics; “I wanna break these chains, wanna feel the wind …. Set me free”, convey a yearning for emotional, mental, or even spiritual release, which forms the heart of the track. Blues Corner pairs this with crisp, ascending guitar riffs and a brisk tempo that mirrors the sensation of taking flight. The minor-to-major melodic shifts in the guitar accentuate the tension and release embedded in the lyrics, creating a musical metaphor for breaking free. The vocals are assertive and expansive, emphasizing each declaration, with slight raspiness that adds authenticity and urgency. Behind this, the rhythm section maintains a driving, tight groove, punctuating the lyrics with percussive support that mimics footsteps gaining momentum as one steps into freedom. Subtle piano flourishes and harmonized backing lines add layers to the sonic liberation, making the listener feel the airiness described in the words. Overall, the song’s theme of emancipation dominates the track, while the instrumentation enhances the emotional arc from restraint to freedom, making it a striking album opener.
Stone in My Shoe:
The theme of persistent irritation and slow progress dominates “Stone in My Shoe,” as reflected in the lyrics: “I got the stone in my shoe .. it’s slowing me down.” This simple, vivid metaphor captures the universal feeling of a nagging obstacle that impedes forward movement, a classic blues narrative. Blues Corner crafts a steady, mid-tempo groove that mirrors the slow, cumbersome steps described in the lyrics. The bass and drums lock into a hypnotic rhythm, emphasizing the theme of persistence, while the guitar uses blues bends, slides, and minor inflections to sonically represent the discomfort of the “stone.” Vocals are delivered with measured weariness and subtle tension, perfectly embodying the frustration expressed in the lyrics. Phrasing often lingers slightly behind the beat, creating a sense of resistance and struggle. Occasional harmonic shifts highlight brief moments of relief before returning to the central tension, reflecting how small solutions or comforts appear but do not remove the problem entirely. By making the lyrics the driving force, supported by musical motifs that reflect both frustration and resilience, the track conveys the emotional experience of carrying unseen burdens, making the listener viscerally feel the weight of the metaphorical stone.
Blues Paradise:
“Blues Paradise” centers on the theme of finding emotional refuge and joy in the blues. While its lyrics are less widely quoted, the conceptual theme is evident: a space where the struggles of life coexist with musical and spiritual solace. The song’s instrumentation reinforces this, with warm electric guitars, rolling bass lines, and gently swinging drums creating a reflective, inviting soundscape. Vocal delivery carries an introspective yet hopeful tone, lifting minor inflections into melodic phrases that evoke comfort and nostalgia. The arrangement emphasizes call-and-response patterns between vocals and guitar, evoking communal connection and shared experience, key elements in traditional blues culture. Melodic and harmonic choices, including blue notes and seventh chords, give the track an authentic blues palette while the moderate tempo and smooth dynamics create a sense of emotional “paradise.” Here, the listener feel both reflective and uplifted, while instrumentation accentuates the lyrical journey. The track works as a contemplative midpoint on the album, showing Blues Corner’s mastery in melding traditional blues sensibilities with modern production clarity, inviting the audience into an emotional sanctuary through music.
Piggy Bank Blues:
“Piggy Bank Blues” exemplifies the theme of everyday struggle and resilience, captured vividly in the lyrics: “woke up this morning with a hole in my shoe.” This image immediately establishes financial and material hardship, a common blues motif, and the song turns it into a narrative of perseverance. Musically, the track combines smoky guitar tones, soft piano textures, and a grounded rhythm section to reflect both hardship and determination. The guitar echoes the theme with expressive slides and muted plucks, as if walking carefully around life’s obstacles. Vocals are warm, slightly husky, and conversational, emphasizing both the humor and the frustration of the lyrics. Rhythmic syncopation mirrors the unpredictability of life under struggle, while occasional instrumental breaks give space for reflection, amplifying the lyrical theme. The track’s groove balances weariness with subtle energy, turning the everyday struggle into a shared, cathartic experience. By prioritizing the narrative of scarcity and resilience in the lyrics, and supporting it with instrumental choices that highlight emotional nuance, “Piggy Bank Blues” becomes a standout in the album, grounding listeners in a real-world blues experience while still maintaining musical engagement.
All That We Are Is A Profound Celebration Of Blues As A Living, Evolving Expression, Melding Tradition, Emotion, And Modern Energy Into A Journey Of Resilience, Connection, And Soulful Humanity.
~ Daniel (Dulaxi Team)
“All That We Are” solidifies Blues Corner as a visionary force in modern blues, seamlessly merging tradition with contemporary innovation. The album’s rich textures, emotive performances, and global collaborations create a deeply immersive experience that both honors the genre’s roots and reimagines its possibilities. Phil Roman and Seb Oroval demonstrate exceptional artistry, crafting music that resonates emotionally while showcasing technical mastery. For anyone seeking a profound journey through blues’ evolving landscape, this album is an essential listen. It invites repeated exploration, offering new discoveries with every listen, and firmly establishes Blues Corner as a leading voice in redefining modern blues.
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