Conversations about the music of Nino Rota, Angelo Badalementi and Ennio Morricone lead to the sixth album of Bastien Lallemant, this time with help of singer Elisabeth Spettro. The result is very cinematic, atmospheric and in the vein of dark Calexico tunes and the ‘Rome’ album by Danger Mouse, Norah Jones and Daniele Luppi. Here’s a sample:
Apocalypso, the new album by subtle discoqueen Calypso Valois (daughter of Elli & Jacno), is out now. It features this great GREAT chill out dance track, Douce Bouche:
Synthi-pop; France has had a cool string of duo’s providing cold synthetic sounds and sultry vocals back in the 80s (Elli & Jacno, Niagara). Those sounds are still in fashion, also outside of France. HERE is a Spotify playlist (featuring Videoclub, Toboggan, Evergreen, and more). That includes Quebec’s Fleur de Peau, Louis & Elie. There’s a prominent guitar involved, but most of the time the keys rock (and soothe) the songs. Have a listen:
Thanks Steve J for the tip.
The new single by Montreal-based ‘dream pop’ band Grand Eugene features the soothing, sultry vocals of Melyssa Lemieux, solo. This after three singles that were duets – very strong duets, I must stress. This summer-y song is perfect for post-beach drive-time:
Daisy Lambert is the nom de plume of producer/singer Guillaume Lambert. For his new EP, he hooked up with Octave Noir and (see below) Barbara Carlotti for some heavy pop electronics (with soulful horns), and Gainsbourgian vibes.
Italians do it Better, is the name of the label of this single. But Sophie Thibaud proves in this discofied and very Gainsbourgian song, that ze French know a thing or two about making sexy dance music too…
Canadian bilingual band Rosier released the first single from their upcoming album. N’as-tu jamais vu d’oiseaux is a folksy affair, as far as I understand it a childhood memory about chasing birds. Love the vocals, and the build-up. The ‘inspiration’ playlist of Rosier has songs by artists like Bon Iver, Andy Shauf, Feist and (yay!) my favorite Daniel Belanger-song. So, folksy, with slight psychedelic/ethereal sidesteps and gorgeous vocals.
Cool live track:
Ruppert Pupkin (yes, it’s a reference to the movie King of Comedy) is the moniker of Emmanuelle Destremau, an actress/singer who likes folksy music as much as making this kind of darker, 80s influenced new wave. She sings in French & English, more enamoured with her French tracks tho.
DO not Do is a duo, Iskander & Romy, who started making records in 2021. Synthpop, with some prominent guitars. Upbeat, fun pop music. Three recent singles: