By Lauren Arevalo

OUT NOW CHARLOTTE GAINSBOURG “5:55” VICE

I was wondering why the music sounded like an exact combination of Air and the Divine Comedy—then I found out Charlotte Gainsbourg employed Air to compose the music and the Divine Comedy’s Neil Hannon and Jarvis Cocker to write the lyrics, plus Air/Radiohead veteran Nigel Godrich as producer. How spot on I was! Although I am not such a big fan of singers who don’t write their own music, Charlotte Gainsbourg has a unique voice and a shy and lilting French accent. The songs are as highly orchestrated as Air and provide a good backdrop for Charlotte’s apprehensive and reticent vocals. Accessible to those who love French pop or have a penchant for female vocalists—an appropriate listen in time for spring.