Selective Listening | The best of 2024

No one is required to do the impossible, but our journalist still managed to do it: choosing his five favorite albums of the year that is ending.

For the rest of the world

The King, the Rose and the Lou[p], Lou-Adriane Cassidy, Ariane Roy et Thierry Larose

How can an album recorded in front of a live audience be one of the best of the year? Because it bears witness to the emergence of three brilliant and free artists, Lou-Adriane Cassidy, Ariane Roy and Thierry Larose. Because the songs that appear there, from albums that were all released less than five years ago, form a solid, poetic and current repertoire. And because the show The King, the Rose and the Lou[p] will be epoch-making, as much for its feverish energy as for its relevance, and that a trace had to remain. “Long live Quebec Music” has become the leitmotif of the trio of friends, who carry a torch that we thought was extinguished, and who give us confidence in the future… because they are part of it.

Explosive and irresistible

Turn our lives away, Rau_Ze

Every year, a multitude of good debut albums are released. Why do some stand out from the crowd? There is no recipe, but it is clear that Félix Paul and Rose Perron possess this mixture of indefinable charisma and certain talent which allowed them to break through the wall of indifference. Turn our lives aroundwho won the very first Félix in the history of the ADISQ in November in the R & B, soul and gospel category, is a mixture of R & B, jazz and hip-hop spirit: Rau_Ze is a creative duo, but also a group of musical friends united since CEGEP. Dense, catchy from start to finish and carried by the exceptional voice and presence of Rose Perron, this first album is simply explosive, brilliant and irresistible.

Above the fray

Hit Me Hard And SoftBillie Eilish

With this sumptuous and daring third album, Billie Eilish shows that at just 23 years old, she is one of the most interesting artists of the moment. In full possession of her means, always in team with her brother, the singer-songwriter explores and does as she pleases, which does not prevent her from attracting 100 million monthly listeners on Spotify! But beyond the numbers, when listening to his incredible voice, we feel real sincerity, deep emotion and an authentic artistic identity. If only for the tour de force of The love of my lifewith its astonishing break in tone in the last part, Hit Me Hard And Soft stands far above the fray.

Unspeakable beauty

Cardinal, With no helmet

Eight years have passed since the previous album Avec pas d'casque. It's long, so much so that one might have believed that singer-filmmaker Stéphane Lafleur, too busy with his film projects, had abandoned the song forever. Fortunately that is not the case and that he has found his three musical companions, just to remind us how essential this group is. Stéphane Lafleur surpasses himself here with stripped-down, one could even say naked, texts and poetic images that hit the mark every time. A rare quality of writing, without show off, highlighted by the lulling melodies and the delicate folk coating. Cardinal may be a slow album, but it keeps you warm and captivates with its indescribable beauty.

Life according to Clara Luciani

My blood, Clara Luciani

After Heartsan openly light and danceable post-pandemic album, Clara Luciani proves that she has depth. The French singer-songwriter returned this fall with My blooda more introspective and very personal work, inspired by her new baby. Clara Luciani talks in particular about life passing and the importance of connections, mental load (yes, yes!) and her beginnings in music. If the singer has abandoned the disco glitter for a more classic and timeless coating, she has not lost her sense of catchy melody, and is one of the great figures of French popular song, in the tradition of Michel Berger and others Françoise Hardy.

Check out our playlist on Spotify