Don’t say I didn’t warn you. Angèle’s debut album Brol was great and I wrote about many of its singles. It turned her into a pop princess, and her new album will only enhance that status. I’m curious what would happen if she’d switch to lyrics in English…

‘Nonante-cinq’ is Walloon for ‘95’, the year of birth of the Belgian singer and songwriter. She turned 26 on 2 December, a week before her sophomore album Nonante-Cinq was scheduled to appear. However, as a last-minute present to her fans, she decided to release the record digitally on her birthday. This obviously caused some stress at her label, for the physical versions (CD and LP) weren’t ready yet. The problem was solved within a week though, even before the intended release date.

This second record is more introspective than its predecessor. It sounds like a public diary, in which she tells about the most important emotions she had in the past three years: sadness, doubt and fear. However, as we’ve come to expect, she packs these themes in colourful songs that appear light-hearted. For non-French-speaking people, anyway.

The long-player’s second track is my favourite song on it. Libre deals with emancipation in the broadest sense. This includes claiming her position and taking revenge of the ones who hurt her. Musically, it’s a seemingly carefree and danceable tune, with a prominent bass line that resembles Tame Impala’s The Less I Know The Better. This would be a great single!

Recommended as well:
Balance Ton Quoi
Tout Oublier (feat. Roméo Elvis)
Je Veux Tes Yeux
La Loi De Murphy

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Werner Schlosser

I’m a music industry watcher and journalist. Worked at a CD club, a record store chain and was editor in chief of an entertainment trade magazine. Have been in the radio business since 1987, producing and presenting shows. Was music director of several stations. Also, I developed the European Border Breakers Chart, Music Moves Europe Talent Chart and ESNS Chart. CEO of Werner Bros. tekst | uitleg.