Formed in 2004, French cover band Nouvelle Vague consists of Marc Collin and Olivier Libaux, along with a host of rotating female vocalists. The band's name translates into English as 'new wave' and into Portuguese as 'bossa nova'; The Telegraph's Joe Muggs noted that the band's decision to "cover songs from the moody UK/US post-punk New Wave era in the delicate Brazilian bossa nova style, with a lashing of insouciant Parisian style, is a stroke of semantic genius".
The concept may register as playful, but the results are sincere, interesting and pleasing enough to take Nouvelle Vague's self-titled debut album seriously. As AllMusic.com's Heather Pares observes, "Nouvelle Vague's best moments are a tribute to how well written the words and melodies of these songs are; that they can withstand, and even thrive in, such different arrangements is no small feat".
My favourite track is their cover of English post-punk band XTC's 1979 hit "Making Plans for Nigel". The song's lyrics allude to the subtle menace of over-controlling helicopter parents who set out to plan out their children's life trajectories (with potentially disastrous results, as the reference to British steel indicates):
"We're only making plans for NigelHe has his future in our British steelWe're only making plans for NigelNigels whole future is as good as sealed
And if young Nigel says he's happyHe must be happyHe must be happyHe must be happy in his world"
Source of lyrics:
Nouvelle Vague's bossa nova spin removes the original song's ironic and satirical undertones, replacing it with a sultry languor that makes the parents' over-zealous intentions even more haunting. Without the post-punk angst that emanates from an emphatic identification with Nigel's predicament, the vocalist seems to be identifying with the parents instead - layering their 'thoughts' with a leisurely, confident and untrouble assurance in the truth of their 'plans'. I image a set of young parents oozing in sophistication, decked in designer garb, sipping tea and sampling hors d'oeuvres at an exclusive club as they jot down every step of Junior's future with a fountain ink pen.
