Heloise Letissier, known as Christine and the Queens, is a French musician who shook up the music scene this year. Her debut was released in France in 2014, but the UK needed to wait until 2016 for Chaleur humaine. The translation of the title would be something like human warmth and it is dedicated to Heloisina’s partner. Her artistic name is inspired by queer scene, which is an agenda in which this singer operates.
For American market, the whole release is translated to English, with two of the songs being replaced with three completely new songs. Christine and the Queens wants to incorporate performativity and multimedia in her work that comes in both audio and visual form. Her performances are highly suggestive in the context of gender identity, as she often appears in men suits. The singer does not limit herself to role-play, but she always aspires to up heave the status quo. The real question is – Does she succeed?
My problem with Christine and the Queens is that there is more theater than music. Chaleur humaine is a pop album, from the first to the very last track. Playing with electronic makes it more synthpop, with every sound being oriented towards commercial. Heloise does not have a particularly pleasurable vocal, so she doesn’t even try to be strong in that area. The songs are suggestive, playful and flirty, without any experimentation. When she sings in French (Saint Claude, Paradis perdus), it sounds more authentic and candid. Although she is solid in English, it just sounds like any other song on the radio.
Duet with Perfume Genius titled Jonathan is simple and effective pop number that is going to become the biggest hit. Titled, the track released as first single, is weaker than Jonathan due to its overproduction and banal electro-pop matrix.
My favorite is Narcissus is Back, in which the singer managed to find a balance between eclectic and commercial tendency. The rest of the record is pretty dull, so I don’t understand why NME landed it on the fourth spot of their 2016 Best albums list. In my opinion, there is nothing here that makes Christine and the Queens stand out. I might have to give her another chance and see her live, as that is her forte.
