The Big Machine
Emilie Simon
- CD1: 1. Rainbow
- CD1: 2. Dreamland
- CD1: 3. Nothing To Do With You
- CD1: 4. Chinatown
- CD1: 5. Ballad Of The Big MAchine
- CD1: 6. The Cycle
- CD1: 7. Closer
- CD1: 8. The Devil At My Door
- CD1: 9. Rocket To The Moon
- CD1: 10. Fools Like Us
- CD1: 11. The Way I See You
- CD1: 12. This Is Your World
Emilie Simon is a key influential artist in France who has successfully broken into the international music scene, both as a soundtrack composer and as an electronic pop musician.
Simon’s distinctively soft, childlike voice on her songs invites comparisons to early Kate Bush and Bjork.
Her self titled debut album was released in 2003 and won her acclaim as the Best Electronica Album Of The Year in the French equivalent of the Brits.
She announced her arrival internationally by composing the score the 2005 nature documentary March of the Penquins. Her expressive soundtrack won her yet another French award as well as being nominated for a ‘Cesar’ (French Oscar).
‘The Big Machine' is Emilie Simon’s 4th album (following 2006’s ‘Vegetal’) consisting of twelve strong songs mainly sung in English with some French . It was composed, written, arranged and produced by Simon herself. It is clearly more pop-oriented than previous releases and singing in English signals her ambition to increase her world-wide audience.
Released into the French market in the latter part of 2009 the album has been a fixture in the French charts. This is the official UK release of The Big Machine in the UK.
Mojo Review of 'The Big Machine'
France Takes on Bat For Lashes and Florence Welch.
Emilie Simon's previous album, 2006's Vegetal, suggested she might be the electro counterpart of Camille, marrying glitchyness to the organic. Where previously she used her Paris home, for this third studio album the Sorbonne musicology grad has recorded in New York; there are co-writers and other musicians too. The keyboards, arrangements, programming and production are hers though. With the exception of one French verse, this is an all-English language album. The global vision has given The Big Machine a lustrous popiness. Vocals swoop like a supple, perky Kate Bush, Rainbow has the sure-footed drive of Rhianna, the sinuous electro pulse of the single Dreamland is captivating and no memory is less than memorable. It's a crowded market - sonic cousins include our own Natasha Kahn and Florence Welch - but confidence and a strong identity should ensure that Simon thrives.
Kieron Tyler
