Canadian singer Pierre Lapointe released a new album, Dix Chansons Demodées Pour ceux qui ont Le Coeur (10 outdated songs for those with a heart)
The music is French Pop. The album’s songs parallel French classics from the ’60s and ’70s, such as the works of Charles Aznavour, Michel Sardou, and even contemporary artists like Stromae.
The ballads have beautiful music that combines old-fashioned and contemporary French Pop. They feel nostalgic and new simultaneously. Toutes tes idoles has an impressive rhythm like a rollercoaster, reflecting mixed emotions. It parallels Michel Sardou’s singles, Je vais t’aimer (I will love you) and La maladie d’amour (the love disease). Comme les pigeons d’argile has a lovely blend of piano and guitar, reflecting profound sadness. It parallels Francis Cabrel’s Je l’aime à mourir and Johnny Hallyday’s Quelque Chose de Tennessee, with intense piano music instead of the guitar). The piece Les étoiles guident nos âmes has a sweet romantic vibe. It parallels George Michael’s single Kissing a Fool and Le Temps Des Cathédrales (The time of the Cathedrals), performed by Bruno Pelletier. Madame Bonsoir has a remarkably intricate composition with incredible piano. It starts slow and slightly increases to an intense tempo, reminding me of Zaz’s single from the Hugo Movie, Cœur Volant (a flying heart). It ends with a beautiful piano/violin solo. The piece Où iront nos souvenirs ends on a contemplative note. It has a fairytale and dream-world vibe. The music is rhythmic and soft. The violin is lovely to hear in the background and complements the song’s mood. Arrête de Sourire has impressive contemporary beats, with parts that parallel French music from the ’60s and ’70s. It has a Stromae vibe. It blends French pop with Spanish flamenco music.
The semi-fast songs have vibrant, bold compositions. The piece Hymne pour ceux ne s’excusent pas has a fantastic blend of old-fashioned French Pop like Charles Aznavour’s single La Bohème (the bohemian) and Emmenez-moi (Take Me), with a contemporary sound similar to Stromae’s early works. The tune Dans nos veines has incredible piano playing in the background, giving it bold music and dynamic rhythm. The violin also contributes to the song’s romantic intensity. The composition is quite intricate. Le Secret has a fun, fast-paced beat. It parallels the music of Frank Sinatra’s single Girl from Ipanema and Sacha Distel’s version of the same tune (La fille d’Ipanema). There’s an upbeat, cheerful energy. L’amour est une bague has a remarkable fast-paced cello sound. It reminds me of Sacha Distel’s classic hit Scandale dans la famille (a family scandal) and Wilfred Le Bouthillier’s Le Bouffon.
Pierre Lapointe’s voice is soft and dynamic. He sings each song with heart and soul, capturing the nuances of every tune and describing the mixed emotions of various situations—great storytelling.
Pierre Lapointe and his writers did remarkable work writing these songs with poetic depth. The emotions range from sadness to hope and love with a nostalgic effect. He has a bold, unparalleled passion for his singing.
Some pieces describe sadness with profound poetry. The song Toutes tes idoles (All of Your Idols) is heartbreaking and nostalgic—an interesting paradox. It is about remembering famous artists (singers) who have died while reminding us to focus on our priorities in love and life. Comme les pigeons d’argile is a heartbreaking metaphor for declining health. It’s so pure and vulnerable. There’s rich freestyle poetry. Arrête de Sourire (stop smiling) is a sceptical person who bursts someone’s bubble because he feels discouraged. There’s so much heartbreak in this song. Madame Bonsoir (Conversation inattendue avec la mort) (Goodbye madame) is a heartbreaking song about someone having a conversation with death or the angel of death (in this case, a woman). The grief is noticeable and relatable. The main character asks for a chance to say goodbye.
Other tunes cover mixed emotions regarding various life situations. The tune Hymne pour ceux ne s’excusent pas is a bittersweet song about determination through emotional struggles and heartache. It boldly describes the fine line between confidence and arrogance. Où iront nos souvenirs (where will our memories go) ends on a contemplative note with a fairytale-style way of telling the story. It also discusses the questioning about what happens when life ends, with a dream world component. It’s beautiful and heartbreaking at the same time, which is rare to hear. It feels fresh and unique.
The romantic songs in this album are nuanced, covering the joys and heartaches of being in love. Dans nos veines (in our veins) is a beautifully descriptive song with a romantic story. It’s a soulful, heartfelt piece that creates a sense of hope and adventure. The tune Les étoiles guident nos âmes is a beautiful metaphor about love and faith that everything will be okay. Le Secret (the secret) is about living life privately and discreetly. It also covers the common topic, the denial of being in love. There’s an internal paradox /conflict between the mind and heart when expressing one’s love boldly. L’amour est une bague (Love is a ring) tells a dynamic of love feeling intense with dynamic metaphors – it feels exciting and scary. It’s heartfelt, poetically describing how one becomes confused when in love.
The album Dix Chansons Demodées Pour ceux qui ont Le Coeur is available.
