Our
favourite Parisian nova-mods are back with a second album! Mais oui!
These
are strange and sad times for those of us living in the UK who feel
in any way European. If being called “citizens of nowhere” by
your own prime minister was not bad enough, the rise of small-minded
nationalism and right-wing radicalisation should give all of us cause
for concern. The current state of politics aside there are things
that give me hope. One is the open-minded globally aware attitude of
our country's youth, which will ultimately save us. The other is
culture. Art, sport, literature and of course music all have a power
to cross borders, change attitudes and minds, lift spirits and make
life fun.
While
politics may be heading towards nativism, music continues to sweep
away the notion of borders. So in the spirit of European integration
I'd like to draw your attention to this new album by French Boutik, a
quartet of unbelievably stylish mods from Paris, who have over the
last few years won over quite a few of us Brits by way of their
previous records and trips across the Channel to play the occasional
gig in the UK. (Though mainly just down south I'm sad to say.)
L'âme
de Paris
is the band's second album, following Front
Pop, their
delightful debut which came out in 2016. Much like the debut, L'âme
de Paris (The
Soul of Paris) mixes sharp mod grooves with indiepop melodies. If
anything it's a more successful statement than its predecessor, with
a sharper focus on songwriting, tighter arrangements and and a
notable growing of confidence and musical sophistication. Neat
instrumental and stylistic flourishes abound, and along with the
switching boy/girl vocals and bi-lingual lyrics mean your interest is
always held even if (like me) your French is a little rusty.
The
bits of the language I do remember allow me to translate a little –
'Loins de Moi' is a song addressed to a former lover, 'Strasbourg St
Denis' laments a changing city, and 'Amis Sur Facebook'.... well take
a guess!
Respect
to band members Gabriela, Zelda, Serge and Jean-Marc for another
mighty fine record, and for flying the flag for culture. We salute
you. L'âme
de Paris
- c'est moderniste! C'est fantastique! c'est French
Boutik!
Clickhere for French Boutik's website.
Clickhere for French Boutik on Facebook.
Clickhere for French Boutik on Twitter.
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