Mademoiselle K - Jamais La Paix

Author

Anetta Nevin

Published

Friday 11th September

Mademoisellle K have just released their second album Jamais La Paix, which translates into ‘No Peace’, which is a fun, powerful, rhythmic and seductive affair. Inspired by idiots talking on the streets, the green of cucumbers and the changing skies and Gainsburg (as they put it themselves), their sound goes through moments of chaos and noise to reflective sighs, always maintaining their ballsy attitude.

A few of the songs that stand out on the album, amongst the title track Jamais La Paix, are the sultry Maman XY and the sinister Grave. Jamais la paix is a swirling, slowly rising whirlwind affair of a song, with great dynamic shifts between soft verse, loud chorus and the rising bridge. This song is captivating and the onomatopoeic vocal hook gets stuck in your head like toffee to a tree. Closing with the frantic repeat of the hook “JAMAIS LA PAIX!” the song ends on a climax.

The album then drifts into Maman XY, which compliments the feel of Jamais La Paix well, contrasting the frantic maelstrom with a delicate affair. In Maman XY, Mademoiselle K sounds like she is singing just for you, as her delicate voice sings softly over a gentle guitar driven melody.

With a scream the record takes a sinister turn into Grave. Which seems to be about leading someone (an idiot? a dancer? An uptight, self-conscious loser? A lover? All of the above? I’m not sure) down into a cellar, mugging them, and sending them six feet under. The feel of this song is surprisingly upbeat given the matter embraced within it.

What makes this band’s sound so great is that they can display frantic and pop moments, to flow into slow, seductive and sultry ballads and both display extremes of emotion in music with passion and conviction. With an attitude that just begs you to raise your hands and dance around in your underpants, wherever you are. In conclusion, the French make some pretty cool things including Jamais La Paix, croissants, Serge Gainsborough, Berets, and Baguettes.