Barbara Carlotti

Barbara Carlotti is a good starting point to discover the French indie-pop scene. Her first EP showcases her way of blending retro 1960s Left Bank leanings and Francoise Hardy-style tristesse with the kind of melodic yet slightly eccentric rock that will be a shoe-in with American college rock audiences. Carlotti condenses the Henry Miller myth on itchy, tense "Anais." She also sings of the artist's lament on "De L'Argent" and nails the feeling of geographic separation on "Tunis." The highlight is "Cannes," where she wittily explores a montage of images from decades of the film festival.