Music

Top 10 Francophone Releases: 2011

by Jean-Étienne Sheehy

2011 was a year. And like years before it, people released albums. And like those other years, we ranked what we thought were the best of the respective genres we cover — Indie/Pop/Rock, Hip Hop, Pop, Metal, Punk, and Electronic.

Top 10 Francophone Tracks: 2011

10. King Bochek – Tes bras sont si long
Ontario native King Bochek makes lo-fi music out of necessity. This might be a good accident as the minimalism of his analog recordings really bring out the songwriting capabilities of King Bochek.

9. L’Équipe – Bat de baseball
L’Équipe is what punk rock should be about  : a couple of power chords, scrappy musicianship, a whole lot of overdrive. Their second EP, «  Déclarer Forfait  » shows off their pop-punk songwriting skills and reminds us that baseball bats might be the solution to any problems. «  Déclarer Forfait  » is available as a free download on Bandcamp.

8. Caracol – Certitudes
In a past life, Caracol used to be one half of Dobacaracol, a world-pop influenced duo. After the band broke up, she threw away the djembes, untied the dreadlocks and released her own folk songs. We had to wait for her second album, «  Blanc Mercredi  », to find her comfortable with her own material. She found her way, somewhere between a melancholic Feist and 60’s influenced pop music.

7. Coeur de Pirate – Adieu
Coeur de Pirate’s debut album was a major hit in Quebec and France and had quite a buzz with music enthusiasts around the country. On «  Blonde  », her second album, she writes on her relationship with her past lovers and her current fans. Taking influences from musicals and traditional pop, Béatrice Martin deserves all the attention she gets.

6. Joseph Edgar – Cri de goéland
This Moncton-native made some great career choices in 2011. On top of moving to Montreal, Acadie Rock legend Joseph Edgar recorded an EP with Joe Gagné (Les Breastfeeders). «  Le Joseph Edgar EP  » marks a return to his rock roots of his old band, Zéro Degrés Celcius. With a new album coming in 2012 and bilingual songs, we can expect a lot from him.

5. Alaclair Ensemble – Intergalactique
This hip hop/electro collective released three free albums this year. After these downloads, we wonder how far will Alaclair Ensemble go to push urban music further in 2012?

4. Vulgaires Machins – Et même si
Punk veterans Vulgaires Machins got rid of the blast beats and power chords on this untitled album. Instead of releasing a greatest hits compilation, the montrealers reworked some songs around their country and folk influences.

3. Galaxie – Piste 1
The stars were perfectly lined up for Galaxie’s third record. Not only the album features Olivier Langevin’s signature production, he also brought onboard Karkwa’s Frank Lamontagne to add subtle synth work. A 2011 Polaris prize shortlist nominee, «  Tigre et Diesel  » might be one of the only great French rock albums.

2. Malajube – Synesthésie
After the progressive rock Polaris shortlister «  Labyrinthes  », French indie rock heroes Malajube recorded «  La Caverne  », a return to their pop roots. This record might not of had the success or deepness of their past album, but their fourth album shows how much these montrealers know how to craft catchy songs.

1. Philippe B – Nocturne #632
In the rest of Canada, Philippe B is one of the best kept secrets. This year, the singer-songwriter released an album made out of samples of classical music. This is only an excuse to give a good listen to «  Variations Fantômes  ». Philippe B is an outstanding songwriter who took cues of Nick Drake, Elliott Smith and Beaudelaire. The result is a haunting breakup album. «  Variations Fantômes  » is the most underestimated francophone release of the year.