Mylène Farmer
Anamorphosée

THE REVIEW

The anamorphosis par excellence of the past millennium.

This is definitely the most fitting phrase to describe the fourth album by Ms. Mylène Farmer, who in the distant year of 1995 released one of her most distinctive jewels of her career: "Anamorphosée".

Farmer returns to the scene after four years from her multi-awarded "L'autre…" with which she achieved her greatest satisfactions (Désenchantée, Je t'aime mélancolie, Regrets) and earned the nickname of undisputed queen of French pop music of all time. But every rise is followed by a fall… Indeed, after the moment of glory, Mylène has to face some personal problems (the death of Polydor's receptionist killed by an unhinged fan who wanted to meet the singer, the flop of "Giorgino," the first film by her longtime collaborator Laurent Boutonnat disappointed by the interpretation Mylène did in his film…) which will drive her to take refuge in California. Here, joined a few months later by Boutonnat, she will work on the album that will mark her grand return to the French music scene. And the anamorphosis is fully completed in September 1995.

What has changed in Mylène from before: practically everything! A seductive and wild look, a more rock and aggressive sound, a new philosophy of life, but most importantly, a new generation of fans who will replace the old fans who did not accept this anamorphosis. Preceded by the single "XXL," "Anamorphosée" is released in October 1995, instantly ranking number 2 on the French chart (and the following year it will also earn the first place).

There are many surprises: the album opens with "California" the track that presents Farmer's journey in America where her change gradually takes place. "Vertige" showcases the rock sound used by master Boutonnat, and the lyrics explain Mylène's new philosophy: a more open mindset despite the ghosts of the past always being present. In "Mylène s'en fout… " she speaks of Boutonnat's sudden departure due to his film flop. "L'instant X" is the catchiest tune of the tracklist, with its "Papa Noël quand tu descendras du ciel… " that everyone remembers. "Eaunanisme," despite its sweet exotic melody, contains lyrics that at first listen may seem erotic ("… Drop the anchor in me… where your hand touches me… and let this foam drip from my mouth") but actually have a deeper meaning, namely the relationship Mylène has with the elements of nature (in this case with water). In "Et tournoie… " Mylène displays to her audience her two sides, the one she conveys on stage and the more private and mysterious one.

"XXL" is the lead single with hard rock sounds but with a pop undertone, where Farmer describes the world of women (with its pros and cons). "Rêver" is one of the symbols of the singer's career, reprised in every tour for its lyrics that call for tolerance. "Alice" is the most peculiar song on the entire album, with macabre lyrics and a sophisticated sound. With "Comme j'ai mal" Mylène returns to pessimism, recalling some of her hits like "Beyond my control" or "Tristana". In this track that will become the fourth single, the lyrics convey one sole feeling: the desire to commit suicide. In "Tomber 7 fois… ", a soft-rock track, Mylène is aided by the choir of the French high school in Los Angeles, who sing for the entire chorus. It will be the first time Mylène includes children's voices in her song (and she will do so in the future with "Dessine-moi un mouton", "L'amour naissant", "Fuck them all", "Peut-être toi…") ". And finally, there's "Laisse le vent emporter tout," a sweet acoustic ballad revisited in the same manner during the '97 tour.

This is the main anamorphosis of the singer, with which Farmer managed to get closer to a more acceptable music scene for young people (unlike previous albums where we had a more macabre and gloomy Mylène). Despite the new sound and new look, Mylène always retains what made her an icon of French music: the mystery, from which she has never retreated.