It was news to me that Paris has now ceased to exist.
Thankfully, it turns out that the city’s disappearance is only a metaphor. For what exactly, I’m not sure.
A knowledge of the French language would help to interpret the meaning better. As it is, I am left only to immerse myself in the orchestrated pop nostalgia of late 60s Serge Gainsbourg with guest vocalist Isobel Campbell doing a convincingly breathy imitation of Jane Birkin. The stylish trumpet playing of Luc Lagier adds to the dreamy atmosphere.
The four songs are conceived by Jérôme Didelot of the band Orwell. The vehicle here is a project that translates as ‘My Umbrella’.
There are four additional “excursions & versions” including remixes of the title track by Martin Carr of The Boo Radleys and French engineer/producer Yann Arnaud.
Un thème has a makeover by Jah Wobble and this song also appears with Japan’s Sugar Me on vocals.
It’s all très jolie in an elegantly understated way.
