After a decade in the band Humphrey Salade, Daniel Bélanger had nailed his distinctive songwriting voice by the time he released his 1992 solo debut: wry, whimsical, and enamored of wordplay. But with singles like “Opium”—all galactic imagery and pealing riffs—he established himself as a star on the rise. Les insomniaques s’amusent (Insomniacs Play) pairs lyrical flights of fancy with crisp guitars, atmospheric effects, and snappy snares, creating a moody alt-rock landscape that sounds entirely of its time, without feeling dated.