The Gainsbourg-Birkin dynasty is akin to a gift that keeps on giving. Just when it appears to be dormant, another member of the extended family reveals a new role. Lou Doillon, daughter of Jane Birkin and film director Jacques Doillon, is best known as a model and actress. Last September her debut album, Places, was released in France and its belated arrival over here is sure to make a few waves. Hopefully not because of who she is, but due to it being first-rate.
With Places, Doillon is some way ahead of half-sister Charlotte Gainsbourg, whose albums are written by others. All the songs are Doillon’s. There are no writing partners. It’s also not the disaster that Lulu – son of Serge – Gainsbourg’s debut From Gainsbourg to Lulu was. Unusually for a top-tier French album, there are no duets. Places is produced by long-time piece of France’s musical furniture Etienne Daho, a safe pair of hands for an internationally focused (and sounding) album. It’s all in English.
Places begins with the reflective “I.C.U.”, a gently delivered but intense disquisition on obsession. In portraying herself as this close to a stalker in the lyrics, Doillon might be drawing on what she has observed in her own life. Overall, the tone is light, intimate but with a rigid core. Her voice is physically close, yet distracted and distant. “Hushaby” resonates murkily, like third-album Velvet Underground. There’s some country swing (“Make a Sound”), the bounce of Leonard Cohen when he’s not casting himself as a grump, and touches of gospel. The title track is deeply in thrall to Patti Smith’s “Horses”. Despite the nods to America, the melodic arc is recognisably Gallic, as are the choppy acoustic guitars and occasional accordions. The distracting vocal mannerisms which come to the fore live are thankfully absent on the studio version. Instead, there is some needless swearing. Her closest kin music-wise is Keren Ann. Places is a commanding debut.
Watch the video for "I.C.U." from Lou Doillon's Places
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