Yearlists (1)

The end is nigh, that’s why we like to round things up. The FS-editors and regular guestposters made up their minds about what they thought were the bestest French albums and/or songs of the year.

Here’s Guuzbourg’s list:

1. Pendentif – Mafia Douce.
It’s retro, yes. But the combination of ‘American beaches and British winds’ worked like a charm. I played this album to death, and I never got bored.

2. Vanessa Paradis – Love Songs.
Of all the Big Stars who released albums in 2013 (Benjamin Biolay, Elodie Frégé, Alizée, Axelle Red), Vanessa took the biscuit. Maybe not as solid as Divinidylle, but Tu vois c’que je vois, Prends garde a moi and even the duets with Biolay (who disappointed with his own album) are very, very good.

3. La Femme – Psycho Tropical Berlin
Twannggg! The debut album of this Parisian collective is a wild, weird and wonderful affair, ranging from an update of the surftastic Sur la planche to synthified Si un jour. It’s not a perfect album (too many songs), but the ideas, the sultry vocals and the energy make up for the flaws.

4. Forêt – Forêt.
What Steve said.

5. De La Jolie Musique – Plein Soleil.
One could think that French music is all about re-vamping old ideas – this top 5 is almost completely retrofied. So what, I say. I fell hard for this update of the exquisite, rich soundtrack music of J-C Vannier and Francois de Roubaix, with some John Barry touches.