Christy Puzzle is a Paris, France-based experimental dream pop artist who doesn’t so much produce music but collects sounds as artefacts of life. Her album Les maux des mots (The Evil of Words) was released last year but has only just hit my radar. Here’s my track by track review.

By Graeme Smith

Feature photo by Christine Veauvy

The album opens with its title track. A soft yet substantial electronic arrangement opens things up, setting the scene before Christy’s delicate vocals come in. There’s a deep sense of intimacy to the whole thing, as if Christy is inviting us into her world, her heart, and her mind. It’s an impressive start.

Au creux des roseaux takes the album in a moodier direction. Deep keys meet with jazzy percussion and Christy’s vocals are full of pleading and longing. She sings in English and French but the emotion is universal.

Jour de pluie is rich with a sense of nostalgia. The keys are bright and have a touch of the retro about them. They are the sole accompaniment in the first verse meaning the vocals feel isolated, and with a mix of vulnerability and power. As the track progresses, the instrumental arrangement grows more complex but the vulnerability stays.

Rayer les mentions journeys back even further, with a classical, plucked strings opening. Yet, it remains fresh and modern in its production and its boundary-pushing delivery. It’s another moody one like Au creux des roseaux, and brings undertones of hip hop and RnB.

The album closes with La belle. A gentle, romantic number, it’s the album at perhaps its poppiest with a seductive groove that inspires you to dance (or at least sway from side to side). It’s a beautiful way to round things off and an album highlight.

It’s a shame I’m coming to Christy’s music so late but better late than never. She’s doing something really fresh, interesting and uniquely hers with this collection, and creates a sound in which you can easily get lost. I highly recommend Les maux des mots. You can give it a listen below.