Front Pop is French Boutik’s debut
long player. From the opening bars of Le
Mac, there is a wonderful continental vibe that evokes, in this listener’s mind,
thoughts of the French new wave. Singer Gabriela
croons through the record, backed by some classic mid-sixties style guitar,
bass and drums, courtesy of Serge, Jean-Marc and Zelda. On keys is Oliver Popincourt whose album A
New Dimension In Modern Love is well worth checking out in its own right.
The band have been making music for
a while now, first coming to my attention via their ep Ici Paris back in 2014. The video for that tune is well worth a look,
almost an online guided tour of the French capital. Another ep – Mieux Comme Ca - later and they
were ready to release Front Pop.
There is so much to love about this
record, starting with its title which references the Front Populaire, a key
element in France’s political past. I love
the fact that most of these tunes are sung in French, the standouts for me including
Le Casse, Le Chemise Dechiree and the magnificent Je Regarde Les Tigres. The two tunes sung in English – the instant classic
Hitch A Ride – one of the best love songs of recent Summers – and The Rent are
equally strong.
Not only is the music great. The vinyl album comes in immaculate packaging,
complete with lyrics and a lovely double-sided poster of these sharpest of
young Parisiens. All in all, this record
is a Pop Moderniste classic, destined to acquire legendary status and its own
unique place in the cultural iconography of all things stylist.
Put it on the turntable, let its Gallic charm waft across your world and pretend you're a twenty one year old Antoine Doinel in a Truffaut classic. Front Pop. The perfect soundtrack to this and
any Summer.