Record Review: Coeur de Pirate – Blonde

Coeur de Pirate’s Blonde is a lot of things. It’s soft, exotic strings accompanied by passionate lyrics. It’s knee bopping beats and Montrealer Beatrice Martin’s greatest exploit. There are obvious hints of influence from Martin’s side project with Bedouin Soundclash frontman Jay Malinowski, Armistice.

The quirky marichi band infusions on certain songs are tasteful, and fold into the piano, strings, and percussions gracefully, and doesn’t alienate the seductive piano and guitar of songs like Place de la République and Petite Mort. The rolling drum and bass isn’t overwhelming, and the addition of tinkling piano helps hold together the album as a strong and cohesive follow-up album.

The first single off the album, Adieu, is a good introduction to the general direction that Blonde takes. There is a distinctly retro vibe going on, and I love it. I found myself dancing in my seat, loving the departure from the gamine songs featured on her debut album, and the risks she took with this new album.

Beatrice Martin’s voice is innocent, soft, playful, and the juxtaposition of her voice and her mature lyrics are what impressed me the most- her words are personal, and honest. The sprinkling of english words that blend seamlessly into the lyrics aren’t as jarring as I would have imagined them to be- do I find it a bit odd that the Montreal sweetheart references Toronto’s Pearson airport? Yes. Would Montreal’s Pierre-Elliot Trudeau fit in better? No. She went with what worked, she went with what she meant… and I have to give her praise for that. It’s difficult to appeal to both french and english markets, and perhaps her inclusion of these very few english words are just what will help sway the english public into fully embracing Coeur de Pirate.

I get it, you might not understand the lyrics. But don’t let that stop you. The music arrangements are fluttery, romantic, and fun.

I urge you all to fall in love with this album.

It comes out November 7th online and in record stores November 8th.

She’ll be debuting the album November 8th at the Théâtre Rialto in Montreal, November 9th at the Petit Champlain in Québec, and in November 11th in Toronto at the Mod Club (We’ll see you there!).