Tellier returns with a sixth studio album, his first since 2014. In the meantime, he hasn’t been idle: three soundtracks, in addition to the Mind Gamers project with John Carroll Kirby (Blood Orange, Cypress Hill) and Dan Stricker (Midnight Juggernauts), who also collaborated on this album. And above all, two kids, hence the theme of this new opus.
The tropical flashes of L’Aventura shift here to the much more mundane, pastel hue of, say, dishwashing gloves. Far from being dull or suffocating, Tellier’s portrait of everyday life has all the makings of a celebration, where love takes precedence over monotony.
The serious tone of the first bars of “A ballet”, which opens the album, should not deceive. The dandy’s voice is immediately recognizable, this time wrapped in autotune, as on the whole album. Tellier never does half measures, but jumps headfirst into this process, which suits his offbeat persona. He has surrounded himself with young talents from the electro and hip hop scenes. On the mastering, we find none other than Nk.F, who has worked with a number of French rappers, including PNL.
Tellier’s new album kicks off with a bang, but features a number of more intimate tracks including the poignant “Oui”, the only one in French. It’s an album that flirts with electro-funk, with bass omnipresent, as is Tellier’s inimitable touch. Between the outgoing tracks and the intimate, all comfortably kitsch, the whole provides complex and complete pieces. Like the life it depicts: domestic, domesticated, without complexes but not without craziness.
Tellier displays his characteristic streak of madness with palpable tenderness, working with great talent to give voice to his life and re-enchant ours.
