Just released, a remix of a Pan-track. Now Evidemment is even more upbeat than in it’s original form. Which is nice
Fanny Bloom
Ariane Moffatt
Ariane Moffatt is one of this blogs favourite artists,although apart from last year’s (wonderful) single “Soleil chaleur” things – at least on the musical front – have been quiet since 2012’s “MA” (although to be fair Ariane and partner Florence Marcil-Denault recently became parents) – but now she’s back – not only with a new single “Debout”, but also a new album “22h22”, scheduled to be released in March.
It’s only January, but I suspect you’ll have to go some to find a better example of dreamy, synth-pop as will be released this year. “Debout” is a stand-out dance-floor filler that brings to mind Fanny Bloom’s “Pan”, and is beautiful and heartfelt song to the power and triumph of love and relationships… Welcome back Ariane!
Fanny Bloom
It’s probably safe to say that your team were filled with just a little trepidation when it came to reviewing Fanny Bloom’s sophomore album “Pan,” the follow-up to 2012’s universally acclaimed “Apprentie guerrière.” Firstly, there was the small matter of the appearance with Montréal rappers Loud Lary Ajust, not to mention the album’s teaser “Piscine.”
Fanny Bloom, we are not worthy…
After just one spin it’s fairly obvious that with “Pan” Fanny Bloom has created is an irresistible pop album which can be divided into two distinct sides. Firstly there’s the dance-floor fillers; “Blanc,” with it’s deceptively simple piano solo, a few soothing bars of pan flute (which given the album’s title probably isn’t coincidence), before erupting into a glorious chorus of multi-tracked vocals, percussion and keys… The Europop infused “Danse,” resplendent with tell-tale synths and beats which leads neatly to the pop sensation of the Québec summer that was “Piscine.”
However, it’s after “Évidemment” – another upbeat number, resplendent with synths, bright brass, percussion and a plinking piano keyboard that the album has a complete change of mood.
“Sammy, Sammy” sees a welcome reappearance of the pan flute before giving way to piano and guitar as Fanny launches into a heartfelt and powerful ballad, complete with yet another seemingly effortless and immediately catchy chorus and filled with bittersweet refrains. From the few interviews I’ve read, this is an incredibly personal song (apparently named after an ex) and you can sense the emotion in the voice. Just as “Blanc” sets the pace for the first part of the album so this song sets the tone for the second part.
“Mélodie” is for the most part a simple two piece composition of voice and piano; the song’s gentle melody is incredibly relaxing (helped, it has to be said, by the hypnotic – at times child-like – quality of Fanny’s ravishing vocals). “Dead birds” and “Il faudra” (the former an unreleased La Patère Rose demo) both fit seamlessly with the structure of this album’s more tranquil and trance-like side. And while “Pan” threatens to disturb the tranquility with it’s heavily distorted guitar and pounding drums, the soothing pan flute again ensures the tranquillity isn’t disturbed. The album’s closer, “Mémo” is yet another beautifully moving two-piece – a simple piano accompaniment to the most bewitching of vocals, the sound of running water and birdsong add to the air of absolute calm… Indeed it’s this album’s slower numbers that force you to reflect upon the quality of Fanny Bloom’s song-writing and composing skills (the singing part of this holy trinity goes without saying).
FANNY BLOOM – DANSE from Laurence Morais (Baz) on Vimeo.
However, this album’s crowning moment has to be “Drama queens” – named after the posthumously published novel by Vickie Gendreau (who tragically died of a brain tumour aged just 24), it’s a dark and deeply moving masterpiece and one which I can’t even begin to find the words that would do justice to the sheer majesty of this song.
With “Pan” Fanny has crafted an unashamed pop album that amply demonstrates that she is more than capable of turning her hand to dance-floor fillers as she can heart moving and incredible personal ballads. In the process she’s provided us with as good a contemporary pop album as will be released in English or French this or any year.
This is nailed-on for a Year-list appearance
Fanny Bloom album
Pan, the new album by kooky Quebecoise Fanny Bloom is out now (see on Bandcamp). To be honest, I’m still a bit shaken by the sheer quality of Salomé Leclerc’s sophomore offering, so no review of FB yet. The first track, tho, sounds good to me:
New Fanny Bloom track
Relax, people. Sure, we were all a bit shaken when our favourite kooky Quebecoise released her fiesta-anthem Piscine just before summer. We didn’t know she could twerk. But on her just-about-to-be-released album ‘Pan’, there’s at least one song that takes it down a notch or three. Listen to Drama Queens – and don’t be fooled by the title.
Fanny Bloom
Fanny Bloom (she of La Patere Rose, she of the synthetically great Apprentie Guerriere solo debut) likes to change her style. Her new single (album’s coming up after summer) is a brass heavy, twerkin’ pool party. What do you think?
UPDATE:
Video-time:
New Fanny Bloom EP
Recorded with a trio, live in the studio. It’s ‘name your price’ on Bandcamp:
Year lists (3)
I’m still in doubt about 2012…If you’d asked me one week ago what kind of year it was in French music, I would have said “hmm”…
Big names fell short, no album really stood out, no song kept ringing around in my head…
But that was last week. When making this list and going through all the music, it turned out 2012 wasn’t that bad. A lot of talent stood out. So no Françoise Hardy, no Berry, No Pauline Croze, no Daphné, no Barbara Carlotti….but instead:
10 Dawn Landes – Mal Habillée
When one of our French girls releases an album with English songs, we regret it most of the time. But when an American girl has the nerve to release an album with only French songs, I go “Yay!”, and give her a special reward by including her in my year list.
Look here.
9 Buridane – Pas Fragile
A few years ago we heard a few songs from this chanteuse. And then silence…. Nothing more from Buridane, until this year, out of the blue there was here album.
Although we don’t agree on the title, obviously…
Check her video for “Badaboum”
8 Céline Ollivier – La Femme À L’éventail
Sweet surprise on #8. Her name was humming around on the internet for some time and there it was, her debut album “La Femme À L’éventail’, by this classical educated chanteuse. Excellent songs, very pure, and very personal. Listen to one of her songs “Au Flore” here.
7 Amélie Veille – Mon Coeur Pour Te Garder
Never heard about her before this album, but it turned out to be her third. Although it was six year since her last one. Yet another Quebecoise in a year list..Video officiel: ici
6 Céline Mastrorelli – Elle Était Une Fois
Guuzbourg wrote: “A favourite past time is to follow the progress of supersweet singer Celine Mastrorelli. She first popped up on our rader in 2008”, and now she fulfilled our expectations with “Elle Était Une Fois”. Look and listen here
5 Sophie Vaillancourt – Histoires De Filles Et De Garçons
When I first heard about this album, I had no expectations at all. It looked “poppy”, she was a former of Star Académie participant, so not really things that would appeal to me.
But then I listened to it and was pleasantly surprised. Poppy, yes, but in a folky way and it all sounds very fresh. Top 5 material!
(couldn’t find a video, but here she is singing at her own release party!
4 Mademoiselle Nineteen – Mademoiselle Nineteen
Almost missed this one in my year list, because it was very early in the year when this one came out. Sparkling sixties sound from a girl from Liege. Year lists are good for replays! Here’s the lovely retro clip of “Quelle importance“.
3 Fanny Bloom – Apprentie guerrière
What a surprise this one! And again an example of the wonderful talented pool of singers from Quebec. Won the prestigious Félix de l’Album alternatif de l’année for his album.
2 Lou Doillon – Places
This should be actually my number one..But since the whole album is in English, it makes it difficult to top the list. Since this album gets better by everytime you listen to it, it must be in in the list. (I.C.U. clip here)
1 Melanie Pain – Bye Bye Manchester
When I gave this album a first listening, I was happy and relieved… Yes, this is the kind of music, the kind of voice and the kind of atmosphere that made me a Fille fan. See her perform the title song live ici!
When it comes to defining one’s beauty, hair is one of the most significant things to put into consideration, for this reason is important that you learn about 10 facts about hair.
Fanny Bloom – Apprentie Guerrière
Back in 2009, La Patère Rose recorded their highly recommended self-titled debut, followed by EP Waikiki in 2010. After that, singer Fanny Bloom (Fanny Grosjean) already announced the end of La Patère Rose and hereby initiated her solo career. A good choice according to her just released solo debut ‘Apprentie Guerrière’.
Fanny grew up. The sometimes somewhat naïve songs of La Patère Rose are replaced by catchy and cheesy synth-pop songs (single Parfait, Parfait) or cheerful Lio-esque tracks like ‘Tes bijoux’. A handful of piano-driven tracks shows her skills for serious melody-rich writing that comes to it’s peak with the stunningly beautiful and emotional ‘Mon Hiver’. A moving song – way too short though – with some weird voice effects in it. Bloom at her absolute best.
Apprentie Guerrière is a mature and diverse album that never fails and finishes with a very intimate title track. Bloom shows with this album that she grew in all facets of her writing, but luckily still has her delightful, hoarse voice on top of it. Some things are good as they are.
So without any doubt, there is this sentence again: Yearlist material people.
Fanny Bloom – Mon Hiver
La Patère Rose – Décapote (so we won’t forget)
Fanny Bloom
Remember quirky Canadian trio La Patère Rose? In 2009, they made the Filles Sourires Album of the Year-list. Alas, they called it quits in 2011. Singer Fanny Bloom recorded a solo album that’s about to drop soon. First single Parfait, Parfait fishes in the same musical pond as Lykke Li and The Dø – 80s synths, fierce drums, soothing voice. Which is nice. Very much looking forward to that album, we love that voice.
You can download the last ever single of La Patere Rose for free here.
Fanny Bloom – Parfait, Parfait