Suavely Parisian, the cover artwork and incredibly choreographed (by Alexander Ekman) music video for Christine and the Queens’ new project-sampling offerings are distinctly worthy of airing on MTV. Many diehards of the nonconforming act have patiently awaited to see if this discography would see expansion, or if new work would drop solely under Chris’ recent moniker of Rahim Redcar, whose exploration of synths honed a more niche vein of the CATQ sound.
On career standout “Bólero (Recomposed),” Chris paid homage to grandiose and poetic lyrical phrasing; with “People, I’ve been sad,” he transcended English grammar’s often confining structure and delivered a haunting bop–especially proven affective in his magnificent A COLORS SHOW live version; now fronting a dual release of ‘Rendez-vous’ in two mother tongues, an inclusive approach the performer has remained dedicated to upholding since 2014’s debut, his bilinguality hurdles barriers.
The track opens with an engulfing blend of live instrumentation and pouncingly programmed percussion. Chris’ delivery is plaintive, but post-chorus ‘doot-da-doos’ soften the blow. The French performed rendition is a worthwhile listen for all audiences, as following the 2:30 mark, his accent’s uvular trill adds much character. Deliciously grubby, electric guitar contrasts in a singular vision with chime tree twinkles–CATQ is introducing sonic palettes he has never quite toyed with before!
The overall result is actually quite reminiscent of the artist’s eighties-flared collaboration with Caroline Polachek and Charli xcx on 2021’s “New Shapes.” On the English companion track, the instrumental remains decisively structured by jazzy piano chords, and the soulful projection is supported by lines like, “Tonight, join the parade From the bluest men to the pearls of the morning mist, and moved, I’ll shelter your heart into my hands.” A hopeful, twee quality is stark, “…let you do all the weird steps that you like,” when remembering the abysses Chris traversed on the significantly Mike Dean produced triple disc, PARANOÏA, ANGELS, TRUE LOVE.
Sold out European shows mark a new chapter for the singer-songwriter, and considering his impact on top-of-the-pop-charts royalty like Madonna in a pivotal era of her own that Staged Haze covered Chris’ role in earlier this year, we can expect world bending album-material to follow suit next Spring.
“Rendez-vous avec toi” / “Rendez-vous in your arms” are out now on all streaming platforms.
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