Twenty years after his debut, French songster
CharlElie updated his sound by looking to the new wave of post-millennium pop; in the liner notes, he name-checks the Eels, Tricky, Orb, and
Ben Harper. The result is one of
CharlElie's best albums since the early '80s -- a brilliant set of twisted songcraft that balances dark, sampladelic electronic soundscapes with upfront melodies and aggressive, confident vocals. Highlights include "Je L'aime Quand Elle S'aime" and "Les Idées Contraires."