Laetitia Sadier - Silencio (CD, Vinyl LP)

Laetitia Sadier is back with her second solo album on Drag City and if you’re into sophisto pop then you’re in the right place! It’s time to run yourself a hot bubble bath, slip into something more comfortable, pour yourself a glass of your favourite beverage, light the real log fire and maybe do some other things which are considered relaxing and indulgent. Ms Sadier is back with a brand new album of dream pop!

Silencio pretty much continues where The Trip left off. There’s no change of direction at all but you get 12 tracks of perfectly crafted lounge inspired orchestral ‘60s French pop to caress your ugly deformed ears. It’s not all sweetness and light though as some of the songs have a baroque maudlin downbeat feel to ‘em. I have to say I prefer her solo stuff to the last few Stereolab albums which went a bit noodly for me (shame ‘cause I used to be obsessed with Stereolab). Her solo songs have a more direct pop approach (ie they’re less noodly and all over the shop) but there’s a definite affinity with some of the earlier Stereolab material. It’s also quite possibly the most French thing you’ll buy this year and that has to be worth something.