Summary of French music genres

Vortex Temporum / Vortex of TimeGérard Grisey

Gérard Grisey – Vortex Temporum (w/ score) (for six instruments) (1995)

Spectral music is music created after analyzing the frequencies of sounds on a computer.

Incidentally, the “spectral” in the name refers to analyzing and breaking down light or sound and rearranging its components in order of magnitude.

That can sound rather abstruse, so for starters, think of it simply as “a type of contemporary music that uses computers.” Although this genre originated in France, artists around the world are now creating it.

La Vie En RoseEdith Piaf

La Vie En Rose

Chanson is one of the musical styles that originated in the Middle Ages.

The word “chanson” means “song,” and in most cases it refers to pieces with lyrics.

In France, its definition has varied over the eras, but in Japan it has taken root with nuances like “French songs with lyrics” or “songs with an elegant atmosphere.” In fact, many artists in Japan have created chanson pieces in Japanese.

If you’re interested, try looking them up.

AFRO TRAP Part.7 (La Puissance)MHD

MHD – AFRO TRAP Part.7 (La Puissance)

Afro-trap, to put it simply, is a new style of hip-hop that originated in France.

It’s like a blend of African traditional music and American hip-hop, characterized by tracks that use exotic-sounding beats.

It emerged around 2010, so its history is relatively short, but many classic songs have already come out of the genre.

Incidentally, the name “Afro-trap” is said to have been coined by the French rapper MHD.

Be sure to check out his tracks as well.

DésertÉmilie Simon

Emilie Simon – Désert (Version Française)

Songs that make more use of French pronunciation and a chanson-like tone are called “nouvelle chanson.” It is said to have emerged around the 1990s, and some regard it as a fusion of chanson with other musical genres.

The most common pairing is rock, and many nouvelle chanson tracks have a more pop-leaning feel than traditional chansons.

Also, when combined with electronic music it is referred to as trip hop, and when combined with African music it is sometimes called nouvelle vague.

There are many other subgenres as well, so try looking into them.

L’empire Du Côté ObscurIAM

IAM – L’empire Du Côté Obscur (Clip officiel) [HD]

We call Japanese hip-hop “Japanese hip-hop,” right? In the same way, we call hip-hop from France “French hip-hop.” It’s said that after hip-hop became popular in the United States, more artists in France started producing tracks.

At first, the basic practice was to perform and exchange songs on the streets, but after it began to be featured on the radio in the 1980s, it became a popular music genre.

The unique flow of the French language is also a highlight to listen for.

Infernal Galop / Orpheus in the UnderworldJacques Offenbach

Offenbach – Infernal Galop

Infernal Galop (Orpheus in the Underworld), which is well-loved in Japan as a sports day tune, is actually music in the cancan genre.

The cancan is used for dance performances where women kick their legs high, and it was often enjoyed in venues like restaurants and cafés.

It’s similar to the gallop, but it’s characterized by an even faster tempo and higher leg kicks.

You can find performance videos on YouTube and elsewhere, so be sure to check them out.

AmazoniaGOJIRA

Gojira – Amazonia [OFFICIAL VIDEO]

In recent years, a music genre that has been drawing intense attention worldwide is “French metal.” This refers to heavy metal from France.

Heavy metal bands began to emerge around the 1980s, but for many years none achieved major hits.

However, in the 2000s, Gojira started releasing a string of hit songs, and the French metal scene itself began to gain momentum.

Why not start by checking out Gojira, the act that ignited its popularity?