Yelle - Pop-Up

Genre pop Publisher Caroline Records External Links Official Yelle Website

Maybe it's the rapid tempo French lyrics or the goofy sounding melodies, but there is something comical about the new Yelle album Pop-Up. An interesting mixture of pop, dance, and electronica, French singer songwriter Yelle comfortably manages to slam 49 minutes and 12 tracks into her latest release with Caroline Records.

Pop Up sounds like something one expect from a France: it's playful, speedy, and it's retro. Geared towards fans with dance fever, each song is reminiscent of something you think you might have heard before. I can promise however, you've never heard anything quite like this - think Ace of Base and Tony Basil. "Ce Jeu" starts off like an American Hip Hop song until you are greeted by a synthesizer and female vocalist spitting lines like "Fou et telemement evident". As the album goes on you find yourself amused by each track, which fulfills the fundamental purpose of entertainment. "Dans Ta Vrai Vie" was one of my favorite tracks on the album. The only way I can describe her vocal style in this song is coy. Yelle seems to tease you with her sassy French slur. Slashing her way into my head, I found myself smiling. The Chorus is especially catchy and even for those of us who don't speak French (most of Americans), it becomes somewhat memorable.

"Tristesse/Joie" has a very 80s synthetic pop style sound and Yelle does a good job of carrying both the rhythm and melody with her vocals. Also enjoyable was "Les Femmes". This track has a dynamic element because of the way she manages to create a sassy sounding verse against an angelic chorus. This song had me scrambling for English translations, but with little luck. Pop Up also embodies Yelle's sense of sexy American style hip hop quite successfully with tracks like "Tu Es Beau"(You are Beautiful). Although holding her own form, the song is like a Beyonce and Enya sandwich in a French Roll(pun intended).

"Mon Meilluer Ami" and "Jogger" should have the biggest dance appeal, meaning they're probably the biggest hits in dance clubs. The beats in these songs carry the melodies well and Yelle excels at chaperoning the themes with her signature playfulness. She doesn't over due the electronic appeal in these songs with her vocal ensembles, but rather simplifies them with her character. The songs were also cleverly placed towards the end of the CD so that we are not distracted by the uniqueness we hear in the beginning of Pop Up.

Usually not so turned on by music of this nature, I found Yelle's Pop Up to be surprisingly enjoyable. Although you too may find yourself wondering what she is singing about, you will eventually be satisfied with her unique brand of European electro-pop. Pop Up is dance music with a pop twist. Yelle gives it everything it needs to appeal to multitudes of listeners and a signature character that is so often left out of more traditional artists from this genre.