As understated as she is skilled, this French musician with a distinctly English flair breaks her long recording hiatus with the release of her third album, a delightful collection of intricately crafted pop nursery rhymes.
Charlotte Marionneau, the singer-songwriter behind Le Volume Courbe, left her native Vendée in the mid-1990s to settle in England, where she quickly found fertile ground for her musical talents.
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Immersing herself in London’s alternative music scene and forming connections with the cream of Anglo-Saxon indie rock, she initially lent her uniquely cracked voice to a single, In My Place (1997), recorded in a duet with Simon Raymonde of Cocteau Twins fame. She then began writing and composing her own music, with notable support from Kevin Shields of My Bloody Valentine, her former partner.
A DIY Spirit
After a lengthy period of gestation, her debut album, I Killed My Best Friend, was released in 2005. Comprising thirteen tracks (almost all in English), and lasting just over 29 minutes, it showcased her tender sensibility within the domain of bedroom pop, created with limited resources yet great care—a true embodiment of the DIY spirit.
A full decade later, her second album, I Wish Dee Dee Ramone Was Here With Me, was released. Featuring eleven tracks (mostly in English as well), it runs nearly 29 minutes and continues to reflect her preference for pop brevity while introducing a slightly more psychedelic hue. Standouts include the title track, a compelling minimalist ballad with a delicious irony, and Le Petit Chevalier, a stunning cover of Nico’s legendary ghostly nursery rhyme sung by her “cursed” son, Ari.
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Exactly ten years later, with the precision of a metronome, Le Volume Courbe returns in the spring of 2025 with her highly anticipated third LP, Planet Ping Pong. Released by Duophonic Super 45s (the Stereolab label), it includes eleven songs, again predominantly in English, four of which were previously featured on the EP Fourteen Years (2020). As concise as her earlier works, just over 30 minutes, this album stands out for its richer production.
Among the sparkling gems on this album are The Moon Song, a catchy moon-themed tune, Two-Love, a lively, playful take on ping-pong (sung in French), Rêve réveiller, a wonderful nebulous lullaby, Mind Contorted, an adorable cover of a languid hit by Daniel Johnston, and Planet Ping Pong, a stunningly melancholic final flight. Noel Gallagher himself contributes guitar on Two-Love and Mind Contorted, which also features the late Terry Hall (on vocals) and his son Theodore (on guitar).
Reaching the pinnacle of her songwriting craft—both minimalist and sophisticated—Charlotte Marionneau evokes a mix of Claudine Longet, The Vaselines, Broadcast, Gastr del Sol, and Sibylle Baier, establishing herself throughout as a masterful pop artisan of irresistible charm.
Planet Ping Pong (Duophonic Super 45s). Release date: May 9, 2025.
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Hi, I’m Tyler from the Decatur Metro team. I help you discover trends and emerging talents in the local music scene.
