Reviews

Once in a while, one of our journalist friends writes a review for one of the latest French albums out. This is where you’ll find these reviews.

Johnny Hallyday – Jamais Seul

By bureau export | Published March 5, 2012

Johnny Hallyday‘s latest album Jamais Seul is the kind of album awaited by the whole country in France. Indeed after serious health problems and multiple rumors of ending his careers, the iconic 68-year-old singer whose music has resonated in the ears of the French for more than 50 years, has become a matter of national interest.

Jamais Seul is a 13-track album proclaiming the return of the Rock legend to his work, with participation of many younger French artists including -M- (Matthieu Chedid). It is now available in the UK. To celebrate his 50th album, Johnny Hallyday will be playing at the Royal Albert Hall in October 2012.

Johnny Hallyday’s official website

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Soko – I Thought I Was An Alien

By bureau export | Published March 5, 2012

At some point in 2009 Soko announced her “death” on Myspace and disappeared for a bit. Turns out she ain’t “dead”, but… just went home, (to paraphrase Men in Black’s Elvis quote there) and has thankfully now returned with ‘I Thought I Was An Alien’ from the album of the same name.

The Bohemian French folkser had charmed the world, and is doing so once more with this release, a sparse, sweet affair with raspy, yet soft, Björk-esque vocals. It is of course embedded in a cotton-wool bag of twee, yet is still utterly charming and earnest in delivery. Be sure to check out the equally as twee video that contains a helping hand from Spike Jonze.

Buy I Thought I Was An Alien

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We Have Band – Where Are Your People?

By bureau export | Published March 5, 2012

The indie/electro crossover is a well-travelled kind of road these days; fortunately, We Have Band travel down this neon-lit party road with a healthy, deft-swagger, that they subsequently succeed in standing out from the chasing, glowstick-hurling pack for the most. ‘Where Are Your People?’ is taken from their 2nd album Ternion, and provides the upbeat antics of which the trio are well known for, whilst gently smearing themselves in a disco-dip.

It’s the subtle touches that raise the interest above simple synth-pop New Order-clone types – as evident in an intro that teutonically nods to Kraftwerk. Arguably it would be nice to have seen more of these bolder moves in the single, though it still remains a tight, well-produced piece of dancefloor bombast.

Buy Ternion

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