Feelin' French?

After DJing my 10 year high school reunion I began to feel my playlists were frighteningly stuck in the 90's and now quite lackluster in their appeal. And while I do consider myself a music junkie, I tend to go through phases with music overplaying new artists within a month and rarely taking the time to buy new albums for myself.  As the west coast is just starting to ride the Santogold and Vampire Weekend wave, I have OD-ed on these early east coast summer albums and now felt compelled to search overseas for something fresh and exciting enough to buy. I found my new musical zest for life in the genre of French pop and despite the fact I cannot understand one lyrical word, I feel like this new phase could be played out well into the new year or perhaps until I learn to be semi-fluent in French. Here are a few of the top groups in my "Feelin' French" playlist (Click on select song titles below to view YouTube music videos or listen to their myspace music sites):

Loane 

One of the few whose entire album is available on iTunes ($9.99) and well worth buying. Best bets include: Danser and Jamais seule, though the entire album is golden.

Carla Bruni

First heard her Quelqu'un M'a Dit in a yoga class and was struck by the uniqueness of a more bluegrass/acoustic folk sound set to French lyrics...pure sultry silkiness to the ears. All three of her albums are available on iTunes for $9-10 each...her second one entirely in English sans accent but still great...buy them...now...and you're welcome.

Mauss et Charlie

Mauss is more alternative rock than any of these other groups, namely because of the incorporation of drums. I'm actually not so much a fan of Mauss' solo stuff as I am of this great collaboration with gorgeous french female vocalist Charlie in Je recherche.

As In RebekkaMaria

This electro/dance "Queen of France" actually sings in English but sounds like a french fusion of Bjork and the lead singer of the Cranberries. You can actually download the remix of Yours Truly for free through her myspace music site. 

Ridan

Give L'agriculteur a listen. Ridan's sound is straight up French pop and both previous and newer albums are full of classic french melodic winners.

Da Silva

Score another free myspace music download of this French pop artist's Au moment des amours. You may also wanna take a listen to Tout va pour le mieux or the more acoustic L' indecision. Da Silva's newest album, De beaux jours a venir, is also available through iTunes for a mere $8.01.

Zoe Avril

Zoe encompasses elements of the traditional circus-like french folk genre in her sweetly fresh acoustic pop rock.  Try on the playful On ne changera pas le monde for size.