L’2021 was full of good surprises, mainly French-speaking with the albums of Angèle, Clara Luciani, Juliette Armanet, Orelsan, Booba… But 2022 promises to be a grand cru, despite a return to the scene which promises to be difficult. Put on your headphones, here are our top six.
Dark Fishbach
Five years after releasing a thrilling debut album, At your mercy, the singer-songwriter of the Ardennes had somewhat disappeared from the radar. We saw her green gaze on her diaphanous skin in the series Vernon Subutex (adapted from the bestseller by Virginie Despentes) and then nothing. In November, however, Flora Fischbach (“stream with fish” in German) went upstream with “Téléportation” (announcing a new opus), then “Golden Mask”, a naughty and mysterious single where one finds with pleasure very synths. post-1980 and her deep voice that can rise very high (à la Catherine Ringer). His second album will be released in February 2022 and promises to be “Mortal”.
To the health of Stromae
After the phenomenal worldwide success of Square root, quintuple diamond disc released in 2013, Paul Van Haver, alias Stromae, has cracked. A burnout at the top forced him to stop. Young retiree, he devoted himself to his family, his fashion brand and the production of titles for Orelsan, Disiz la Peste, Vitaa… We no longer hoped for it when he announced his comeback with “Santé”. The author of the monstrous hits “Papaoutai”, “Formidable” and “So we dance” rolls the “rs” on this ultra-efficient cumbia pop track, a toast to all those who work when others are celebrating.
Multitude (released on March 4, 2022 at Mosaert / Polydor). On tour from March 2023.
READ ALSOWhy Stromae signed with Universal Music for their comeback
Survivor Peter Doherty
Never bury Peter Doherty, rock’s most terrible offspring. It always resurfaces where you don’t expect it! Dark and destroyed part of the groups The Libertines, Babyshambles and The Puta Madres, cantor of the “perfidious Albion”, actor alongside Charlotte Gainsbourg in Confessions of a child of the century… Installed in Étretat, he composed with Frédéric Lo (Daniel Darc, Alex Beaupain…) an album nourished by the adventures of Arsène Lupine, character of Maurice Leblanc. A dandy known for his crimes and his ability to extricate himself from the most improbable situations… Does that remind you of someone?
Their album should be released in March.
Sexion d’Assaut sets out again
The French rap group, cradle of Black M and Maître Gims, is reforming, twenty years after its birth in 2002 in Paris, and ten years after the release of their Apogee, huge success that took them to the top of the sales charts and concert halls. Disturbed by the dazzling solo careers of its members, the wars of ego, the controversies over their declared homophobia and the quarrels with their label, their third opus, the aptly named The Return of the Kings, has been postponed for a long time, but will finally be released in May. Risky particularity: the disc will only be available in its physical version and can only be found in the merchandising stands of the rooms where the group will perform. Collector.
The Return of the Kings (released May 14 at Wati B).
MC Solaar takes over the microphone
After suddenly reappearing in the top of the charts by reissuing his first four iconic albums, Who sows the wind reaps the tempo (1991), Combat prose (1994), Heavenly (1997) and MC Solaar (1998), not found for nearly twenty years because of a dispute with Universal, Claude MC returned to the studio. At 52, he is recording new songs he hopes to release this year, five years after the success of Geopolitics, certified platinum. Will it prove that it is not “Obsolete”?
READ ALSOPete Doherty sentenced to 3 months suspended and 2 years probation
Finally Beyoncé!
Stop everything! Queen B records new album, six years after the splendid Lemonade. Nourished by the pandemic and Black Lives Matter (which had already inspired the song “Black Parade”), the 40-year-old Texan, wife of Jay Z and world superstar with 185.5 million albums sold (it is one of the most powerful women in the world), has a desire for lightness and joy. That’s good, so are we. It is rumored that this new opus should see the light of day on March 30. What to shake our “Bootylicious”.