French Boutik - Ici Paris

  by Fiona Hutchings

published: 14 / 10 / 2013

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Review

French Boutik are dubbed the Paris-based pop moderniste soul stylists. This new double 7" single or 4 track EP is a follow up to last year’s debut single 'Les Chats de Gouttière'. While the tracks are in some ways a tribute to Paris, the lyrics about greedy landlords and disgruntled employees probably means they won't be snapped up by the tourist information board for use as hold music. Some tracks are in French and others in English though, so I admit freely that is what the press release tells me. The thrill of new vinyl never gets old and this double 7" certainly looks enticing. I'm not wholly sold on the sound though. Not even YouTube footage featuring the keyboard player, or, pardon my French, the clavier,Mad Iky wearing a very fine Madness t-shirt wins me over altogether. The tracks feel a little too smooth, and there isn't a hook to hang on to. 'Ici Paris' meanders along sweetly, 'Pousse Au Crimes' is by turns breathy and shouty. 'Facile' is livened up with some harmonica and 'Kinky Allumette' does put me in mind of Belle and Sebastian in full storytelling mode. I want to love this. French Boutik are achingly hip but there is just something missing.

Track Listing:-

1 Ici Paris
2 Pousse Au Crime
3 Facile
4 Kinky Allumette

Band Links:-

https://twitter.com/frenchboutik
https://www.facebook.com/frenchboutik

Have a Listen:-