Although credited solely to Charlotte, ‘IRM’ was recorded in collaboration with Beck to the extent that he would flesh out lyric ideas and has composed all the music.
The album’s title, and its theme, is taken from the many MRI scans (IRM being the abbreviation in French) Charlotte endured after a waterskiing accident. The sound of the MRI even makes its way into the music in a surprisingly effective and listenable way (it’s not the prettiest of sounds when heard in isolation).
There are also the more melodic and expectedly Gainsbourg-ian songs that ensures a true mix between these two musicians, making ‘IRM’ a triumph for both.
8/10
Words by Nick Annan