Her river raves recollections

"A tour de force of French pop eccentricity, adding African rhythms and massed folk vocals to the chanson mix.

François Marry now lives in Bristol but was born in Saintes, on the west coast of France. Listening to his first album, you'd put money on it being a small town: this is lyrical to the point of feyness, charmingly eccentric and has that DIY, only-romantic-poet-in-the-village glamour that makes you think of a Gallic version of The Divine Comedy. The more obvious reference is Serge Gainsbourg, though, not just for the nationality but also for the excellent use of a curious voice and canny co-opting of whatever music takes his fancy. Thus, while much of this is in the theatrical French chanson tradition, 'Remind' brings in a churning Malian guitar figure and 'Do You Do' features chanting by Basque femal vocal group Bost Gehio. On standout track 'Be Water' he puts the lot together, his enigmatic half-spoken lead backed by a sunshiney pop-gospel choir and a rhythm that could be from the Ethiopiques compilation. Bravo, as they say in Saintes. " JAMES MEDD