Mathis Poulin - Allons de l'Avant
Move for words
Entitling his debut album Allons de l'Avant (“let’s move forward”) yet wearing a vintage look (flat cap, waiscoat) à la Gauvain Sers? This isn’t the least paradox of this talented young man from Blois!
Aged 21 only, he adds up so vast influences and resemblances that he may quickly please a wide audience, old people as well as young.
Think: Vianney, Renan Luce, Bénabar ("Le Jour que Je Déteste"), De Palmas, Volo ("Ça Pique"), Roch Voisine ("Le Roman"), Sinsemilia ("Donnons-Nous la Main"), Portishead ("Les Roses Blanches"), Daniel Balavoine and Claude Nougaro – the last 2 ones being the subjects of covers in his concerts, in which he can count on a cornerstone such as bass player Bruno Ramos.
It goes with lots of words, sometimes jerkily, accelerated, rapped pronounced (MC Solaar is among his influences too), sometimes astute and playing with words ("Marcel Ment", which might be the title of a Zazie song).
Politics come quite often, even if only the assessment when trying to seduce somebody, better avoid politics ("Les Bons Mots"). However, the budding singer doesn’t take a stance about big social issues, confining himself to definite – despite demonstrated – rejection of far right ("La Haine"). At least that’s something!... and already much more than the majority of his colleagues.
A big wind of freshness and liveliness is blowing when this chameleon artist shows up, guitar in hand, hunk, big music culture, and a hint of naivety, must be said. For instance when the history student he was, boasts about geopolitics ("Roméo et Juliette 2.0", agreeably enhanced by the pretty voice of no less pretty Lucile Michaud). But we like this naivety. One more paradox.
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When you look at the album tracks through the prism of their duration, one of them is the exception: "Fais ce qu'il te Plaît", the last one (7:37), stands out from the crowd in many ways. Wanted as a kind of "Stairway to Heaven" in its progression, according to the singer-songwriter himself, it appears more personal, as much in the concerned life period as in its music, and judiciously contrasts with immediacy of the other songs. I can see some Cyril Mokaiesh inside.
In all likelihood, I will soon have explored the majority of the CD, but this song will make me come back to it. If Mathis sets about developing that style thereafter, it looks very promising. -
Allons de l'Avant
Ça Pique
Fais ce qu'il te Plaît -
Le Roman
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The sentence
“J'laisserai pas ce présent à mes enfants” ("Allons de l'Avant")
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himmathispoulin.com (75 Hits)
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...And now, listen!
- www.deezer.com/en/album/299377902 (100 Hits)
- open.spotify.com/album/3kNaaF09MwB5Bb3zH1E2hv (78 Hits)
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TagsMathis Poulin | Bruno Ramos | Cyril Mokaiesh | MC Solaar | Daniel Balavoine | Roch Voisine | Bénabar | Renan Luce | Vianney | De Palmas | politics | lyrics | Volo
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Created24 May 2022
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