Note:
If you can read French, go to the French page for additional content.
to
SEARCH this page
FEATURED REVIEW:
|
With her new album, Jennifer Lopez creates a sort of sequel to
This Is Me... Then, released in 2002, which paid tribute to
her lover at the time, Ben Affleck, as well as containing the
timeless hit "Jenny from the Block". It was certainly her reunion
with Affleck in 2021, followed by their wedding in the summer of
2022, that inspired Jennifer to write This Is Me... Now. The
nearly 45-minute album is accompanied by a full-length film
featuring music videos for each of the 13 songs on the record, from
the title track to "Greatest Love Story Never Told", including the
hit "Can't Get Enough". There's also a documentary entitled The
Greatest Love Story Never Told, which borrows its title from a
series of love letters written to Jennifer by Affleck. Unlike the
film, which contains several cameos (Jane Fonda, Post
Malone, etc.), the album is much more sober, with no guests and
entirely focused on the Latin singer. Few tracks stand out, but the
whole remains enjoyable right to the end and is sure to please her
many fans.
Music Video:
« Can’t Get Enough »
|
|
FEATURED NEW
ARTIST:
|
Prelude to Ecstasy is the very first album from these
provocative Londoners, who dabble in baroque pop and indie rock,
with definite influences from Florence + the Machine,
Suede, Roxy Music and David Bowie. Their rapid
ascent is certainly due in large part to an opening slot with the
Rolling Stones in Hyde Park before even releasing a first
single. "Nothing Matters" is a perfect festival anthem, and has
taken the UK charts by storm. The rest of Prelude to Ecstasy
is bold, gothic alternative rock, with memorable melodies,
intelligent romantic lyrics and an assertive theatrical edge. This
is a very interesting debut album from a band that is likely to
stand out in the next few years.
Music Video:
« Nothing Matters » |
½
|
february:
|
After a 35-year career, the Californian trio are still full of
energy, and are back with Saviors, four years after
Father of All.... The band continues in the same slightly
more adult pop punk direction, with a cleaner sound, despite the
trio's characteristic aggressiveness. Their melodies remain as
effective as ever, and a few quality ballads confirm their
versatility. The band doesn't deny its past influences, but Green
Day is still able to make their own songs, their own style.
Billie Joe Armstrong's pop instincts are undeniable, making
Saviors both powerful and unforgettable. Green Day may not offer
an album that will make you forget the classics of the past, but
enough of the 15 songs will make you want to tap your foot or sing
at the top of your lungs. (February 2024 Featured
Review)
Music Videos:
« The American Dream Is Killing Me » -
« Dilemma » -
« One Eyed Bastard » -
« Bobby Sox » |
½
|
Louis-Pierre Bergeron &
Meagan Milatz – Bravura
(2023)
For Bravura, horn player Louis-Pierre Bergeron and pianist
Meagan Milatz draw their inspiration from Beethoven. His
"Sonata for Horn and Piano in F Major, Op. 17" (1800) is the first
true sonata for horn and piano in the history of music and is the
central work on this album. This masterpiece is accompanied by
pieces for natural horn and fortepiano by Vincenzo Righini
(1756-1812), Cipriani Potter (1792-1871), Franz Xaver
Süssmayr (1766-1803) and Nikolaus Freiherr Von Krufft
(1779-1818). Bergeron is the fourth horn of the National Arts
Centre Orchestra, having performed with the OSM,
Orchestre Métropolitain and Orchestre symphonique de
Trois-Rivières. He also collaborates regularly with Les
Violons du Roy. As for Milatz, she is the winner of numerous
competitions and appears as soloist with orchestras across Canada,
including the McGill Symphony Orchestra.
(February 2024 Featured New Artist) |
ATMA Classique
½
|
january:
|
A true progressive and art rock legend, Peter Gabriel finally
presents his first album in 21 years. Each of the 12 tracks on
I/O were released as singles during 2023 in two versions:
Bright and Dark. Gabriel even went on tour before the
album's release. The album therefore features both the Bright
and Dark sides, containing the same 12 tracks. It is in the
context of the album that each song takes on its full meaning, while
there is a certain cohesion between them (despite frequent stylistic
changes). The songs alternate between an atmospheric tendency
reminiscent of the Genesis of the good years, and a more
danceable pop side strongly influenced by the 1980s. In a way, the
album is a logical follow-up to
Up, his last studio album of original songs, released in
2002. On I/O, Gabriel offers music that demands some efforts,
but rewards us greatly with its depth. (January
2024 Featured Review) |
½
|
Zoe Wees is a German adult pop singer with R&B influences. She made
a name for herself around the world with the hit "Control" in 2019,
then later with "Girls Like Us" in 2021, both appearing on this
debut album. Her powerful, touching voice enables her to deliver
emotional ballads and mid-tempo songs that reach right to the heart.
In addition to her first hits, Therapy features her duet with
6LACK, "That's How It Goes", "Lightning", "Daddy's Eyes",
"Don't Give Up", "Third Wheel" and "Hold Me Like You Used To". The
album features no fewer than 20 tracks, totalling almost 60 minutes.
There are a few tracks that are a little less interesting or
repetitive, but the whole proves to be extremely solid, very
effective in showcasing Zoe's talent as a singer.
(January 2024 Featured New Artist)
Music Videos:
« Control » -
« Girls Like Us » -
« That’s How It Goes » -
« Hold Me Like You Used To » -
« Daddy’s Eyes » -
« Lightning » |
½
|
decemBER:
|
When
nominated for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2022,
Dolly Parton initially refused, claiming she wasn't a rock 'n' roll
singer. She finally accepted her induction, promising in return to
produce her first rock album. Since the queen of country music never
does things by halves, here is Rockstar, a double album of 30
rock tracks mixing original songs and covers. On her 49th career
album, the 77-year-old singer, who has lost none of her voice,
performs duets with numerous artists, including Sting on the
excellent "Every Breath You Take", Elton John on "Don't Let
the Sun Go Down on Me" (one of the best on the record), Joan Jett
& the Blackhearts, Ann Wilson (Heart), Rob
Halford (Judas Priest), Steven Tyler (Aerosmith),
Debbie Harry (Blondie), Simon Le Bon (Duran
Duran), Kid Rock, Stevie Nicks, Peter Frampton,
Melissa Etheridge, Pat Benatar, Chris Stapleton,
Miley Cyrus, Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr on
The Beatles' "Let It Be", P!nk and Brandi Carlile
on The Rolling Stones' "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction", and
several others. Many of the covers are far too similar to the
original to be of any real interest, apart from Dolly's unique
voice, which is often the song's only distinguishing feature. She
does, however, cause a surprise on a few occasions, notably when we
hear the first notes of Led Zeppelin's "Stairway to Heaven".
We can only wait for what’s coming next, when she is accompanied by
Lizzo and Sasha Flute, but we won't be bowled over by
her version. Her cover of Prince's "Purple Rain" is also
unexceptional, unaffecting and somewhat pointless. Dolly touches on
blues rock, pop rock and, of course, country rock. The original
songs don't particularly stand out, and often sound like rock songs
from the 1990s. Dolly Parton doesn't take herself too seriously
throughout the album, and you get the feeling that she made this
project to enjoy herself first and foremost. Certainly, with over
140 minutes of music, the whole thing could have been tightened up
quite a bit to keep only the best of it. But Dolly wanted to go all
out with her rock trip, and we can only congratulate her on her
audacity. What's more, it's her biggest career hit on the Billboard
200. (December 2023 Featured Review) |
|
Jung Kook – Golden
Junk Kook is best known as one of the members of the K-pop boy band
BTS. The 26-year-old South Korean singer-songwriter has just
released his debut album, which is distributed worldwide. With
Golden, he proves that he has perhaps the greatest potential of
any member of the band to make a real breakthrough as a solo artist.
His pop music is highly effective, with funky or R&B beats and
unforgettable melodies. And unlike many K-pop artists, he presents
it all in English, which will undoubtedly facilitate his
breakthrough in many world markets. Kook can count on renowned
producers such as BloodPop, Diplo, Andrew Watt
and Cirkut, as well as songwriters like Shawn Mendes
and Ed Sheeran. Also featured are rapper Jack Harlow
on the fun-loving "3D", Major Lazer on the sensual "Closer to
You", DJ Snake on the danceable electronic anthem "Please
Don't Change", and Latto on the chart-topping,
record-breaking "Seven" (the edited version is also included).
Everything is in place to make Jung Kook an international star, who
has nothing to envy Justin Timberlake, Justin Bieber
or Harry Styles. His catchy R&B songs are highly effective,
as is his pleasant voice. Only the more haunting ballads can
sometimes be boring (it's not easy to write good ballads), but the
whole remains solid and no doubt we'll be hearing from Jung Kook for
a long time to come.
(December 2023 Featured New Artist) |
|
novemBER:
|
Kylie is at her best when presenting upbeat, danceable music, and
that's what she delivers on Tension. The first single, "Padam
Padam", starts things off lightly and sets the table for the next 10
tracks, tailor-made for dance floors. The Australian hits the spot
with the title track, "Hold on to Now" and the excellent "10 Out of
10", featuring Oliver Heldens. Tension features some
of her catchiest choruses in a long time, real earworms. Influences
from the 1980s can be heard, but it's mostly the 1990s that serve as
the foundation for Kylie's thoroughly modernized music. Considering
that her career dates to the mid-1980s, it's particularly impressive
to see how well Kylie Minogue manages to keep up with the times. So,
here's another great record from Australia's queen of pop!
(November 2023 Featured Review)
Music Videos:
« Padam Padam » -
« Tension » |
½
|
Rêve –
Saturn Return
Born in Montreal under the name Briannah Donolo, Rêve is now
based in Toronto. Her electronic dance music is tailor-made for both
dance floors and pop radio. "CTRL + ALT + DEL" with Banx & Ranx
helped her become a superstar, as well as earning her a Juno Award
in 2023. "Tongue" and "Whitney" also conquered the pop world, and
all these hits are included on Saturn Return, her debut
full-length album. Also included are the highly effective "Big Boom"
and "Hypersexual". In fact, there are few uninteresting moments to
be found on Saturn Return, which offers quality dance pop
music.
(November 2023 Featured New Artist)
Music Videos:
« CTRL + ALT + DEL » -
« Whitney » -
« Tongue »
|
½
|
After a career spanning more than 20 years, London duo The Kills
finally arrive with their sixth album, seven years after
Ash & Ice, perhaps their weakest. Alison Mosshart and
Jamie Hince's God Games is a great, creative and
varied album. Co-produced with Paul Epworth, the album
presents a rich, highly contemporary sound, in contrast to their
more minimalist reputation. As usual, the explosive duo has no
shortage of drama ("New York"), as well as returning to the past
with a revival of the 1980’s Sunset Strip in Los Angeles (the
apocalyptic love song "103"). The Kills also know how to be more
introspective, as in the trip hop and ambient mix of the title
track. Alison seems to be at the top of her game, demonstrating the
full richness of her voice on several occasions, notably on "Love
and Tenderness" and "Going to Heaven". God Games is their
first album composed mainly with keyboards rather than guitar, a
change that yields brilliant results.
(November 2023) |
½
|
|