With her quirky, comical piano stylings and Nouvelle Chanson style, singer-songwriter Jeanne Cherhal has become a force in contemporary French music.
She was recently named a chevalier (knight / dame) by France’s Minister of Culture, and her latest album has her on the short list for a 2015 Victoire de la Musique (French Grammy) for Best Female artist.
This creative musician built her reputation through her enchanting live shows, playing spirited compositions that evoked French chanson and cabaret and memories of the legendary Chanson Françiase singer, Barbara. Some of her more experimental over the years showcase the evident influence of Tori Amos and Björk.
A native of Nantes in West France, Cherhal began studying piano and writing songs at 13. She got a degree in Philosophy, pursued a professional ballet career, and did some acting before turning to music full time. Over the course of five albums, she’s given us everything from traditional vocal performances, to radio hits, to avant-garde Pop.
If you like Edith Piaf and the classic French sound, then I would point you toward the singer’s 2001 debut, self-titled album. It was recorded live and showcases her trademark cheeky persona and rapid-fire lyrics, delivered in the poetic lyrical style associated with Chanson Française.
Cherhal incorporated a rhythm section for the first time and composed some songs that could actually be released as radio singles on her 2004 sophomore effort, Douze Fois par An. Despite some of the tracks having English titles, the album is sung completely in French. Those aforementioned singles included “Un couple normal,” the duet “Je voudrais dormir” with Jacques Higelin, “Le petit voisin,” and the title track.
In 2005, Cherhal took home the Victoire la Musique for Best New Artist.
Download: “Ça sent le sapin,” “Le petit voisin,” “Sad Love Song,” “Super 8,” “Perfect Unknown,” “Je voudrais dormir”
“Le petit voisin” is a good example of the Nouvelle Chanson style she’s been heralded for:
L’eauFor a mix of modern Pop, acoustic piano ballads, and experimental sounds, pick up her third album, L’eau, which she composed on the island of Reunion, near a lake. She chose the title (“Water”) to reflect her surroundings and the musical fluidity she beautifully conveys on the album. Much like Camille and Björk, she stretches and plays with her voice for musical effect.
Download: The whole album
The single “Voila,” was the first song I heard by her. It got stuck in my head, and it’ll get stuck in yours, too.
Charade
To make her avant-garde Pop album, Charade, she spent a year isolated in a studio in Nantes writing and composing the songs. Cherhal plays all the instruments on the album herself.
This is my least favorite album of hers, but I do like her haunting French cover of Arcade Fire’s “My Body Is a Cage.”
Histoire de JThe singer’s latest album Histoire de J is a return to her acoustic piano roots. She performs 70’s-style power piano Pop, recorded in analog to tap into the Carole King vibe. Histoire is a triumph, and it might translate to another Victoire de la Musique. Cherhal is among the pre-nominees for Female Artist of the year for 2015.
One highlight worth mentioning is the track “Quand c’est non, c’est non,” where she’s joined by members of her all-female supergroup, Les Françoises: Olivia Ruiz, Camille, Emily Loizeau, Rosemary Standley, and La Grande Sophie.
Throughout her career, this intelligent artist has remained original and entertaining with each evolution. Much like Camille, I always keep an eye on Cherhal to see what she comes up with next.
Similar Artists: Anais, Amélie-les-crayons, Camille
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