An immensely appealing vocalist, Francoiz Breut and her early albums created some of the most alluring, multi-textured albums in recent memory. Breut's haunting approximation of Marianne Faithfull-by-way-of-Tom Waits is a sure crowd pleaser... Sadly, the slow breakdown of international trade following the 2008 financial crisis and the 2020 pandemic has made it much more difficult to get ahold of her albums here in the States... Hopefully the internet will never break down!
Francoiz Breut "Francoiz Breut" (Lithium Records, 1997)
WOW. One of the most striking, alluring, atmospheric, jazzy, sexy French albums you're likely to hear. If you are looking for a truly enchanting, truly different-sounding record to groove out on, give this a try. Produced along with her boyfriend, Dominique A, this features smoky, Marianne Faithfull-style vocals swathed in a cloak of dreamy, somewhat foreboding arrangements not unlike Marc Ribot-era Tom Waits, or (dare I say it?) the Cowboy Junkies. Highly Recommended.
Francoiz Breut "Vingt A Trente Mille Jours" (Labels/Virgin France, 2000)
Though not as haunting as her last album, this shares much of the same brooding grace that endeared France's most downcast mademoiselle to listeners in the late 1990s. Aided once again by Dominique A, Breut has also enlisted many of France's most illustrious indiepoppers, including folks such as Phillipe Katarine and members of Autour de Lucie. The result is a lighter-sounding album which sheds the murky, mystical gravity of her earlier Tom Waits-y leanings in favor of a muted, slightly xylophonic orchestral pop, ala Tindersticks. Although not as immediately spooky as her first album, this is still powerful and poetic, and will hopefully will draw even more listeners into her orbit. Also highly recommended.
Francoiz Breut "Une Saison Volee" (WEA/Tribu Records, 2005)
Uber-cool and all over the map stylistically, generally speaking this has a harder sound than her earlier albums, and a more mainstream pop-rock feel. A bit of Bjork in there, as well, perhaps? Anyway, this is a listenable, pleasant record, but it doesn't have as much of the mystical, spooky vibe as her earlier albums... Worth checking out, but some fans might be disappointed.
Francoiz Breut & Da Silva "Le Mystere Des Couleurs" (Tout O Tard, 2006)
A children's album, mixing playful musical interludes with spoken word bits. Not surprisingly, her spoken voice is just as soothing as her music vocals. And her diction is quite clear, if you're looking to pick up some French.
Francoiz Breut "À L'Aveuglette" (Le Pop Musik, 2008)
Francoiz Breut "La Chirurgie Des Sentiments" (Caramel Beurre Sale/Le Pop Musik, 2012)
Francoiz Breut "Zoo" (Caramel Beurre Sale, 2016)
Francoiz Breut "Label Pop Sessions" (Microcultures, 2018)
Francoiz Breut "Flux Flou De La Foule" (30 Fevrier, 2021)
Francoiz Breut "Grand Demenagement" (Le Label Dans La Foret , 2022)
Francoiz Breut "Cover Songs In Inferno" (Prohibited Records, 2023)
(Produced by Don Nino & Fabrice Laureau)
Francoiz Breut "Vif!" (62 Records, 2024)
French Music Index
French Rock Albums
