Ariane Roy, Thierry Larose, Lou-Adriane Cassidy – Le Roy, la Rose et le Lou (p) (Top Albums 2024)

Taking up the idea, 50 years later, of the cult show-turned-album J’ai vu le loup, le renard et le lion (Charlebois, Vigneault, Leclerc representing three generations), the trio of contemporary Quebec pop’s enlightened avant-garde – Ariane Roy, Thierry Larose and Lou-Adriane Cassidy – put on a most effervescent show in 2024.

Of course, we’re not yet dealing here with the pillars of the temple of Quebec culture, as their illustrious predecessors became over the years, but since this trio chose to join forces in 2022 to offer an anthology of their respective best songs, the praise hasn’t stopped pouring in, and France is holding out its hands to them. Captured in various venues across Quebec, these ten songs – three by each artist – bring to life the jubilant aspect of this show, where rock energy and the festive side are distilled to perfection.

If not the heightened sensitivity of a Lou-Adriane, for example, when she attacks her hit Ça va ça va. With backing vocals and guitar and drum solos sprinkled here and there, you get more of the raw, often very Seventies musical energy of the studio versions. Just close your eyes and you’ll see the jubilant youth of MTELUS singing along last summer, boys and girls alike: Je voudrais me croire amoureuse/Je ne serait plus une fille à porter. The video clip for their theme song, which accompanied the release of this album at the end of May, illustrates the contagious energy of the ten-strong band, particularly through live excerpts and tour moments. In short, a most enthusiastic “capturé vivant”.