Nepo-babies, sons and daughters of famed French musicians, we know a thing or two about that. Charlotte Gainsbourg, Lou Diollon, Vanille Clerc, Calypso Valois, they were all featured here. Billie’s dad is Mathieu Chedid, a.k.a. -M-. Her mom’s Céline Bary, who also sings, but mostly acts.
Billie’s first EP was released in January, and features new wave-popsong with a heavy, New Order-like bass. Mostly uptempo. But when she brings it down, it’s just gorgeous:
We’re a year without Françoise Hardy (who passed away June 11th, 2024), and to keep her in mind, production company La Souterraine asked several French artists to cover a Hardy track. The album, Hardie, has an interesing motto: ‘ Qui ose sans se laisser intimider’, ‘Who dares without being intimidated’.
Quite bold, to cover a Hardy song. The best songs on this compilation, in my opinion, are the ones that try to add something new, stay away from the original. Add 80s dance beats to Message Personnel, for example:
I don’t think the goal was to better the song, but to add something personal. That worked.
Most names on this compilation are new to me, ‘cept for Gisèle Pape and Maud Lübeck. The latter covered a song from Hardy’s 2018 album Personne d’autre:
Cool and very catchy new single by the trio from Montréal, with some soul stabs and a whole lotta sultriness. Late night satin sheets soundtrack.
Summer’s just around the corner, so French electropop duo Charlotte Fever (Alexandre & Cassandra) are right on time with this short but effective, 80s inspired track. Haven’t worked out the lyrics just yet, ‘recto verso’ means ‘double sided’ :
‘Nessa and Etienne Daho are at it again! What a cool summer song (about a break-up, of course)
Yes, most songs on this blog are sweet, slow and tender, and sung by husky women. But sometimes, we like to diverge. 5-piece Oh Non make art pop, somewhere between Last Dinner Party and Les Rita Mitsouko. New single Caïman is just out. Singer Diane Helayell (insta here) likes to dress up, calls herself a ‘cantatrice hystérique’ and has a voice that matches that of Catherine Ringer. It’s not all upbeat, loud and catchy, on their EP from 2024 there’s also a sweet, slow and tender song. For a while, at least. Oh non? Oh yeah!
Yes, I’m a fan of Carla Verde, aka Sale Gamine. It’s the colourful lollipop-pop she makes. So catchy. Just don’t call her your baby: