ALBUM OF THE WEEK: 5:55 — CHARLOTTE GAINSBOURG (2006)

5:55 was Gainsbourg’s first album since Charlotte for Ever (1968), written by her father Serge and featuring the controverial song, Lemon Incest. I’m very glad that she did eventually come back to music, as her style is so unique, layered, and fascinating.

There are hints of her parents, without coming too close. She has the same soft sensuality of her mother in her breathy singing and delicate pronounciation (although Charlotte grew up only speaking French at home and developed her English accent through language coaching), and the cheekiness of her father (with Night-Time Intermission).

This fusion of French and English extends to the other musicians on the record, with music and writing from Jean-Benoît Dunckel and Nicolas Godin from Air, Jarvis Cocker, and Neil Hannon — all artists who were inspired by Serge Gainsbourg. Charlotte was somewhat doomed to be forever linked to her father, and perhaps also to take the role of muse. I was suprised to find that many of the songs were not written by her, since they feel so vulnerable and full of her personality (although she does write more on her later albums — the lyrics on Rest (2017) are entirely by her, and explore the deaths of her father and her half sister Kate Barry).

Air’s sound is apparent in the rolling piano, shivering drums and twinkling synths, punctuated by languid bass. Gainsbourg’s delicate, whispery voice compliments the sound perfectly, like soft warm rain washing over you.

Her work acting in Lars Von Trier’s gory and sexual films, Antichrist and Nymphomaniac, juxtaposes her delicate and playful music, coming together in an interesting form of sensuality that manages to be both shy and bold, and laced with curiosity.

Similar artists:

Air

PJ Harvey

Cat Power

Étienne Daho

Beck

Ladytron

The Limiñanas

Serge Gainsbourg

Jane Birkin

Originally published 14/01/23 on Medium.