Chantal Archambault

One of this Blog's favourite contemporary folk-pop singers, Chantal Archambault has released a new EP, "L'amour ou la soif" ("Love or lust") this week.

"L'amour ou la soif" is Chantal's follow-up to her 2013 album "Les élans" - and features five beautiful, intimate, always melodic pop-tinged folk songs - four new compositions and a new version of "Les ivresses" (a song that originally featured on last year's GAMIQ-nominated album) - all simply constructed with Chantal's soft angelic vocals accompanied primarily by just an acoustic guitar or ukulele - that all share the same effortless charm as their predecessors.

I'd argue that this is Chantal's most consistent work to date. There's a softer and more sensual side on display here - the songs in the main following a seamless progression from "Les élans" more intimate and introverted moments (for example "Les détours","Chambre 16" and "Nin sibicêc"...) 


This is most obvious when listening to the revisited "Les ivresses II" - noticeably darker than the original and which benefits from being stripped back to basics - the sparseness matches the sombre tone - staring at the world through the bottom of a whiskey glass, a failing romance; a recording of legendary American country-blues artist Mississippi John Hurt's playing in the background; trying to recall the exact moment that the smoldering embers of love were extinguished... As the song fades the voices of a church choir, singing and laughing as one, can be heard - whether this signifies hope, a new beginning, or - as Chantal herself explains - she was visiting Costa Rica and through an open church door heard their amazing magical, truthful sound - but which could hint that there's always light at the end of even the most darkest of tunnels...

Both "Nouille story" (which isn't a homage to that Asian culinary staple) and "La muse ou la proie" are both gorgeously crafted songs that ebb and flow quite deliciously; while "Boire à crédit" finds Chantal, her ukulele, lover and Dutch courage seeking solace and strength from one other... 


The EP's closing track "Amour asphalte" illustrates that Chantal can still turn her hand to writing up-beat pop-tinged songs. It's arguably the most up-tempo track showcased, and has that immediate and delicious freshness that is so reminiscent of the poppy-folk "Tomber frêle" from last year's album... 

It's not obvious as to whether "L'amour ou la soif" sees Chantal slowly metamorphosing into a "torch singer" (albeit an up-tempo one) or whether this EP sees the closing of one chapter and a future, new album the opening pages of the next. Either way, it's an EP full of stand-out songs.


If you like your songs to be thoughtful and intelligent, and aren't afraid to get in touch with your feminine side, this is for you...

Chantal Archambault website 
Chantal Archambault on Bandcamp

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