Cherophobia is a concept album written and produced by Cedric Wattergniaux with the artwork of NW-ART BRUT, exploring the fear of happiness as an intimate flaw, a poetic tension, and an emotional journey. Through seven tracks featuring distinctive voices (Silly Shadow, Eeresseie, Clémence Legrand, Eri B., Natasha Moreno, MadMac, Deranged Psyche), alongside two instrumental pieces, the album weaves a fragmented narrative between nocturnal confessions, wounded memories, and a yearning for light.
Each song offers a variation on the central paradox : the desire to be happy, yet the fear that this happiness is merely a prelude to a fall. The lyrics, often whispered or half-sung, evoke absence, loss, toxic relationships, but also filial love, the need to disappear, and the fragile beauty of the present moment. Cedric Wattergniaux is a Belgian composer, producer, and French teacher whose work blends atmospheric electronic music with poetic introspection and performative writing. Cedric was also so kind to enlighten me about certain songs, discover it all underneath:
My Son Of The Moon (feat. Mad Mac): trip hop with a voice over. Would sound nice in a fancy restaurant or during a lounge set. My Son of the Moon is first and foremost a declaration of love to Cedric's son. The song was written 2 years ago. I chose trip-hop because it’s a genre we both love. Every track has its own story, its own weight, just like this one.
Venom And Desdain (feat. Eeerisei): is female fronted, has a darker edge and might get more likes then the previous track (at least according to my personal taste).
As The City Lights Flickered...: a bit of drum’n bass, a bit of electronical layers, no vocals. Almost soundscape minded.
A Paradox So Cruel (feat. Silly Shadow) sounds a bit spooky. I must say that the vocals fit the song like a handmade glove!
In This Soul’s Journey starts with electronics, jumps over a short accoustic set and brings in dru’n bass and a bit of trip hop with still some guitars. It’s a bit of a confusing song as I can never say what the dircection of the song will be.
Punch The Air (feat. Natasha Moreno) is a strange song that sounds like not knowing if the tempo has tob e slow or speeded up, whilst I hear all kind of noize. At some point I’m hoping the tempo goes up and the party finally gets started. It’s the best song so far!
Leaving Behind A Silent Darkness (feat. Heri B.) gives us more darkness, a spooky sound with some heavy beats. I like the lyrics. It’s the best song so far!
Quel Est Ton Nom (feat. Deranged Psyche): a Flemish guy reads french poetry with spooky background music. That’s this song in a nutshell. The Flemish person reading the texts is Stef Froidcoeur aka Deranged Psyche from Side-Line. He used to sing in electro bands in the 90s such as Fuze Box Machine, Toxic Shock Syndrome, occasionally Ionic Vision, and also Nebula-H. He hadn’t recorded anything for about 15 years, so having him involved was a small event in itself.
Chaque Souffle Du Vent (feat. Clémence): a love song? I feel positive electronic vibes, but also some darkness. As if the wind takes away the positive side. Truth is what Cedric says abut the song:I wrote it two years ago, at a time when I had just lost my father. The final track is about his cremation, and about the fact that I didn’t have the courage to attend the scattering of his ashes.
Conclusion: It's A very special one, not my cup of tea. I fit wasn’t for Cedric I would have ignored it and would have gone for the new Selah Sue live album. I’m pretty sure the new direction will get more fans into this project. The vocal participant scan be counted in as lifting this project to a higher level. So: well done Cedric!
