Readymade FC
Babilonia

A wonderful early 20th-century French music box. That's how "Cirkus" begins, the opening track of "Babilonia," the latest album by Readymade FC, dated 2006.

Jean Philippe Verdin, a French musician, known as Readymade FC, has a vast experience in the music field, including soundtracks for films and commercials, collaborations with various artists, and remixes of songs by Serge Gainsbourg and Chet Baker. From his experiences as a DJ and remixer, "Bold" was born, Jean Philippe Verdin's first true album, a valid expression of contemporary French electronica. With this "Babilonia," his second long-distance work, the French artist lands a great success, showcasing his talent through pop-folk with a typically French touch.

A voice that sometimes recalls Damon Albarn, accompanied by melodies reminiscent of the discreet elegance of David Sylvian and the magic of fellow countryman Yann Tiersen (especially from the album "Amelie"). Minimal and ancient sounds, with barely hinted strings and piano, that seem to come out of an old gramophone, accompanied by modern touches of electronics. All perfectly arranged in a strictly low-fi style.

Perfect pop songs, sometimes with electronic touches reminiscent of Grandaddy, but more discreet (see "Bare Feet" and "Not"), other times with openings to a certain Anglophone pop infused with folk ("The Last Time"), and other times with nods to the French singer-songwriter tradition ("Cirkus" and "A Fire In The Forest", the latter being a reinterpretation of a David Sylvian song).

If in the tracks previously mentioned Jean Philippe Verdin strives to let his emotions shine through, though somewhat hermetically, in tracks like the acoustic "Time Machine" the focus is more introspective, creating more intimate atmospheres.

The album is enriched by the singing of two illustrious guests. Firstly, the sultry voice of Feist on "Snow Lion", perfectly set on loving jazz cadences rooted in dreamy atmospheres. Then there are the graceful lyrics of Yael Naim in "Slide" and "The Only One", creating a pleasant contrast with the low-fi sounds of "Slide" and a perfect harmony with the retro harmonies of "The Only One".

Ultimately, "Babilonia" is a good album, whose quality is fairly consistent. It is a must-have for those who love pop, especially that "authorial" minimal and intimate pop, vaguely retro, enriched by slight touches of electronics and folkish tendencies.