Egrégore, Mylène Farmer’s thirteenth studio album, was released on October 30, 2026, on the Stuffed Monkey label. This thirteen-track project, with a running time of approximately forty-five minutes, takes its name from an esoteric concept referring to a collective spiritual force.
Musically, the album blends pop elements with contemporary electronic production. While the singer wrote all the lyrics herself, she entrusted the compositions to several producers: DJ Lewis and Antoine Chatenet structured most of the tracks, while DJ Snake co-wrote two songs ( Combien pour la nuit and Sans amarres ) and Moby produced two others ( Recréer un jour and Plus d’écho ).
The promotional campaign notably featured the screening of music videos in movie theaters, including IMAX theaters, reaching more than 65,000 viewers. Upon its release, the album recorded 763,000 streams on Spotify within 24 hours.
It is now available for streaming as well as in physical formats, including CDs, vinyl records, and collector’s box sets.

For this review, you will find 5 versions tested:

• Ed 1: Tidal MAX – 2026
• Ed 2: Tidal Dolby Atmos – 2026
• Ed 3: Clear vinyl record – 2026
• Ed 4: CD Collector Edition – 2026
• Ed 5: IMAX preview Event – 2026

Below you will find the description of the different editions, as well as the measurements of each edition in the following chapters.

The synthesis of the review are available here

The album is composed of 13 tracks:

1. C’est qui le tour
2. Des lols et des quoi
3. Egrégore
4. Combien pour la nuit
5. Entendre ma voix
6. Reste la lumière
7. Sans amarres
8. Recréer un jour
9. On a toujours le choix
10. Déni
11. Confession
12. Dieu est mort
13. Plus d’écho

Summary, scoring and Samples

Ed 1: Tidal MAX – 2026

Presentation

This is the Tidal MAX presented in lossless 24 bits 44.1 kHz format. This is also available on Amazon Music an Apple Music.

Waveform and Spectrum: DR5

The waveform of the Tidal MAX – 2026 version shows a extremely low dynamic range confirmed with DR5.

The spectrogram shows that the signal rises to 22 kHz with no signal above this frequency due to the 44.1 kHz sampling frequency.

The graph below compares the spectrum of the Tidal MAX – 2026 (white curve) with the spectrum of the CD Collector Edition – 2026 (blue curve). The curves of the two spectra overlap perfectly, confirming that the same master was used.

Synthesis and listening

No surprise here, the sound is similar to that of the CD version. The dynamic range compression applied to this album means it falls in line with the loudness war, which is all the more unfortunate given that the 24-bit format has a dynamic range of over 140 dB!

Rating:

• Dynamic: ●oooo (1)
• Bandwidth: ●●●●o (4)
• Restitution: ●●ooo (2.5)

Ed 2: Tidal Dolby Atmos – 2026

Presentation

This is the Tidal Dolby Atmos presented in Dolby Digital Plus at 768 kbits/s. This is also available on Amazon Music an Apple Music.

Below the spatialization for all tracks. Click on the images to zoom in.

Waveform and Spectrum: DR13

The waveform of the Tidal Dolby Atmos – 2026 shows a high range confirmed with DR13 (in 9.1.6). DR12 in 2.0 downmix.

The spectrogram of the Tidal Dolby Atmos track in 9.1.6 is limited to 20kHz with no signal above . This limitation is due to Dolby Digital Plus encoding, which is a lossy encoder that limits bandwidth to optimize data size for a bit rate of 768 kbits/s. The LFE (bass channel) channel is filtered at 120Hz.

The graph below represents the spectrum of the Tidal Dolby Atmos – 2026.
The spectrum of Dolby Atmos version decoded in 9.1.6 shows that all channels are used, However, the frontal channels dominate in terms of sound levels.
The LFE channel is used with a cutoff frequency of 80 Hz (green arrow). The white arrow indicates the high-frequency limit at 20 kHz due to Dolby Digital Plus encoding. The yellow arrow indicates the high-frequency limit at 24 kHz due to encoding at the 48 kHz sampling frequency used.

Synthesis and listening

When listening to this Dolby Atmos version, one immediately thinks to compare it to the IMAX theater experience.
The difference mainly comes down to two points, the IMAX theater experience had tighter bass, which is due to two factors:

• The sound quality and volume level of the IMAX theater, as well as the master used in the IMAX theater, which is a lossless format, rather than the highly compressed format used for Dolby Digital Plus Atmos a difference that s particularly noticeable in the lower end of the spectrum, where the bass sounds less tight and deep.
• The dialogue sounds more refined and natural on the Atmos version compared to the IMAX theater, which is due to the high volume level in the IMAX theater.

Compared to the other versions, this one offers the most dynamic sound reproduction. There isn’t a Blu-ray release available to take advantage of a lossless format like Dolby Atmos TrueHD, which would bring the sound closer to the master used in theaters. As for the spatialization of the music on this album, this Dolby Atmos version replicates the experience heard in an IMAX theater.
It’s a very front-heavy mix perhaps even too front-heavy resulting in little difference from the stereo version in certain passages! Occasionally, the side surround speakers are used for vocals or an instrument, but the sound is predominantly a 3D reverb effect.
While recent Atmos album tests have shown an effort to leverage the format’s potential to add spatial nuances to the music, here, the spatialization is a real disappointment.

Rating:

• Dynamic: ●●●●o (4)
• Bandwidth: ●●●●o (4)
• Spatialization SP: ●●●ooooooo (2.8)
• Spatialization SK: ●●●●oooooo (4)
• Restitution: ●●●oo (3.5)

Ed 3: Clear vinyl record – 2026

Presentation

Clear double vinyl LP at 33.33 rpm with a gatefold sleeve (ref: 199584588315)

Waveform and Spectrum: DR10

The waveform of the Clear vinyl record – 2026 version shows a correct dynamic range confirmed with DR10.

The spectrogram shows that the signal rises above 20 kHz with signal above this frequency containing musical information and distortion due to the vinyl record s operating principle.

The graph below compares the spectrum of the Clear vinyl record – 2026 (white curve) with the spectrum of the Tidal MAX – 2026 (blue curve). The two curves align perfectly from 40 Hz to 22 kHz, demonstrating the quality of the lacquer mastering and the use of the same base master. Above 22 kHz, the white arrow indicates the background noise and distortion of the vinyl record.

Synthesis and listening

The vinyl record features excellent sound quality with minimal surface noise. The sound quality is closer to the CD version than to the Dolby Atmos version.
There is slightly more dynamic range, but this is mainly due to the fact that the pressing of a compressed master regenerates dynamic range (which is a form of distortion), as explained in the article Does Analog Media Force a Dynamic on Music? Or Does Analog Media Increase the Dynamics?
Here, Mylene’s voice comes through fully, and depending on your equipment, the listening experience may be more enjoyable than the digital stereo version.

Rating:

• Dynamic: ●●●oo (3)
• Bandwidth: ●●●●● (5)
• Restitution: ●●●oo (3)

Ed 4: CD Collector Edition – 2026

Presentation

A large-format deluxe hardcase box set that matches the dimensions of a 33-rpm vinyl record (approximately 31 x 31 cm and 1.3 cm thick), containing a CD and a large-format booklet featuring exclusive artwork (ref: 199584588827)

Waveform and Spectrum: DR5

The waveform of the CD Collector Edition – 2026 version shows a extremely low dynamic range confirmed with DR5.

The spectrogram shows that the signal rises to 22 kHz with no signal above this frequency *due to the 44.1 kHz sampling frequency.

The graph below compares the spectrum of the CD Collector Edition – 2026 (white curve) with the spectrum of the Clear vinyl record – 2026 (blue curve).The curves of the two spectra overlap perfectly, confirming that the same master was used.

Synthesis and listening

Unsurprisingly, the streaming version delivers a similar listening experience. This album is no exception to the loudness war, which, compared to the Dolby Atmos version, results in reduced dynamic range, a difference that’s particularly noticeable when you turn up the volume.
The sound lacks punch and energy, leaving it a far cry from the energy of an IMAX theater.
It’s worth noting the beautiful packaging of this collector s edition, which comes in a 30-cm format reminiscent of vinyl record sleeves.

Rating:

• Dynamic: ●oooo (1)
• Bandwidth: ●●●●o (4)
• Restitution: ●●ooo (2.5)

Ed 5: IMAX preview Event – 2026

Presentation

For this IMAX listening session, no measurements—just my impressions of listening to this album.
To start with—and this is an important point—regarding the listening level: given the sound level in the theater, we should be at a reference level of at least 85 dB.
Right from the first minute, Mylène Farmer speaks, and that’s a bit of a disaster—lots of sibilance, and her voice sounds a little harsh.
Fortunately, though, that disappears once the songs start.
The IMAX theater lives up to its reputation, capable of reproducing bass at high levels in a clean and dynamic manner.
This is evident in the songs from this new album, which draw us into the rhythm and atmosphere of the tracks.

However, the IMAX speakers also have the ability to produce a lot of energy across the rest of the spectrum and in the high frequencies as well, which is noticeable in the vocals—they lack the same finesse in reproduction as on other audio systems (such as Studio Atmos Music, for example).
It’s hard to say whether this is specific to the IMAX theater or if the same sound quality would be present in other movie theaters.

As for spatialization, it must be said that the mix is quite front-heavy, which was noticeable in the IMAX theater, but also in the Dolby Atmos version streamed on Tidal.
There was occasionally very light use of the surround channels, but it’s a far cry from the gold standard, and from the listening experience of the album Du Grand Bleu in a Dolby Cinema theater.

Compared to the other available versions, this is certainly the most dynamic and precise-sounding one, though with a slight caveat regarding the subtlety of the vocals.
We hope a Blu-ray version will be released in a format like Dolby Atmos TrueHD to deliver the dynamics and quality of a lossless format.
As for the picture, this is an adaptation made for the IMAX format; no IMAX cameras were used in this production.
This preview of Egrégore was mixed and mastered in the Creative Sound auditorium in Paris.

Synthesis and listening

Rating:

• Restitution: ●●●●o (4)

For her new album, Myl ne Farmer introduced a first-of-its-kind concept: premiering the album in movie theaters, specifically in IMAX theaters. It s an ambitious venture that sets a new standard for sound quality. However, the release in dynamically compressed digital formats (streaming and CD), thanks to the loudness war , does not capture the dynamic range available on this album as experienced in IMAX theaters. To experience the full dynamic range, one must turn to the Dolby Atmos version, which offers excellent dynamic range and would have deserved a Blu-ray release with lossless encoding (Dolby Atmos TrueHD) to preserve every nuance of Myléne s voice though it currently provides a very limited immersive experience with sound primarily coming from the front.

Dynamic Range measurements and spectra are shown below.

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Measurements

Dynamic Range comparaisons

Dynamic represents the ability to reproduce a wide range of sounds from the softest to the loudest. The target is to compare the dynamics of the music and not of the media (CD, digital files or vinyl).

The waveforms below represent the album with the same integrated loudness level of -20 LUFS.

For our 5 editions reviewed have obtained the following Dynamic Range (DR) :

	Tidal MAX – 2026	Tidal Dolby Atmos – 2026	Clear vinyl record – 2026	CD Collector Edition – 2026
Global	DR5	DR13	DR10	DR5
Min	DR4	DR8	DR9	DR4
Max	DR9	DR16	DR12	DR16
C’est qui le tour	DR05	DR14	DR12	DR05
Des lols et des quoi	DR04	DR12	DR10	DR04
Egr gore	DR05	DR12	DR10	DR05
Combien pour la nuit	DR04	DR14	DR09	DR04
Entendre ma voix	DR05	DR11	DR10	DR05
Reste la lumi re	DR05	DR14	DR10	DR05
Sans amarres	DR06	DR12	DR11	DR06
Recr er un jour	DR05	DR14	DR10	DR05
On a toujours le choix	DR04	DR16	DR11	DR04
D ni	DR05	DR12	DR10	DR05
Confession	DR09	DR12	DR11	DR09
Dieu est mort	DR05	DR14	DR10	DR05
Plus d’ cho	DR04	DR12	DR10	DR04

As a reminder, the scale goes from 0 to more 20, but the dynamics are considered good from 12, quite good between 10 and 11, and deteriorate below 10.

Detail of the ratings :

• Dynamic :
  1. Significant dynamic compression, DR less than 7
  2. Compression of the present dynamics, DR between 7 and 9.
  3. Correct piece DR >=10
  4. No dynamic compression (DR >12), dynamic rendering
  5. No dynamic compression, high DR and very dynamic sound rendering
• Spectrum :
  1. Spectrum cut and less than 15 khz
  2. Spectrum cut at 15 khz
  3. Spectrum not conforming to the original and cut (not HD) or original but limited bandwidth (but less than 20 kHz)
  4. Spectrum conforming to the original (but not HD)
  5. Spectrum conforming to the original with HD resolution (higher than 24kHz)
• Surface noise (only for vinyl):
  1. Continuous audible noise
  2. Audible surface noise except on passages with a high level of noise
  3. Reduced surface noise, barely audible on low level crossings
  4. Low surface noise, very good quality
  5. Very low surface noise, no defects, almost inaudible on the quiet passages (exceptional disc)
• Spatialization :
  • Between 0 and 5 for 5.1 or 7.1 channels configuration
  • Between 0 and 10 for Atmos configuration (7.1.4)
  • For more information on spatialization, you can read the article describing this parameter here.
• Restitution :
  1. Low quality of the restitution mixing dynamics, clarity, separation of voices and instruments.
  2. Average quality of the restitution mixing dynamics, clarity, separation of voices and instruments.
  3. Quality of the restitution mixing dynamics, clarity, separation of voices and instruments. Good record.
  4. High quality of the restitution mixing dynamics, clarity, separation of voices and instruments. Very high level disc.
  5. Maximum quality of the restitution mixing dynamics, clarity, separation of voices and instruments. Exceptional disc.

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