Orphan’s Lament: Steel & Velvet’s Tender Reimagining

Steel & Velvet, based in Brittany, France, is a three-piece band featuring Johann Le Roux (vocals), Romuald Ballet-Baz (guitar), and Jean-Alain Larreur (guitar). They deliver intimate, acoustic-centered folk-rock, often interpreting North American folk, rock, and grunge songs. Drawing inspiration from Neil Young, Mark Lanegan, and Johnny Cash’s American Recordings, they focus on stripped-back arrangements that foreground guitar and vocals.

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Recently, in October 2025, they released the EP People Just Float, featuring six tracks recorded with authentic minimalism. Among these, Orphan’s Lament stands out as a reimagined Robbie Basho composition. Transformed through Ballet-Baz’s intricate guitar work and Johann’s rich vocal interpretation, offering a delicate yet powerful rendition and serving as the focus of this review. Furthermore, they collaborated with cinematographer Loïc Moyou to create the short film Joshua, which extends the EP’s narrative. In the film, Orphan’s Lament introduces the protagonist, a figure shaped by abandonment, linking the music and visuals into a cohesive story.

Orphan’s Lament opens with a somber, minimalist guitar, immediately setting a melancholic tone. Then Johann’s vocals soar, open and operatic, carrying each line with a fragile, aching intensity. The elongated phrasing allows each word to linger, emphasizing the longing embedded in lines like, “Born for love and nothing more,” and “Will you wait for me?” Meanwhile, the guitar remains minimal, its bright strings contrasting with the melody’s dull ache, creating a tender, urgent atmosphere.

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The performance communicates desperation without pressure, transforming into a gentle request rather than a demand. Additionally, the repeated chorus, “I’ll be waiting there by the river, my love,” anchors the listener. It gives the song a meditative, reflective quality. Furthermore, subtle variations in vocal dynamics highlight the story’s emotional arc, while the restrained guitar ensures nothing overwhelms the vulnerability of the delivery. 

Finally, the combination of minimalist instrumentation, careful phrasing, and expressive singing turns Basho’s original composition into a moving, intimate reinterpretation, proving Steel & Velvet’s ability to convey profound emotion with simplicity and grace.

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