Kitsuné Parisien II

Kitsuné are a label worth watching. In the past, their Maison compilations have hosted the likes of Two Door Cinema Club, and other tasty French treats from Phoenix and Yelle - long before mere mortals spotted their charm and fashionista potential. The Parisien offshoot is even trendier, hosting sultry euro-infused indie with more style than a jauntily angled beret.

‘Kitsuné Parisien II’ has widespread appeal in that, like the label’s other compilations, it is full of uncomplicated, clubby indie tunes. Unless French electro really does get up in your grill, this album is worth at least one listen – even if you do just put it on to impress/seduce a hot European with your hip Paris-minded musical leanings. For those familiar to the Kitsuné family there is more to keep you happy - Air’s Jean-Benoit Dunckel has a track with Lou Hayter of New Young Pony Club, a band famed for ‘Ice Cream’, a song consisting of suggestive yelps of “I can give you what you want.” We’d expect no less from this collaboration, and the sexily named ‘So Long My Love’ is heaving with strange and wonderful tunnel sound effects, ethereal female vocals, and that fun bleeping noise you can get when your phone gets a text whilst it’s too close to the laptop.

‘Angelina’ is, whilst defunct of any deeper meaning, a great dance track. Tracking a young man’s concern because Angelina won’t dance with him, it also commends her on her seins admirables (that’s essentially “nice tits, love” to you and me). It also comes not from the clubs of Paris, but from the sunny climes of Cardiff, and therein perhaps lies it’s main downfall. There’s no denying that things sound about a hundred times more sexy when sung in French. Imagine ‘Safari Disco Club’ in English, complete with a Sheffield growl. Doesn’t work. ‘Voulez-vous coucher avec moi’ translated to English? Nah, didn’t think so.

The weaker spots are not, thankfully restricted to the English attempting to match the French for sex appeal. ‘Tiger Evolution’ is a song that sounds like an Uffie tribute act with added helium. You can’t fault its energy – it’s positively hyperactive- but it’s also instantly forgettable. A few tracks, like About A Girl’s effort, leave a lot to be desired, but then Kitsuné’s primary concern has never seemed to be about lasting appeal. Their compilations are always so on the pulse, so in the moment, that naturally, some of it will be a little throwaway. Dance music with a gaudy, clashing album cover to match doesn’t come much more fun that this. When ‘Kitsuné Parisien II’ gets it right, it showcases the latest, trendsetting electro, and this album is custom-made to be cherry-picked, and then craftily slipped into the next playlist. Reel it out at a house party. Or during ‘coffee at your place’. This album has no hidden agenda other than to party – in fact, it’s up to you what you do with it.