Although Daft Punk may dominate France’s electronic music scene, France boasts a vastly diverse musical landscape. Composers such as Pierre Schaeffer and Pierre Henry created pieces using synthesizers which challenged notions of cultural delineations between progressive rock and popular music.
Early artists such as Pascal Comelade and Richard Pinhas (under their Heldon and Video Listz names, respectively) saw electronic music as an equalizing agent that helped level social hierarchies. Their influence led to acts such as Air and Etienne de Crecy creating groove-heavy styles of French house known as filter house or tekfunk music.
Tellier
Sebastien Tellier has an uncanny talent for writing compelling songs and score cues across musical spectrum. From minimalist series of notes and chords on his 2001 album L’incroyable Verite to dense synthwave machinations of 2008’s Sexuality, Parisian musician Sebastien Tellier can produce stunning compositions across an expansive range of musical styles; his latest offering being A Girl is a Gun soundtrack set.
Tellier stands out in an industry full of overly produced pop and dance music with his earthy sound, featuring his emotive vocals and simple instrumentation which capture the essence of his unique personality and style. His music provides listeners an escape into another realm where language becomes secondary to music’s power.
Tellier is known for writing songs sung in French; however, he also composes English-language tunes for American pop singer Dita Von Teese as well as film scores like Narco and Steak. Additionally, his orchestral pieces possess dramatic tension.
Tellier has earned critical acclaim with his eccentric personality and eclectic writing style, appearing in some of the world’s premier literary journals such as New York Times and Granta. Known for being an original thinker, Tellier is frequently mentioned by Daft Punk and Trent Reznor as a predecessor figure.
His novel L’anomalie was shortlisted for the Prix Goncourt in 2012. This highly engaging and page-turning tale follows a young woman as she finds herself embroiled in an ongoing political uprising; its themes of cultural appropriation, social inequality and racial prejudice make for riveting reading. Unfortunately for translators though, its intricate narrative poses considerable difficulties.
Tellier is fluent in English and has a keen interest in English literature, being inspired by Virginia Woolf and Jean-Paul Sartre among others. In his music he blends elements of French Touch with 80s dance music sounds as well as classic synth film scores influenced by synth-driven film scores; furthermore he is also an active producer and multi-instrumentalist working closely with The Chemical Brothers band as well as fashion designer Marc Jacobs.
Darius
Darius is an up-and-coming French artist renowned for creating music with an upbeat yet relaxing quality, perfect for studying or going out on the town. His eclectic sound fuses various genres together and will take you on an enlightening journey of self-discovery. Darius’ songs such as “Baby I’m Yours” have become global hits and make his unique sound a favourite among listeners worldwide.
Roche Musique is a French record label established by DJ and producer Cezaire, known for making FKJ famous. Their roster of talented artists includes Kartell and Darius; their debut albums have been well received by audiences, providing yet another shining example of French producers at work.
This label boasts an eclectic sound, featuring both groove and electronic music genres. They also host the Source radio station to highlight new releases by their artists; making this an excellent way to discover music you may have never encountered before!
Darius is a French producer hailing from Paris. His style combines elements of both house music and French touch genre. In 2014, Roche Musique released Romance, his debut EP that includes all his signature sounds for an engaging listening experience that leaves you both relaxed and stimulated at the same time. His melodies will remain embedded in your mind for months after listening – his productions for other artists, including remixes for Dua Lipa and Jessie Ware remixes demonstrate this skill perfectly.
French Kiwi Juice
Electronic music scene encompasses an eclectic array of artists and genres, spanning everything from RandB to soft rock. There is something here for every taste in this eclectic lineup; artists in this playlist offer their own distinct combination of sounds that cannot be found elsewhere; these musicians use various instruments including saxophone, piano, guitar bass bass electronic beats while boasting incredible vocalists who blend funk with hard beats to produce memorable performances.
FKJ (Vincent Fenton) has earned himself a stellar reputation within the French music scene. Thanks to two 100% self produced EPs on Soundcloud and his impressive catalogue of tracks, FKJ has established himself as an expert at sophisticatedly smooth electronic music.
French Kiwi Juice, his debut album, showcases his work perfectly. The opening track, “We Ain’t Feeling Time”, begins with whimsical saxophones and vocal samples that blend well together, with subtle guitar strums lying low in the mix; its lyrics reflect his reality as an artist who’s talent is constantly developing and maturing.
FKJ draws inspiration from his idols when creating his music, yet has managed to craft something truly original for himself. By mixing elements of jazz and soul into his soundscape, his songs make for ideal relaxation or party atmosphere – perfect for either relaxing or partying! FKJ stands out among dance-oriented funk and soul producers found throughout France with his mature yet distinct style that sets him apart.
Even though French electronic music artists may not be household names, they still enjoy an impressive following in the underground scene. Their distinctive and eclectic sounds have captured audiences worldwide. Their bold approach to creativity ensures they’ll get people talking – as their music inspires you! Enjoy this playlist for French electronic music artists that will get them dancing or singing along.
FEM
Women have contributed immensely to the advancement of electronic music, yet their stories often go unheard. Many women have battled social stigmas to reach success; nevertheless, they continue to push boundaries within the music industry and influence generations to come – such as new trending French artists who use traditional instruments combined with synthesized sounds for an eclectic playlist that showcases each individual artist’s distinctive musical style.
Cosmic Machine: The Sequel (Because Music), is an impressive compilation that illustrates the breadth and depth of innovation in French electronic music. Among those featured are lesser-known acts like Pascal Comelade, Heldon, Christophe and others who predated more acclaimed musicians at that time – pioneers that laid down groundwork for future artists such as Jean-Michel Jarre and Air; they were part of a cultural movement which combined progressive rock with French counterculture and science fiction elements.
As the genre exploded during the 1980s, its growth was driven by German artists such as Kraftwerk and Depeche Mode. At that time, French bands like Yello, Visage, and Air were also highly influential; their distinct voices and melancholic music often led to comparisons to Depeche Mode from English audiences.
Silly Boy Blue, a French musician on the rise in music circles. Self-described poet and singer Silly Boy Blue creates melancholic yet dreamlike folk electronica music which she calls her signature sound. Her songs address love and loss with melancholy melancholic vibes which has become an inspiration for young girls seeking success in the music business.
LP Giobbi, an Oregon producer and DJ with multiple disciplines under her belt, has quickly made waves in French electronic music circles. A strong advocate of gender equality during production processes, she established FEMMEHOUSE to provide educational resources to women and marginalized groups for music creation. Furthermore, LP has performed at numerous renowned festivals.