SCHØØL Releases Debut Album ‘I Think My Life Has Been OK’

Last Updated on 2025-06-28 by a-indie

SCHØØL (School), formed in Paris in autumn 2023, announced the release of their debut album ‘I Think My Life Has Been OK’ on September 5, 2024.

This album will be released on the Géographie label based in Paris, France.

Paris-born rising star band SCHØØL

Band formation and history

SCHØØL is a band led by Francis Mallari after his activities with Rendez-Vous, consisting of members Erica Ashleson (Bass), Jack Moase (Guitar), and Alex Battez (Drums).

Erica has a history of activities with Special Friend and Dog Park, Jack is also a member of Liquid Face, and Alex is a member of Marble Arch.

Member composition

They came together to form the band they had dreamed of since their teenage years, drawing inspiration from 90s shoegaze bands such as Swirlies and Drop Nineteens.

The band’s musicality is characterized by an innovative approach that rides the wave of the modern “shoegaze” revival while adding their own unique interpretation.

Musicality and influences

SCHØØL’s music is gaining attention as an entity that updates shoegaze for the modern era.

Their music has a special charm that pulls listeners in all directions, providing both chaos and euphoria simultaneously.

The band members each bring rich experience from different bands and share common musical roots.

This “melting pot”-like fusion creates SCHØØL’s distinctive musicality that goes beyond just shoegaze.

Talked-about debut single “N.S.M.L.Y.D”

Song characteristics and background

SCHØØL’s representative song “N.S.M.L.Y.D,” which has already attracted attention, was released on the Géographie label.

About this song, frontman Francis Mallari said, “The synth riff aimed to be as catchy as an old phone ringtone that gets stuck in your head.”

The song title is an abbreviation of “Nothing Satisfies Me Like You Do,” and the theme is idolizing someone.

It features raspy vocals and glitchy guitar tones, with a finish that endlessly expands the 90s sound.

Music video

The music video was filmed by Ludovic Azémar in Paris’s Chinatown in January this year.

Using an old DV camera and fisheye lens, it aims to capture the innocence and nostalgia of youthful adventures.

It depicts the band members hanging out at a supermarket, wandering the city, and ending their journey at a restaurant.

I Think My Life Has Been OK

Album details

The debut album ‘I Think My Life Has Been OK,’ scheduled for release on September 5th, consists of 10 tracks in total.

The album includes the already-released singles “N.S.M.L.Y.D,” “The End,” and “Gardener.”

Track listing:
1. Schøøl Suxx
2. N.S.M.L.Y.D
3. OK \＜3
4. Missed Call
5. 3467200
6. Mouzer’s Quest
7. Gardener
8. Passing Breeze
9. The End
10. Chevalier B
* ＜ in Tr.3 is half-width.
View on bandcamp

Release party

To commemorate the album release, a release party is scheduled to be held at La Boule Noire in Paris on September 24th.

It has been decided that Clarence.mp3, an artist from Bordeaux, will also perform.

The Géographie label has also released notable artists such as Marble Arch, Dog Park, Good Morning TV, and Bad Pelicans, and SCHØØL is positioned as a promising new star in this lineage.

This album release is expected to be an important work that will bring new wind to the French indie rock scene.

About BELONG Media/A-indie

BELONG Media is an indie music media outlet that started in 2012. We cover indie music from around the world, including Japan and overseas. In 2021, we appeared as a guest on J-WAVE’s “SONAR MUSIC.” In 2022, we launched “A-indie,” an English-language sister site focusing on Asian music.

• BELONG Media: [https://belongmedia.net/]
• A-indie: [https://a-indie.com/]
• x(BELONG Media): [https://x.com/BELONG_Media]
• x(Jingle Jungle Range Town Project): [https://x.com/JingleJungleRT]
• Instagram: [https://www.instagram.com/belong_media]
• Link List: [https://linktr.ee/belong_media]
• Contact regarding this matter: BELONG Media/A-indie Email: [belongmagazine1967＠gmail.com](Please change “＠” to “@”)