Emilie Simon - Phoenix
From the ashes to ashes
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2023
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17
Once upon a time there was a young singer
A father who was a sound engineer, a mother who was a hairdresser,
By electronic music swore
She altered her voice with her bionic arm
Two audacious debut albums recognized
Got a Victoire de la Musique prize
When her March of the Penguins OST
Won a César award, she was at her zenith
I let her go a bit when she somehow changed
To an American sound and a diva image
To a too big machine, with katebushization
But I kept for her all my attention
Pop’s never far away and here comes
A nice concept album, plus a matching short
Preceded by "Karma", it’s called Phoenix,
Or Time is never really what it seems
The story of revenge, of reborn Lily
Vlad, Lamia: she defeats her enemies
In six songs, accompanied by a tale
And – the rhyme is so-so – there's also the Earl
The fable is delightful, it is very well told
Connecting the songs one by one, in cold
Different versions from those already heard
They penetrate the skull through this blooming encore
But already, scarcely consumed,
Ignoring a promising tour,
A page is turning, that of this Phoenix,
Beauty continues, she releases Polaris.
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There are 2 parts here. First of all, the 6 songs, standard format, 2 verses 2 choruses, between 3 and 4 minutes – and an extremely elaborate sound. In short, an EP.
Then, time for the story. Divided into chapters, all in alexandrines, said (by Émilie herself) on a discreet appropriate musical background, it is interspersed with the same songs. But quasi-acoustic: piano and undulating choirs reinforce the nocturnal and vampiric atmosphere. And shortened: usually 1 verse 1 chorus, for a duration of about 1 minute 30. (Only "Le Temps est Trompeur" was not repeated.)
In my opinion, the 2 parts could have just as easily been reversed, i.e. listen to the tale first, and only then enjoy the songs.
But I guess it would have been too confusing on the platforms: the Betty Boop from Montpellier is known for her songs, so let’s attack with the songs. I even guess the songs were written first, and then they brought the story, not the opposite. -
Tes Mots
Mon Palais
L'Origine du Mal -
Le Temps est Trompeur
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The sentence
“Sorry honey, you’re not going anywhere” ("Tes Mots")
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her
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...And now, listen!
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Created12 April 2024
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