We’ve picked 12 essential albums and artists for newcomers to French Pop music. Each selection stands as a must-have album in its own right, and together, they represent the best of today’s French singers are doing in the world of Pop.
These are a great introduction to the genre:
Get the stunning debut by the former first lady of France. It’s soft, lyrical, and poetic.
Acoustic Pop perfection from one of today’s top stars. Melodic and upbeat, his debut album is the perfect summer soundtrack.
A compilation of today’s best and brightest young stars covering classic hits. Includes M. Pokora, Tal, Zaz, Corneille, and many more.
The debut, critically claimed album from the quirky but beloved singer and Nouvelle Vague vocalist, Camille.
Christophe Maé
On Trace la Route
A follow-up album as good (if not better) than the first, from one of today’s top stars. His signature style is Acoustic Pop with just a touch of Soul, and his sophomore CD is well worth the import price.
Zaz
Zaz
This bohemian chanteuse took the music world by storm with her breakthrough debut album of Pop and Gypsy Jazz, appealing to fans of both modern and classic styles.
Tal
Le Droit De Rêver
With a fresh voice, infectious energy, and a catchy debut single, Tal grabbed hold of the charts and never let go. This double-platinum debut album spawned a string of radio-friendly hits.
Olivia Ruiz
La Femme Chocolat
Before Zaz, this artist helped usher so-called Nouvelle Chanson — the modern take on classic Chanson Française. If you classic styles with a contemporary twist, then get this French Grammy winning, best-selling album.
Coeur de Pirate
Coeur de Pirate
With her superb debut album, childlike voice and clever piano Pop stylings, this indie darling from the Montreal scene conquered France as well as her native Quebec. Née Beatrice Martin, this artist truly occupies a unique niche in the French music world.
Rose
Rose
This singer-songwriter comes complete with a gentle, husky voice and an acoustic Folk guitar. On her debut, one can hear echoes of Joni Mitchell — and even a little Roberta Flack, according to one astute commenter. There’s more to love than just “La Liste” and “Ciao Bella” here, though those hits are on the album, too.
-M-
Qui de nous deux
A cool weirdo? A one-lettered enigma? Due to shyness, Mathieu Chedid spent most of his career to date performing as his superhero alter ego. He’s got a cooing falsetto and a penchant for Disco-Funk — both of which are reminiscent of Lenny Kravitz. His third album, Qui de nous deux, showed off his mellow side and earned the singer three French Grammys.
Stromae
Racine Carrée
This Belgian singer’s 2010 single “Alors on Danse” was a surprise global Dance hit and an anthem for a recession-struck generation. This follow-up album made him an international superstar. Who else could craft infectious hits out of Congolese Rumba, Cape Verdean Morna, and Tango music? For the past 2 years, he dominated French radio with hits like “Papaoutai”, “Formidable” and “Tous les mêmes,” and kept all eyes on him with his evocative music videos.
How many of these essential French albums do you own? What personal favorites of yours would you add to the list?
I dont know most of these singers, just christophe, coeur de pirate and zaz. wheres stromae? I think hes quite essential.
Hey z, Stromae is here: http://www.frenchmusicblog.com/stromae
He’s great, and his 2nd album was indeed a classic.