Various artists: Pop Psychédélique review – Hits the nail on the head

Record companies are always on guard for a hook on which to hang a potential hit song or album, but with Pop Psychédélique one has, if you’ll excuse the mixed DIY metaphor, hit the nail on the head.

Blame television shows such as Killing Eve, The Queen’s Gambit and The Serpent for the current interest in a style of music that has been around for decades but of which there are only a few obvious examples. In other words, you can’t put together a collection of French pop songs without including Serge Gainsbourg, Brigitte Bardot, Jacqueline Taieb and Anna Karina, each of whom defines varying levels of 1960s Parisienne cool with, respectively, Requiem Pour un Con, Contact, 7am and Roller Girl.

The smart compilers here, however, add a few much-needed contemporary touches. Amid the chi-chi 1960s tunes are latter-day acts such as Air (Don’t be Light), Stereolab (Cybele’s Reverie), The Liminanas (Migas 2000) and L’Épée (Dreams).

Unexpected inclusions of Jean Jacques-Perrey (an early developer of Moog-influenced pop who collaborated with Air on their Moon Safari album) and Pierre Henry (a pioneer of musique concrete) point to a genuine grasp of the form.

The latter’s Psyché Rock (presented here by Fatboy Slim’s Mexicana-style Malpaso Mix across seven minutes-plus) is an especially “groovy-baby” selection that you don’t hear too often – unless, that is, it’s played by DJs that know their stuff.

[ republicofmusic.net ]