Planet 1999
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Planet 1999 is a French synth-pop and shoegaze band based in London. The group consists of members Caro, Alex, and Charles,[1] who also operate as solo acts under the names ultra caro, DJ Kit (formerly City Links), and Ultralove, respectively. They were the first band to be signed to the record label PC Music.[2] They also occasionally act as songwriters and record producers for other artists.
Key Information
Alex described the defining characteristics of their music as a "minimalistic shoegaze loop with over-processed vocals on top of it."[1] The band has cited many shoegaze and krautrock artists as their inspirations.[3] Often featured in Planet 1999's visuals is a mascot named Zippy which was designed by artist Leomi Sadler.[4]
History
[edit]Alex and Charles are brothers and previously have made music together.[1] Caro was born in Marseille but grew up further east along the coast[3] and made music mostly on her own. They met after Caro attended a psychedelic rock concert in Paris and found a flyer from Charles and Alex saying they were looking for a singer.[1] Together they formed the now defunct Dead Sea group with Julien Moreno. They were signed to PIAS Recordings, and released a handful of singles, as well as an EP titled Colorate in May 2018.[5]
In late 2018, Caro, Alex and Charles emailed A. G. Cook, head of record label PC Music, and after meeting with him were eventually signed to the label.[1]
Cook introduced Charli XCX to Planet 1999's music which led to them co-producing Charli XCX's song "February 2017"[6] and Nasty Cherry's "What Do You Like In Me?".[7] Planet 1999 also composed the score to the Netflix series about Nasty Cherry's come up.
Planet 1999 released their debut single "Spell" in September 2019.[2] In November 2019, they performed at fellow PC Music artist Hannah Diamond's concert in Paris during The Invisible Tour.[8] In early 2020, Planet 1999 released two more singles, "Party"[9] and "Replay",[10] "Party" was accompanied by a video featuring their mascot Zippy. Later in the year they released their EP "Devotion" in March 2020.[11] The group has named artists Cocteau Twins, Hannah Diamond, Frank Ocean, Croatian Amor, and Uli K as some of the biggest inspirations for the project.[12] In January 2021, they released a deluxe version of the EP, featuring 3 new remixes. This came with a CD release.
In August 2020, the band was featured on the song "Everyday, Everynight" by Anamanaguchi.[13]
In November 2020, Caro began releasing solo material under the moniker ultra caro (formerly caro♡).[14] She released her debut album Heartbeats/Heartbreaks in September 2021.[15] It was released alongside a Bandcamp exclusive bonus demo album titled the lost logic files vol.1.[16] A remix EP was released in January 2022, featuring remixes from PC Music affiliates Lil Data, Cecile Believe, Himera, Count Baldor, and more.
In May 2021, Planet 1999 produced for Australian singer Banoffee's single "Tapioca Cheeks".[17] Charles also produced multiple tracks off of her Tear Tracks album. They additionally announced a European 2022 tour with Anamanaguchi.
Planet 1999 unveiled details of their upcoming EP This Is Our Music in late March 2022,[18] additionally releasing the lead single from the EP, "crush".[19] The EP released in June 2022.[20] Alex also created his own record label, City Links Recordings.
Caro will release her second studio album Wild at ♡ in September 2023. It was supported by the singles "From the Heart <3" and "4ever1".[21][22] It will again be released alongside a Bandcamp exclusive bonus demo album titled the lost logic files vol.2.
Discography
[edit]As a band
[edit]EPs
[edit]Devotion (2020)
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Spell" | 2:15 |
| 2. | "Party" | 2:50 |
| 3. | "Awake" | 2:03 |
| 4. | "Replay" | 2:54 |
| 5. | "Haze" | 0:59 |
| 6. | "Night" | 2:03 |
| 7. | "Devotion" | 2:40 |
| Total length: | 15:42 | |
Devotion Deluxe (2021)
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 8. | "Awake" (Dinamarca Remix) | 2:52 |
| 9. | "Night" (DJ Lostboi Remix) | 4:20 |
| 10. | "Party" (A. G. Cook x Baseck Remix) | 8:00 |
| Total length: | 30:52 | |
This Is Our Music ♫ (2022)
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Z:/" | 0:08 |
| 2. | "i<3u" | 1:36 |
| 3. | "dune" | 2:29 |
| 4. | "crush" | 2:28 |
| 5. | "gold" | 2:33 |
| 6. | "()-( : > )-<={|" | 0:35 |
| Total length: | 9:51 | |
Singles
[edit]- "Spell" (2019)
- "Party" (2020)
- "Replay" (2020)
- "Everyday, Everynight" (2020) (with Anamanaguchi)
- "crush" (2022)
- "dune" (2022)
Remixes
[edit]- Orchin – "dRiVe" (2020)
- Banoffee – "This Is For Me [baby blue]" (2020)
Other songs
[edit]- “May (Radish)” (2021)[23]
As solo artists
[edit]ultra caro
[edit]Albums
[edit]Heartbeats/Heartbreaks (2021)
All tracks written and produced by Caroline Beatrix Maurin. All tracks are stylized in all lowercase, with the exception of "4U".
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Le Grand Bleu" | 1:46 |
| 2. | "Hide Me Here" | 3:23 |
| 3. | "Moonrise" | 1:33 |
| 4. | "Over U" | 4:16 |
| 5. | "Heart in 2" | 4:10 |
| 6. | "Wild at Heart" | 4:06 |
| 7. | "Drop in the Ocean" | 4:57 |
| 8. | "Sad Song 33" | 3:11 |
| 9. | "4U" | 3:11 |
| 10. | "7 Waves" | 2:30 |
| 11. | "Sad Song 77" | 2:50 |
| 12. | "Marseille" | 3:07 |
| 13. | "20K Feet Under" | 2:43 |
| 14. | "Do You Believe in Forever" | 1:29 |
| Total length: | 43:02 | |
Wild at ♡ (2023)
All tracks written and produced by Caroline Beatrix Maurin. All tracks are stylized in all lowercase.
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Behind the Clouds" | 3:08 |
| 2. | "4ever1" | 2:38 |
| 3. | "Under the Stars" | 1:49 |
| 4. | "Dreamersofdreams" | 3:28 |
| 5. | "Running w Wolves" | 2:36 |
| 6. | "Comet" | 3:12 |
| 7. | "In2u" | 3:21 |
| 8. | "Wildatheart Reload" | 0:49 |
| 9. | "Dive Like a Dove" | 2:47 |
| 10. | "In2 the Wild" | 4:25 |
| 11. | "From the Heart <3" | 4:14 |
| Total length: | 32:31 | |
Singles
[edit]All tracks are stylized in all lowercase.
- "Hide Me Here" (2020)
- "Sad Song 77" (2021)
- "Heart in 2" (2021)
- "Over U" (2021)
- "20K Feet Under" (2021)
- "From the Heart <3" (2023)
- "4ever1" (2023)
Guest appearances
[edit]- GUTTERRING – "cool" from BODYLEPSIS (2022)
Remixes
[edit]- Silly Boy Blue – "The Riddle" (2021)
- A. G. Cook – "Drink Blood" (2021)
- Namasenda – "Steel" (2021) (featuring Hannah Diamond)
- Erika de Casier – "Better Than That" (2021) (co-remix with Hannah Diamond)
- Wave Racer – "Look Up To Yourself" (2022)
Songwriting and production credits
[edit]| Title | Year | Lead artist | Album | Credit(s) | Member(s) | Notes | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Writing | Production | Caro | Alex | Charles | |||||
| "What Do You Like In Me" | 2019 | Nasty Cherry | Non-album single | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Also mixers |
| "February 2017" | Charli XCX | Charli | Yes | Co | Yes | Yes | Yes | Featuring Clairo & Yaeji, co-produced with A. G. Cook | |
| "Tapioca Cheeks" | 2021 | Banoffee | Tear Tracks | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||
| "Enough" | Yes | Yes | Charles is credited as 'Ultralove' | ||||||
| "I Hate It" | Yes | Yes | |||||||
| "Money" | Yes | Yes | |||||||
| "Tears" | Yes | Yes | |||||||
| "Unspoken" | 2022 | Tessa Dixson | Unspoken EP | Charles mixer | |||||
| "Creep" | Yes | Yes | Yes | Charles also mixer | |||||
| "Forget U" | Yes | Yes | |||||||
| "True" | Yes | Yes | |||||||
| "Bad Thoughts" | Yes | Yes | |||||||
| "I Gave U Everything" | Charles mixer | ||||||||
| "u&me" | lagrima | eyes still closed | Yes | Yes | Alex also mixer, credited as 'City Links' | ||||
| "This Feeling" | Yes | Yes | |||||||
| "Raindrops" | Yes | Yes | |||||||
| "Hide and Seek" | Yes | Yes | |||||||
| "Walking Away" | LST | Closer EP | Yes | Yes | Charles is credited as 'Ultralove', additional production from and mixed by Shlohmo | ||||
| "Nightdrive" | Caro & Charles | Yes | Yes | Charles is credited as 'Ultralove', additional production from Juice Jackal, Groundislava and Shlohmo, mixed by Shlohmo | |||||
| "Take Care" | Simili Gum | 2He | Alex | Yes | Yes | Alex is credited as 'City Links' | |||
| "Helium" | Alex | Yes | Yes | ||||||
| "Nightmares" | 2023 | lagrima | Non-album single | Alex mixer, credited as 'City Links', also co-artist | |||||
| "Eclipse" | |||||||||
| "Haunt" | daine | Shapeless | Caro | Yes | Yes | ||||
| "6 Kiss" | Munix | Left Out | Yes | Additional | Alex also mixer, credited as 'DJ Kit' | ||||
| "i Two" | Yes | Additional | |||||||
| "Belgium Angel" | Yes | Additional | |||||||
| "Long Gone" | Yes | Additional | |||||||
| "End Fall" | Yes | Additional | |||||||
| "10 Years" | Yes | Additional | |||||||
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e Dazed (22 January 2020). "Inside the orbit of Planet 1999, the first band signed to PC Music". Dazed. Retrieved 20 September 2020.
- ^ a b "Planet 1999 Sign To PC Music, Share New Single 'Spell'". Clash Magazine. 5 September 2019. Retrieved 20 September 2020.
- ^ a b "Get To Know... Planet 1999". diymag.com. 9 March 2020. Retrieved 21 September 2020.
- ^ "Planet 1999 on Instagram: "Our first single "Spell" is out now on @pcmus!! (link in bio) 🔮 😈 💫 Thank u @leon_sadler for creating the artwork and our new friend Zippy…"". Instagram. Archived from the original on 26 December 2021. Retrieved 20 September 2020.
- ^ "Dead Sea's debut EP "Colorate"out now". Front View Magazine. 7 May 2018. Retrieved 24 November 2022.
- ^ "Charli XCX Reflects On "February 2017" With Clairo & Yaeji". idolator. 6 September 2019. Retrieved 20 September 2020.[dead link]
- ^ "Nasty Cherry Is Back With "What Do You Like In Me?"". idolator. 28 May 2019. Retrieved 20 September 2020.[dead link]
- ^ @hannahdiamond (2 December 2019). "So happy to announce my friends @plnt99 as my special guest for my Paris show on 11.12.19" (Tweet). Retrieved 20 September 2020 – via Twitter.
- ^ "PC Music's resident shoegaze band Planet 1999 share new single, 'Party'". FACT Magazine. 22 January 2020. Retrieved 20 September 2020.
- ^ "Planet 1999 Reach Dream-Pop Paradise on "Replay"". pastemagazine.com. 14 February 2020. Retrieved 20 September 2020.
- ^ "Planet 1999 Twinkles with Tender Enthusiasm on Devotion". pastemagazine.com. 13 March 2020. Retrieved 20 September 2020.
- ^ Stereo, London In (10 March 2020). "Planet 1999 // In Five | LONDON IN STEREO". Archived from the original on 21 March 2020. Retrieved 21 September 2020.
- ^ @anamanaguchi (25 August 2020). "'Everyday, Everynight' (ft. @plnt99) summer single no. 5" (Tweet). Retrieved 20 September 2020 – via Twitter.
- ^ "caro♡ Shares Extraordinary Single 'hide me here'". Clash Magazine. Retrieved 10 July 2021.
- ^ "PC Music's caro♡ Announces Album 'Heartbeats/Heartbreaks'". Clash Magazine. Archived from the original on 10 July 2021. Retrieved 10 July 2021.
- ^ "Heartbeats/Heartbreaks, by caro♡". caro♡. Retrieved 10 July 2021.
- ^ "Banoffee's 'Tapioca Cheeks' Is A Song About Fear And Falling In Love". UPROXX. 21 May 2021. Retrieved 10 July 2021.
- ^ "Charles Teiller unveils EP tracklist via Discord Q&A • Instagram". www.instagram.com. Retrieved 1 April 2022.
- ^ "Planet 1999 Soundtrack the Adrenaline Rush of Falling for Someone on "Crush"". FLOOD. Retrieved 1 April 2022.
- ^ "'Everything Is About Emotion' on Planet 1999's New EP". PAPER. 27 June 2022. Retrieved 27 July 2022.
- ^ Taylor, Sam (24 August 2023). "caro♡ has released a new album teaser - check out '4ever1'". Dork. Retrieved 26 August 2023.
- ^ LADYGUNN (25 August 2023). "LADYGUNN – French hyper-pop musician caro♡ is ready to share everything about her new single "4ever1" and upcoming album "wild at". LADYGUNN. Retrieved 26 August 2023.
- ^ Planet 1999 ~ May (Radish), retrieved 10 July 2021
Planet 1999
View on GrokipediaBackground
Formation
Dead Sea, the precursor to Planet 1999, was a Paris-based dream pop band formed in 2014 by vocalist Caroline Maurin (known as Caro or ultra caro), brothers Charles and Alexandre Teiller on production and synthesizers, and guitarist Julien Moreno.[8] The group drew initial inspirations from psychedelic rock and electronic elements, influenced by acts like Beach House and The Horrors, emphasizing emotional and atmospheric songwriting over topical themes.[9] Caro first connected with the Teiller brothers at a psychedelic rock festival in Paris, where they had distributed a flyer seeking a vocalist, leading to their collaboration in Dead Sea.[1] Signed to PIAS Recordings, Dead Sea released singles such as "Lotion" and "8.50" before issuing their debut EP Colorate on May 4, 2018, which featured tracks blending dreamy synths and reverb-heavy guitars.[10] The EP marked the band's most significant output, produced and mixed in Paris, but highlighted growing tensions in their creative direction amid the evolving local music scene.[11] Following Colorate's release, Dead Sea disbanded in 2019, with Moreno departing and the remaining core trio—Caro, Alex, and Charles—relocating to London to pursue a new project.[8] This transition, occurring in late 2018, shifted their sound from psychedelic dream pop toward a more pronounced synth-pop and shoegaze aesthetic, inspired by 1990s influences and the desire for escapist, melancholic electronic textures.[12] The trio formalized Planet 1999 during this period, emailing PC Music founder A.G. Cook in late 2018 to explore opportunities aligned with their evolving style.[1]Members
Planet 1999 is a three-member band consisting of vocalist and primary songwriter Caroline Beatrix Christine Maurin (known as Caro), producer and instrumentalist Alexandre Teiller (known as Alex), and producer Charles Teiller (known as Charles).[13] The group originated from the earlier project Dead Sea.[4] Caroline Beatrix Christine Maurin, born in France, serves as the lead vocalist and primary songwriter for Planet 1999, contributing ethereal, over-processed vocals that define the band's sound.[1][14] She pursues solo work under the alias ultra caro.[14] Alexandre Teiller handles production and instrumentation, shaping the band's looping synth structures.[13] He releases music solo as DJ Kit, previously under the alias City Links.[15] Charles Teiller, Alexandre's brother, contributes additional production and instrumentation, enhancing the atmospheric layers.[13] His solo alias is Ultralove.[16] The members, who split their time between Paris and London, collaborate closely to craft Planet 1999's minimalistic shoegaze sound, characterized by simple synth loops and emotive vocal processing, with Caro providing the melodic core and the Teiller brothers building the instrumental foundation.[1][17]Musical style
Genre and sound
Planet 1999's music primarily blends synth-pop and shoegaze, drawing on the label's hyperpop influences through their affiliation with PC Music.[1][18] This fusion creates a signature "bubble-gaze" sound, characterized by dreamy, ethereal textures that evoke early 1990s shoegaze while incorporating bubblegum-pop melodies.[17] The band's work often features minimalistic arrangements built around simple synth-based loops, fostering a hypnotic and subtle atmosphere.[1] Key sonic elements include over-processed vocals—frequently Auto-Tuned and pitched for an airy, obscured quality—and lush, reverb-heavy production that emphasizes emotional depth over complexity.[1] Synthesizers dominate the instrumentation, paired with subtle guitar elements to generate immersive, melancholic yet hopeful tones, while lyrics explore themes of devotion, yearning, and heartbreak through intimate, repetitive phrasing.[19] Their releases maintain brevity, with EPs like Devotion (15:42) and this is our music ♫ (9:49) averaging under 20 minutes, enhancing replay value and a sense of fleeting intimacy.[20][21] The band's production style has evolved from the raw, demo-like energy of their 2019 debut single "Spell" to more polished, bright studio arrangements in subsequent EPs, refining their shoegaze-synth-pop core into brighter, upbeat explorations without losing emotional subtlety.[1][18] This progression reflects a sharpening of melodic precision and vocal layering, transitioning from melancholic introspection to infectious, pop-infused radiance.[19]Visual aesthetics
Planet 1999's visual identity is prominently anchored by their mascot Zippy, a 3D character designed by visual artist Leomi Sadler, who has contributed to much of the band's artwork and merchandise.[1][22] Zippy symbolizes the band's playful and escapist vibe, often appearing as a whimsical guide in their promotional materials.[19] The overall aesthetic draws from retro-futuristic elements, particularly evident in Y2K-inspired 3D environments that blend nostalgia with digital surrealism, influenced by the DIY ethos of London's underground scene and PC Music's signature hyperreal, internet-native gloss.[19][23] This integration creates a cohesive branding that emphasizes high-production whimsy alongside accessible, handmade touches, as seen in hand-printed merchandise collaborations with Sadler.[1] Music videos and artwork adopt a minimalist yet vibrant style, featuring the band members navigating ethereal, evolving 3D landscapes that evoke early computer graphics and dreamy escapism.[1][18] For instance, the "Party" video showcases Zippy alongside the group in a lo-fi, pixelated world directed by Aidan Zamiri and animated by Eamonn Freel, highlighting their focus on immersive digital realms.[24] The Devotion EP artwork, also by Sadler, captures this approach with simple, evocative designs that tie into the band's thematic universe.[25] These visuals enhance fan engagement by providing a layered, immersive complement to the band's presentations, fostering a sense of shared digital fantasy that deepens audience connection through playful symbolism and nostalgic futurism.[1][19]Career
2018–2020
In late 2018, Planet 1999 contacted A.G. Cook via email, leading to their signing as the inaugural band to the PC Music label after a subsequent meeting months later.[1] This deal marked a shift for PC Music, traditionally focused on solo artists, toward incorporating a full band format into its hyper-futurist pop roster.[3] The band's debut single, "Spell," was released on September 3, 2019, introducing their signature blend of dreamy shoegaze and ethereal pop with lush, reverb-heavy production and introspective lyrics.[5] The track received positive attention for its nostalgic yet innovative sound, establishing Planet 1999 as a fresh voice within the label's experimental ecosystem.[3] Building on this momentum, Planet 1999 released their debut EP, Devotion, on March 6, 2020, comprising seven tracks including "Spell," "Party," "Awake," "Replay," "Haze," "Night," and the title track "Devotion."[5] The EP expanded on their hazy, romantic aesthetic, with songs like "Party" exploring themes of fleeting connections through shimmering synths and layered vocals, accompanied by a video directed by Aidan Zamiri featuring the band's mascot Zippy and A.G. Cook.[1] Additional singles from the period included "Replay" in early 2020, which highlighted their knack for concise, emotive hooks, and "Everyday, Everynight" in collaboration with Anamanaguchi on August 25, 2020, fusing chiptune elements with Planet 1999's dream-pop sensibilities.[5][26] During this formative phase, Planet 1999 also gained recognition through key production collaborations. They co-produced Charli XCX's "February 2017" (featuring Clairo and Yaeji) for her 2019 album Charli, contributing to its wistful, collaborative vibe alongside A.G. Cook.[27] In 2019, they produced Nasty Cherry's "What Do You Like in Me?" for the band's EP Season 1, infusing the track with their signature atmospheric textures.[28] Furthermore, Planet 1999 scored original music for the Netflix docuseries I'm with the Band: Nasty Cherry, supporting the all-female band's development under Charli XCX's mentorship.[1] These efforts underscored their growing role as versatile contributors in the PC Music and broader pop landscape.2021–present
In January 2021, Planet 1999 released a deluxe edition of their debut EP Devotion, expanding the original tracklist with three new remixes, including versions of "Awake" by Dinamarca, "Party" by A. G. Cook and Baseck, and "Spell" by Namasenda.[29] This release, issued via PC Music on January 6, built on the band's early momentum by incorporating collaborations with prominent figures in the hyperpop and electronic scenes.[30] Later that year, in June 2021, the band announced a 2022 European and UK tour supporting American chiptune rock group Anamanaguchi. The tour, which included dates across the UK and continental Europe, highlighted Planet 1999's growing international presence and alignment with like-minded acts blending synth-pop with experimental elements.[31] Building toward their next project, Planet 1999 issued the single "crush" on March 31, 2022, a shimmering track characterized by hazy vocals and pulsating synths that evoked the emotional intensity of infatuation.[32] This was followed by "dune" on May 26, 2022, which featured ethereal production and lyrics exploring longing and escapism, further teasing the band's evolving sound.[33] Both singles served as precursors to their second EP, this is our music ♫, released on June 23, 2022, via PC Music.[34] The six-track collection, clocking in at around 10 minutes, included the aforementioned singles alongside "Z:/," "i<3u," "gold," and the brief instrumental "()-( : >)-<={|," presenting a cohesive "love letter to love and music itself" with lush, reverb-drenched arrangements written and produced entirely by the band.[34] Since the release of this is our music ♫, Planet 1999 has maintained their base in London, continuing as an active French synth-pop and shoegaze trio under PC Music.[6] No further band releases have been announced as of November 2025, though members have pursued individual production endeavors within the broader electronic music landscape.Discography
EPs
Planet 1999's extended plays, released under the PC Music label, showcase the band's evolution from dreamy synthpop to more experimental hyperpop influences, with a focus on ethereal vocals and nostalgic aesthetics. Their debut EP, Devotion, marked their introduction to the label in 2020, emphasizing themes of longing, intimacy, and escapist reverie through hazy production and shoegaze-inspired textures.[5][35] Subsequent releases built on this foundation, incorporating remixes and bolder sonic explorations, receiving praise for blending PC Music's glossy hyperpop with tender, 90s dream-pop nostalgia.[20][36] Devotion, released on March 6, 2020, via PC Music, consists of seven tracks with a total duration of 15:42, capturing the band's signature blend of soft synths, reverb-drenched guitars, and whispered vocals that evoke emotional vulnerability and nocturnal introspection.[5][37] The tracklist is as follows:- "Spell" (2:15)
- "Party" (2:50)
- "Awake" (2:03)
- "Replay" (2:54)
- "Haze" (0:59)
- "Night" (2:03)
- "Devotion" (2:40)
- "Z:/" (0:08)
- "i<3u" (1:36)
- "dune" (2:29)
- "crush" (2:28)
- "gold" (2:33)
- "()-( : >)-<={|" (0:35)