Vif! is the new (ninth, if I counted correctly) album by Cherbourg’s Francoiz Breut. The first two tasters of the album were VERY good, and the album does not disappoint. FB never sounded so groovy, and early Stereolab seems to be of influence on her music. Which is nice. She sings about the power of nature, of reaching out and touching, the power of smelling. And dancing, I presume. This track really stands out:
French pop band Sale Gamine (Carla Verde is the singer) draw inspiration from disco (Chic!), modern electronics and French 80s pop (remember Gamine?), not unlike L’Imperatrice, De Flore or Angèle. A new EP (7 tracks, or does this count as an album?) ‘Beta’ is just out. Danceable tasters:
You may have heard Dawa Salfati as a guest singer on several electronica- and dub-tracks, her own music is as chill as those tracks, but more folksy, more guitars less beats. The first EP ‘Tabou’ is just out, and her breezy voice is a good fit for the late-sunny music:
Producers Courrier Sud & Corine team up for this cover:
Three tracks you should hear! This subtle discofied song from De Flore’s new EP;
From Bonnie Banane’s great album (part English, part French), this prize and very fun track. Bonnie’s album is on Bandcamp, but I can’t share tracks (odd):
Plus, a very welcome return to a very fine form, this new exciting Juniore track:
New, gorgeous sweet folksy track by Swiss singer Meimuna (Cyrielle Formaz). For this track, she got help from Dutch singer/producer Ella van der Woude, who did a terrific job. Also, check Meimuna’s duet with Gaspard Sommer.
Rap is rarely posted on this blog, not that I don’t enjoy a bit of boom-bap, but usually I choose for the more hushed, sultry and soothing sounds. Soraï is from Montreal, you can tell because she seamlessly raps in both English and French(-Canadian). Her debut album Synesthésies has a colourful, 90s indie hiphop vibe (think Luscious Jackson, Beastie Boys, that scene) which I like a lot, and grew up with. But Soraï adds a lot of personality and (personal) style to her music too. Have a taste:
Also seamlessly in both English and French (sometimes in one song), and very on the beat, is Halo Maud. She doesn’t rap, and though her music is very rhythmic (three drummers!) it’s not hiphop. It’s more psychedelic, magical, wonderous. I love this track;
Two Dutch singers, featured here before, with new tracks. Tess Merlot, as you know, loves the golden years of 60s/70s chanson. Her gorgeous, creamy album Chante La Vie is out now and features this duet with total Dutch vocal hero Ben Cramer:
And Fleur, above, loves the 60s music from France as well, but takes a more jubilant, YeYe-approach. This new single rocks anyone who loves Clothilde, Annie Philippe, early France Gall.
Hotel Particulier is an indie rock(ish) band from Lyon, France. Yes, they’re named after de Serge Gainsbourg-song (on the Melody Nelson album), they say they’re inspired by Jeff Buckley and Radiohead, you can hear that in earlier tracks. This is the new single: