Pierre Englebert

“Englebert knows his way around a tune, cast in a variety of styles. Over the course of three albums released since the beginning of 2020 he’s consistently turned out some lovely hooks. The latest is Wait, What?, an album that is constantly shifting between silly and serious, from the tender to the tendentious. Stand out tracks for me include the loping hook monster “In the Zoom Breakout Room” and the extremely brief but still delightful “Long Story Short.” “Virgin No More” is also a striking piano ballad instrumental. There are clearly many influences behind the album but the nods to Queen are clear and I’d add the Alan Parsons Projects at times. From previous releases, check out the ELO-ish “Self-Pity Party” and the sweet “When Carson Palmer Lived With Us” from Well.” - Poprock Record ~ Songs with a hook

“Pierre Englebert ... is a prolific one-man-band in Not a Moment too Soon. In November 2021, he released his third album Wait, What? featuring songs like “Claremont, California”, “Dating after 50”, “God, I Need a Drink!” and “In the Zoom Breakout Room.” While listening on Spotify, I couldn’t help but smile as I listened to whimsical lyrics like “God I need a drink!.....make it a Pomona Queen,” or “He walked into the door and I was already bored.” … With all the lyrics and complex, pop-like music created and produced by Pierre - himself - it’s hard not to be smitten by his music tracks that are influenced by epic bands such as Queen, Pink Floyd, Peter Frampton, and ELO - to name a few.” - Miss Claremont

“Arresting, unexpected and deeply funny, [the] lyrics set the tone for … the album and the musical journey on which it takes its listeners … witty and entertaining album … contains songs that are deeply personal as well as deeply smart and humorous … The variety of songs include “Claremont, California” — both a love letter and historical account of Claremont — and “A Manly Man I Am,” a criticism of those that oppose freedom of gender and sexual expression coupled with an affirmation of the beauty of love, no matter who it is between (and in all of this, a truly delightful Stan Lee joke) … attention to musical detail shines in the tracklist … When listening to the album — which features more classical instruments, complex chord structures and melodies than his previous work — listeners can definitely notice the added nuance and texture. Englebert has also taken more creative risks with this album … The album also functions as a cross-section of Englebert’s work as a politics professor, his research into African politics and his music. Songs like “In the Zoom Breakout Room” chronicle an emerging Zoom romance, inspired by Englebert’s observations of student interactions during online school. “Yo, Boy!” is a song about the horrors of war, inspired by Englebert’s research on civil wars in Africa.” - The Student Life

“elegantly arranged pop music full of sophisticated chord changes and voicings... [Englebert’s albums] abound with sophisticated pop, sinewy vocal melodies, complex arrangements and interestingly layered production choices. Fans of Neil Finn and Crowded House, XTC, Barenaked Ladies or Jellyfish may find some familiar touchstones here.” - The Claremont Courier

With four albums under his belt since 2020, Pierre has become a recognized and respected songwriter. ... Pierre is not only a talented musician but also a respected academic. He holds a professorship in political science at the Claremont Colleges and has extensive experience in the field, having taught at several prestigious universities across the country. He is a recognized expert on the politics of globalization, international organizations, and the development of democracy, and has contributed greatly to public policy debates in these areas. ... In his concerts, Pierre switches effortlessly between guitar and piano accompaniment, and takes his audience on an emotional journey through his songs. Whether it’s a hilarious moment or a touching piece that brings tears to the eyes, Pierre’s live performances are always a mesmerizing experience. ... Don’t miss the opportunity to experience the talent and passion of Pierre Englebert. - Pasadena Now