What's Up In France?

WHAT’S UP

EDDY DE PRETTO, MAGICIAN OF WORDS

IN FRANCE ?

ANGèLE’S FANTASY

Remember that one simple name because she might be the fresher act in pop music for 2018. For the past year, Angèle was already supporting fellow musicians such as Ibeyi or Damso without a single track out. It might have something to do with her brother, the rap sensation Roméo Elvis. But no further help needed from her sibling, Angèle has everything required to become a music sensation herself.

The wise adage «Don’t judge a book by its cover» particularly resonates when it comes to Eddy De Pretto. Do not draw any conclusion based on his retro rapper looks or his relative shyness. He is exactly everything but that!

Eddy De Pretto is a contemporary poet, juggling with rhymes only to bring onto the lights the social and ethical matters of his time. His words are rough, cutting –as in the hip-hop he’s been listening to since he was a child- but brought together in a melodic composition –as iconic Jacques Brel or Edith Piaf knew how to, a legacy of his parents’ playlist. These two universes -at home and out- «rarely met» according to Eddy, but he drew inspiration from both to shape his music in a virtuose way. His debut EP «Kid», released in October 2017, doesn’t lie in any genre. Its sound is smooth and bouncy, mostly built numerically on his Iphone. There, Eddy talks sex, debauchery, social pressure, sexism or clichés. And in his mouth, the most virulent words just sound true, never vulgar, thanks to a charisma and elegance that seem ageless. His presence is disturbing and hypnotic, powerful and theatrical.

While there’s no taboo in his tracks, the only thing Eddy De Pretto doesn’t want to reveal is his exact birth year. “May 2nd of the 90’s” he says, as if his voice didn’t belong to himself but to his generation, and further, to a whole society questioning more and more of the statu quo that was once considered immuable. When singing, Eddy De Pretto just sends the standards off, with grace and genius!

© dr

Angèle Van Laeken is only 21 and what might be a disadvantage in other fields is gold for her musical journey : she doesn’t take anything too seriously. She studied music in different forms from a young age only to realise she wasn’t going to learn anything crucial from school. And her true salvation came from the internet : «I started singing on Instagram, and it was like a musical coming out.» The way she spontaneously and freely creates melodies or imagery on social media is exactly what defines her universe : poetic, airy, full of self-mockery and terribly catchy. You just have to listen to her ‘frenglish’ single «La Loi de Murphy» -and watch the surrealist video for it- to understand. Pairing with director Charlotte Abramow, also for her latest track «Je veux tes yeux», Angèle is building a delicate yet unique and crazy world around herself. Her debut album may be out by this summer and you should totally get ready for a true gem of irreverent electro-pop.

Murphy said « If anything can go wrong, it will ». Well, Angèle’s career certainly won’t !

© Charlotte Abramow

Foé, the raw and sensiTIVE poet

MAI LAN MAKES US LOSE OUR MINDS ON «AUTOPILOTE»

You might already know Mai Lan for her collaboration with M83, her memorable performances on the stages of Coachella, Glastonbury and the Sziget Festival or even her stylist flair through the brand BezemyMailan. Well, the franco-vietnamese storm has hit again with a second album called « Autopilote » !

Mai Lan signs an explosive cocktail of 13 tracks, as many proofs of her eclectism. As a matter of fact, Mai Lan grew up in a family of artists : her father Christian Chapiron (a.k.a Kiki Picasso) emerged through graphics and painting in the subversive French context of late 70’s and her brother Kim Chapiron is making waves on french cinema since he directed «Sheitan» in 2006. So, Mai Lan swimming through different waters and juggling with many influences is no surprise to us. With the pop, hip-hop, new wave, deep house or psychedelic electro running though her record, we might seriously lose our minds, as she expresses herself in minimalistic and disturbing «Nail Polish» : “I’m hearing voices inside, I wish I could show what it’s like”.

Mai Lan is indeed one person and dozens at the same time. Sensual and hypnotic on « Missile » -with her voice variating on the electric sound of didgeridoo-, angry on «Dial my number», combative and sanguine on « Vampire », highly optimistic on «Blaze Up» but also allowing a glimpse of her softer side on « Haze »... And whatever side of her personality is taking the advantage, she always does it with sincerity, spontaneity and boldness.

As the name of the record announces it, she is never afraid to lose control, though always showing absolute mastery of her tools (voice, lyrics and instruments). Ultimate paradox : the result is as good in English as it is in French.

© Lisa Roze

Name’s Foé. He’s 20 and he’s from Toulouse, in the south of France. He’s a modern poet that you will either love or loathe. Either way, you will not remain indifferent to his poetry at once raw and powerful. Don’t be fooled by the classic piano chord at the beginning of his first single «Bouquet de pleurs», with his heavy and urban voice, the young artist unashamedly reveals and talks about his feelings and life as a young adult in his songs. If classical music and piano are his first loves, songs after songs, Foé has built his first record by using much wider range of instruments, not hesitating to create a synthetic rhythm and give a much more modern twist to his classic touch.

«I grew up with music. I took piano classes at the age of 8, but I already wanted to set free. Later on? I started writing my own music and my own lyrics. Music is my life. It all came so fast, but that’s all I ever wanted so I wouldn’t change it for something else.»

For now the singer already published an EP of four original songs and he’s touring with another one of the most promising french artist : Vianney. Give him a couple of years and his name will be on every lips too!

WORDS by CORALINE BLAISE AND LéNAELLE FONTAINE

© Kevin Abdoul

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