Montreal-based songbird Thaïs made this gorgeous, very NOW chanson. Let yourself go to this:
Theodora
There is a lot to say about Theodora, about her roots (Congolese, Swiss), about her hyperfeminine image, her hyper-dancepop, but there is also this song. It was recommended by Coline BLF on her instagram. It’s great (and a-typical for the rest of Theodora’s music)
Joe la panic
Joe la panic‘s album is out, need to hear that properly, but this track I immediatly fell in love with:
Attention le tapis prend feu
With a bandname like Attention le tapis prend feu (Watch it, the rug is on fire) you expect the kooky, uptempo music like this great single by the French duo:
Lubiana
On her second album, ‘Belgo-Camerounaise’ singer and kora-player Lubiana shows her ability to be tender, poignant and danceable. She sings in English, French and Bangwa. She’s an avid jazz-fan (Nina Simone, Sarah Vaughan) but also inspired by 90s R&B divas like Lauryn Hill. And, of course, by the African greats like Toumani Diabate. Terre Rouge refers to the red clay of Cameroon. Love that powerful, yet sweet smokey voice.
Bouche Carrée
Bouche Carrée is the nom de plume of Marseille’s Melanie Perez. She released an EP with disco-infected, yacht-rock referencing French pop, with soulful undertones and a sunny vibe. When I look outside, it’s grey and rainy at the moment (hey, c’est l’automne) but Bouche Carrée makes me feel like I’m floating on an inflatable.
Pâle Regard
I was raised on a steady diet of Cocteau Twins, Lush and other merchants of ethereal guitars and reverb-y vocals (or reverb-y guitars and ethereal vocals). So Pâle Regard has a special place in my heart, and this new EP is just GREAT. Already posted the highlight (Collation), but this uplifting, catchy track is a delight too:
O’O
O’O is the moniker under which Victoria Suter (vocals) and Mathieu Daubigné make crisp electronica-driven pop. In both English and French. On their second album, you can dance to the tracks (‘Tako-Tsubo’), sometimes just a head-nod will do (‘Le jour et la nuit’). Or float away in the beautiful electronic lake of ‘Les os du lac’. Victoria’s husky, delicate vocals blend in very nicely with the bleeps, beats and clicks. For me, ‘Le jour et la nuit’, stands out. There’s a Brigitte (the duo)-ish vibe in this track, I love the little choirs and treated vocals.
Meimuna
Been raving about Meimuna before, and the raving don’t stop. Her gorgeous album is just released, and this tender new single is again a fine example of her sweet approach
Zaho de Sagazan
Saw Zaho de Sagazan, French chanson’s new hope (first posted about her in 2022), perform yesterday in Amsterdam. Small venue, about 400 people. And immediatly bougth tickets for her upcoming show in March, in the bigger Paradiso venue (1500 people). Zaho will do a proper European tour in 2025, and I urge you to go. This 24-year old, who told us yesterday that she’d never been in love, made all of us in the Amsterdam Tolhuistuin fall in love with her. With her boomin’ deep voice, with her presence, her 3 fellow musicians (all synths and drums), her smile, her jokes, her struggles with the English language.
But mostly we fell in love with her songs, the intensity, the danceability, the mix of sensitivity and escapism: big beats, big emotions. An extended version of her majestic debut album is about to be released, this is a taster: