Fanny Bloom

It wasn't without a little trepidation that I approached "Pan," the sophomore solo album from Fanny Bloom. It's fair to say that having been blown away by 2012's universally acclaimed solo debut, "Apprentie guerrière," I was looking forward to hearing more great things from the former La Patère Rose vocalist... But then there was the cameo appearance earlier this year on Montréal rappers Loud Lary Ajust's Cendres, not to mention the degree of consternation that the single "Piscine" caused...

Oh Fanny Grosjean, how could we have ever doubted you?

Wow! After the first spin it's fairly obvious that "Pan" is a totally irresistible pop album... And when the whole package is put together as expertly and seemingly as effortlessly as this, then similar to Grenadine's eponymous and poptastic "Genadine" it is forever going to be one of my (not so) guilty pleasures...

Similarly, just as Grenadine's timeless album borrowed (quite deliciously) from les années soixante Fanny Bloom has created an album that is not only equally as enduring but also one that dips in and out of recent(ish) pop history.

Opening with a simple piano solo, "Blanc" slowly introduces Fanny's distinctive and beguiling vocal harmonies - instrument and voice as one in perfect symmetry - a few soothing bars of pan flute (which given the album's title probably isn't coincidence) - until there's a noticeable raising of the tempo as the song erupts into a glorious chorus of multi-tracked vocals, percussion and keys... After 3'41" it's fairly obvious that this has all the making of a rather special album.  

 The bubbly "Danse" is the most infectious of Europop-infused numbers - teasing us back to the late-eighties / early-nineties - all tell-tale synths and beats (fortunately the temptation to introduce trite English lyrics has been mercifully avoided) and leads neatly into (so my sources tell me) the pop sensation of the Québec summer that was "Piscine." Taken as a standalone song -  the track was a little surprising - here in-context, the track just just works... It's bouncy, frothy, throws in copious Latin rhythms and brass, is incredibly danceable (even for someone as challenged as myself) - in other words - the perfect summer hit!

 
However, it's after "Évidemment" - another upbeat number, resplendent with synths, bright brass, percussion and a plinking piano keyboard - that this album has a completely change of direction and mood - if my copy was on vinyl as opposed to an mp3 download, I'd half-expect to see a huge run-off groove on Side 1 (or Face A as they probably say)... "Sammy, Sammy" sees a welcome reappearance of the pan flute before giving way to piano and guitar as Fanny launches into a heartfelt and powerful ballad, complete with yet another seemingly effortless and immediately catchy chorus and filled with bittersweet refrains. It's an incredibly personal song (apparently named after an ex) and you can sense the emotion in the voice.

"Mélodie" is for the most part a simple two piece composition, just Fanny alone at the piano, sparsely interspersed with light percussion; the song's gentle melody is incredibly relaxing (helped, it has to be said, by the hypnotic - at times child-like - quality of Fanny's ravishing vocals). The introduction of horns and a heavenly chorus of multi-tracked vocals shake, stir and lift this song before Fanny brings everything back down to earth. It's these slower numbers that force you to reflect upon the quality of Fanny Bloom's song-writing and composing skills (the singing part of this holy trinity goes without saying). "Dead birds" and "Il faudra" (the former is actually an unreleased La Patère Rose demo) both fit effortlessly with the structure of this album's more tranquil and trance-like side. And while "Pan" threatens to disturb the tranquility with it's heavily distorted guitar and pounding drums, the soothing pan flute again ensures the zen-like quality of the album's second act isn't disturbed.

The album's closer, "Mémo" is yet another beautifully moving two-piece - a simple piano accompaniment to the most bewitching of vocals, the sound of running water and birdsong add to the air of absolute calm... An inspired finish to a fantastic album.

However, this album's crowning moment has to be "Drama queens" - named after the posthumously published novel by Vickie Gendreau (who tragically died of a brain tumour aged just 24), it's a dark and deeply moving masterpiece and one which I can't even begin to find the words that would do justice to the sheer majesty of this song.

After the uncritical acclaim garnered by "Apprentie guerrière," it was always going to be a tough act to follow. This album dismisses any thought of comparison at a stroke, "Pan" is a totally different projet - it feels like it was never intended to follow in the footsteps of 2012's debut, which as I wrote in Filles Sourires at the time:
 

...I’d go further. ("Apprentie guerrière") is a stake in the ground from an artist who could make a significant contribution in the next few years...

With "Pan" Fanny Bloom more than fulfils this promise. It's an unashamed pop album that amply demonstrates that she is more than capable of turning her hand to dance-floor fillers as she can heart-moving and incredible personal ballads. 

In my review of Grenadine's album earlier this year, I confidently stated that here was an album that easily straddled any language divide. With "Pan," Fanny Bloom can equally claim to have released as good a contemporary pop album as will be released in French (or English) this or any year.

Year-list material people, year-list...  

Fanny Bloom Website
"Pan" (Grosse-Boite), (iTunes)