Three months after the death of his mother, Françoise Hardy, Thomas Dutronc is releasing “Il n’est jamais trop tard” this Friday. This album, imbued with gypsy jazz and positive vibes, is intended as an ode to lightness and the simple pleasures of life.
With his sixth album, “Il n’est jamais trop tard”, Thomas Dutronc offers a gentle musical escape marked by gypsy jazz sounds. At 51, the artist mixes lightness and depth, like a snub to the passing of time, while subtly evoking the loss of his mother, Françoise Hardy, an icon of the 60s who died last June. “This album tries to talk about music, the things in life that are good for you, the great outdoors, everyday life that can be made more beautiful.”he confides.
An admirer of Django Reinhardt, Dutronc called upon renowned gypsy musicians, such as Stochelo Rosenberg and Rocky Gresset, to enrich his melodies. With lyrics punctuated with rhymes and wordplay: “Playing on the sounds of words is a game and it’s a pleasure”he explains.
The album also addresses deeper topics. The song “P’tits bonheurs”, an ode to simplicity in a world that he considers “more and more violent”, encourages us to savor the small joys of everyday life. Written during the Covid-19 pandemic, this song advocates simple moments of happiness that “brighten up life”.
The discreet mourning of Françoise Hardy
Despite his desire to preserve his private life, Thomas Dutronc cannot avoid mentioning his mother’s influence.My mother made me listen to a lot of things when I was a child… Véronique Sanson, Michel Berger, Eddy Mitchell, Alain Souchon”he recalls. He also emphasizes the importance of the “beautiful chords” that shaped his musical taste.
Despite the challenges, the artist advocates a positive attitude towards life. “It’s never too late”, the album’s eponymous title, encourages us to enjoy every moment, without letting ourselves be overwhelmed by nostalgia. “I always heard, when I was 20, people say: “You’re very lucky to be 20.” It’s true, but we don’t realize it.”he confides.
True to his philosophy of life, Dutronc invites us to cultivate “relaxation” and kindness, particularly through simple gestures, such as smiling at passers-by. “We’re not here to get yelled at! We’re not here to get depressed!” he says, a smirk on his face, dressed in his denim jacket and sporting his famous unruly locks.
Thomas Dutronc Music album singer
