Bande A Parte

You may be familiar with Nouvelle Vague’s version of ‘Love Will Tear Us Apart’ from their first album, a bossa nova re-imagining of the doomed classic.

Indeed the band’s name means both New Wave and Bossa Nosa and that is exactly where they lie, giving us smooth, light versions of some unlikely past hits. Comprising French duo Marc Collin and Olivier Libaux and three delightful chantueses, they have taken a novel idea and built a robust catalogue on the premise. This time around we get ‘The Killing Moon’, ‘Blue Monday’, ‘Fade To Grey’ and a version of the Buzzcocks’ ‘Ever Fallen In Love’, which remarkably manages to retain the originals’ urgency while showcasing an accordion. Also of note is their expansion into Caribbean rhythms as on ‘Heart Of Glass’ featuring the smooth glide of new collaborator Gerald Toto’s vocal. An essential part deux to this project’s quirky output.