Olivier Popincourt sings in English but there’s no mistaking his gallic roots. Love On the Barricades features Gabriela Giacoman, the singer with French Boutik; My Secret Place includes a verse in French and the closing track, Song for Yeu is a smoochy synthesized ode to an island off the Vendée coast of western France.
From the title track onwards, love is in the air even though the romances do not always live up to expectations. In Wire Crossed Lovers a couple reunite unsuccessfully after two years of a digital correspondence during the Covid lockdown. The Road To Recovery, performed by Susanne is a woman’s perspective on getting free of an unfulfilling relationship.
The jazz-tinged pop has echoes of Style Council with nods towards Philly Soul, smouldering French ballads and the classic pop of Burt Bacherach. String arrangements on three tracks were written by Sébastien Souchois.
It all glides along smoothly in the best possible taste although the sophisticated lovesick mood becomes a little cloying at times.
