MM, Emma Solal and Ko & Josphine are fresh new artists who released noteworthy EPs recently.
MM is a Liège-based artist (I wouldn’t call her a singer, she speaks more than she sings) who made 8 songs about Marilyn Monroe. That’s about all I know about her. Miam Monster Miam send me the link to her Reverbnation-site, where you can listen to the songs and download A l’hotel for free. In a way, this reminds me of Benjamin Biolay’s concept-album about the Kennedy’s. MM sound intriguing, I see that’s she’s profiled in Serge magazine, I’ll keep you posted on more details when I get my hands on that.
Ko & Joséphine were already profiled in Serge magazine, that’s how I got to know this jolly duo. They hail from Bretagne, Christelle sings 
(and sighs a lot, just the way we like it here, listen to her giggle in ‘Supermarket’), Niko is the music guy. A comparison with Les Rita Mitsouko is easily made, also because Niko & Christelle like to add a lot of 80s influences in their music. See them in action here.
Emma Solal introduced herself by saying that she made an album with help from Pierre Faa, of Peppermoon-fame. That made me sit up straight. Her voice reminds me a little of Barbara Carlotti’s, her songs are rooted in French chanson tradition, from the Brassens-era and the seventies-era, much loved by Pierre. Robe du Soir, written by Pierre, could’ve been a Peppermoon song allright. I chose the jazzy, very sultry Première fois. Are you paying attention, Serge?
MM – A l’hotel
Ko & Josephine – Elle aime le catch
Emma Solal – Premiere fois
Ever since David Bowie ripped off La fille du père Noël for his Jean Genie, Britrockers have a thing for Jacques Dutronc. Miles Kane (singers of The Rascals, one half of The Last Shadow Puppets) confessed his love for Gainsbourg earlier, and now honours Dutronc by covering Le Responsable – in English. But still. It’s on his just-released Come Closer EP and I think it’s a very good version. Close to the original yes, but energetic and fun. See a good live-version here.
