Métamorphose
Bernard Lavilliers
French Music - Released November 17, 2023 | Universal Music Division Barclay
ADC
Freeze Corleone
Hip-Hop/Rap - Released September 11, 2023 | MMS CORP
Chroniques d’un cupidon
Slimane
Pop - Released September 1, 2022 | Universal Music Division Capitol Music France
The Terminator (Original Soundtrack Album)
Brad Fiedel
Film Soundtracks - Released February 14, 2020 | Milan Records
Vide Noir
Lord Huron
Alternative & Indie - Released April 20, 2018 | Republic - Suraja
Sous un soleil énorme
Bernard Lavilliers
French Music - Released November 26, 2021 | Universal Music Division Barclay
I Know I Dream: The Orchestral Sessions
Stacey Kent
Vocal Jazz - Released October 19, 2017 | Token Productions
Weltentraum
Michael Wollny
Jazz - Released January 31, 2014 | ACT Music
John Adams: City Noir, Fearful Symmetries & Lola Montez Does the Spider Dance
ORF Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra
Classical - Released April 5, 2024 | Naxos
Les Vieilles Canailles : Le Live
Jacques Dutronc
French Music - Released November 8, 2019 | Parlophone (France)
Bleu noir
Mylène Farmer
French Music - Released November 29, 2010 | Stuffed Monkey
Grand Prix
Benjamin Biolay
French Music - Released June 26, 2020 | Polydor
France's Benjamin Biolay left behind his provocative Buenos Aires cycle after two acclaimed albums, Palermo Hollywood in 2016 and the platinum-certified Volver in 2017). Grand Prix is nostalgic and unquestionably autobiographical. Its title references Formula 1 racing's excitement, drama, heroes, and tragedies. "Grand Prize" artfully contrasts racing with his own life experiences and the sacrifices he's made in pursuit of art. Of course his romantic life plays a major part: Ex-wife Chiara Mastroianni makes two guest appearances, former lover Keren Ann makes another, and current girlfriend, actress Anaïs Demoustier, assists on two others. The younger Biolay loved the Smiths, Happy Mondays, New Order, and the Strokes and he pays homage to them all and more, with a small band, analog synths, complete guitar and drum takes, and live vocals in songs that caress elements of Krautrock, post-punk, Brit-and electro-pop, Euro-disco, chanson, and MPB. Single "Comment Est Ta Peine," with Demoustier, opens with a disco-phonic synth similar to Daft Punk's "Get Lucky." However, the organic drums, sharp, funky guitars, and rigid bassline are adamantly rockist. Biolay's lyrics enquire about his lover's existential pain, contrasting it egotistically and ironically with his own. Mastroianni appears on the poignant yet hooky "Visage Pâle," where Biolay claims with too much protestation that "I have less appetite than sincerity/Love has a price that I can no longer pay…." On "Comme Une Voiture Volée," guitars ring with longing and excitement (think M83!) as drums and swirling synths propel the mix up and out. His lyrics offer only longing: "My heart is like an old engine when you lift the bonnet. You're as beautiful as a stolen car.…" The chanson ballad "Vendredi 12" questions a lost lover's memories while betraying the depths of his own abjection and loneliness. The title track is introduced by a nostalgic organ and distinctly "French rock" dancefloor beat. It's an uptempo elegy for Formula 1 driver Jules Bianchi, who died from his racing injuries at age 24. For "Papillon Noir," with Demoustier, he channels New Order's dancefloor rock beautifully. Again, despite the joy in the mix, his lyrics are resigned to always being in a temporary place when it comes to love: "I am an evening visitor, I am the vestiges of the dark sun/I am the night watchman, I am the bizarre boy...who has nothing to do/I am your only alibi, your temporary libido…." Closer "Interlagos (Saudade)" touches on the 1994 death of Brazilian Formula 1 driver Ayrton Senn, then revels in Biolay's own tears, joys, and small victories; it's a dreamy lament, complete with choirs, strings, and shuffling percussion, elevated by the presence of his daughter Anna (credited as "Bambi") on backing vocals. Ultimately, Grand Prix is Biolay's finest album since 2009's La Superbe, if not his best overall, and is easily his most revealing and vulnerable. No longer the enfant terrible of modern chanson, the singer, songwriter, and producer is now one of France's most evocative -- and necessary -- artists.© Thom Jurek /TiVo
Wave
Patrick Watson
Alternative & Indie - Released October 18, 2019 | Domino Recording Co
Vivre (Parce que - La Collection)
Arno
French Music - Released May 21, 2021 | [PIAS] Le Label
Le pas du chat noir
Anouar Brahem
Jazz - Released August 27, 2002 | ECM