Chaleur Humaine

It took a while to introduce Christine and the Queens' self-described "freakpop" to the world. The group's debut album first arrived in 2014 as Chaleur Humaine in frontwoman Heloise Letissier's native France, then it was issued in the United States in 2015 as Christine and the Queens, and finally as a deluxe U.K. edition of Chaleur Humaine in early 2016. The acclaim for the album -- whatever its title -- only grew with each release, and rightfully so: on Chaleur Humaine, Christine and the Queens don't just embrace differences, they see them as beautiful. Within the album's lovely synth pop, there's strangeness and strength; "I'm doing my face with magic marker," Letissier sings on "Christine," a subtly irresistible track with the power of an anthem in the making. A similar independence pulses through the gorgeous "Saint Claude," which depicts the moment of walking away or committing entirely with heart-stopping beauty. As Chaleur Humaine unfolds, Christine reveals herself as less of a disguise and more of a prism for Letissier's distinctive outlook. She addresses her pansexuality throughout the album, subtly on songs like the aforementioned "Christine" and more directly on "Half Ladies" and "iT," a call-and-response track with the Queens where her backing band sings "She's a man now/And there's nothing we can do." This fluidity extends to the ease with which Letissier blends French traditions with contemporary pop, hip-hop, and R&B. She mixes all of the above on "Paradis Perdus," an interpolation of Kanye West's "Heartless" and Christophe's 1973 hit "Les Paradis Perdus," transforming them into something with its own emotive power. Elsewhere, the band balances the urgency of songs such as "Safe and Holy" and gentler moments like "Nuit 17 a 52" with a grace reflecting Letissier's former life as a dancer. Indeed, Christine and the Queens' emotional and musical agility only makes Chaleur Humaine's heartfelt, thoughtful pop that much richer and rewarding. ~ Heather Phares

パリの女性シンガー・ソングライターによるソロ・ユニット。地元では数年前から爆発的な人気だったようだが、2015年にネオン・ゴールド経由でUS進出を果たし、ロードやマドンナも賛辞を送る存在に。本国フランスでは2014年にリリースされ、ヴィクトワールの2部門を受賞したこの初作は、先頃UKチャートでもTOP10入りしたばかりで、いままさに世界中で騒がれているところだ。何しろエレポップにトラップやハウスをクロスさせたクールなサウンドと、抑え気味の歌声の溶け合いが気持ち良く、ロードが絶賛するのもよくわかる。またマドンナが触発されたという"Saint Claude"のMVではマイケル・ジャクソンのようなダンスを見せるが、"Science Fiction"など歌い方にMJっぽさが現れた曲もあり、相当の影響を受けているのだろう。オリジナル以外にも、クリストフ〈失楽園〉にカニエ・ウェスト"Heartless"のコーラスを乗せて再構築したナンバーが話題。発想がいちいち大胆でカッコイイ。
bounce (C)内本順一