The other day I got an email about year-end lists and my reaction was a mix of “already?” and “indeed, in less than two months it’s Christmas.” Even if we have gotten used to seeing time as a meaningless and elastic concept, these past few years exacerbated this to an extreme. Maybe it’s the amount of effort we’ve been putting into staying afloat; maybe it’s our regular incursions into oblivion and alienation so that reality only hits you like a couple of bricks instead of a ton. But one thing’s for sure: every single festival, concert, music release, and related activity feels like it’s happened both last week and four decades ago.
But this also means that it’s time to start thinking about presents. So along with the usual fresh pépites of French music, here are a couple of vinyl reissues released later this month by amazing Paris-based label We Want Sounds that will make your mélomane friend very happy: one is the first ever vinyl release of Lebanese singer Fairuz’s legendary album Kifak Inta; the other is a reissue of Egyptian titan Abdel Halim Hafez’s Mawood, recorded live in 1971. Both feature new liner notes by Mario Choueiry from Institut Du Monde Arabe.
And now, onto our new omelettes du fromage!
EggS share video for “How It Was Before”
After having released a couple of singles and a Christmas (!) cassette, Paris-based collective EggS is now ready to graduate to the heavyweights category. Proof of that is their debut LP A Glitter Year, out now via Howlin Banana, comprised of 12 fantastic indie/garage tracks and previewed by lead single “How It Was Before.” Check it out above, along with its lilac-tainted video directed by Suzy Cacheux; A Glitter Year is available on digital and vinyl formats via Howlin Banana’s bandcamp.
Cyrille Champagne unveils debut single “Venus Swimmers”
Cyrille Champagne wears many hats: sound engineer, hypnotherapist, professor at the Centre For Research on Modified States of Consciousness, and—last but not least—composer, the Paris-based musician has just unveiled a first single that somehow connects to all these. “Venus Swimmers” oscillates between post-rock and the cinematic universe, transporting us to worlds beyond our imagination. The track is now available on most streaming platforms; an EP is expected soon.
Laure Briard previews new LP with single “Ne Pas Trop Rester Bleue”
The most Brazilian of French singers aka Laure Briard is back with a brand new album: Ne Pas Rester Trop Bleue is due out next February via Midnight Special Records, and is previewed by singles “My Love Is Right” and the title-track whose blue & yellow video you can watch above. Following her trademark psychedelia-meets-yéyé-meets-bossa-nova style, “Ne Pas Trop Rester Bleue” is equal parts nostalgic and au courant. You can pre-order the LP here.
Jorg Feudenfjord announces debut LP
Another excellent premiere, this time for Paris-based Jorg Feudenfjord whose first album Twist’n’Fjord is due out in late November via Les Inveftigations Phoniques. Influenced by the likes of Fat White Family, Connan Mockasin, or Sébastien Tellier, the LP emits a wonderful indie-schizo freshness as exemplified by lead single “Lack Of Groove.” Without surprise, the video is equally wonderfully bizarre. Keep an eye on the label’s site for more info on the upcoming release.
Nhyx releases new single “Samplus”
A super treat for fans of soft nu-disco, eurohouse, and French Touch: Paris-based Nhyx has released a new track called “Samplus” via Pavillonn Records, an instrumental delight filled with loops, violins, and every other magical detail inspired by Nouvelle Vague, the Manga universe, and—of course—early ’00s dance floors. Check it out via the label’s YouTube channel above, and be sure to keep an eye on Nhyx’s Soundcloud.
It wouldn’t be a proper Bonjour Motherfuckers without the usual link to our playlist sampler; see it as a musical Smörgåsbord that will allow you to get even more inspired in your Christmas shopping.
