CD Review: Cyrille Aimée, À Fleur de Peau

Cyrille Aimée, the French-born jazz vocalist known for her interpretations of classic songs and gypsy jazz influences, has taken a bold new direction with her latest album, “À Fleur de Peau.” This release marks a significant departure from her previous work, showcasing Aimée not only as a vocalist but as a songwriter and composer in her own right.

“À Fleur de Peau” features ten tracks, eight of which are original compositions by Aimée herself. This shift towards original material represents a new chapter in the artist’s career, offering listeners a more personal and intimate glimpse into her musical vision. The album’s creation is rooted in a deeply personal experience that occurred six years prior to its release, during a trip to Costa Rica. This event sparked the creation of the song “Inside and Out,” which, although recorded shortly after, remained unreleased for years as Aimée grappled with her confidence as a songwriter.

The album’s genesis is intrinsically linked to Aimée’s connection with Costa Rica. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she relocated to land she had purchased in the country and undertook the ambitious project of designing and building a house in the jungle. This creative endeavor served as a catalyst for her songwriting, with the house becoming a metaphorical “baby” that nurtured her artistic growth. As her confidence in her building skills grew, so did her trust in her songwriting abilities.

The production of “À Fleur de Peau” was a collaborative effort between Aimée and New York-based multi-instrumentalist and producer Jake Sherman. Their working method centered around Aimée’s origional scratch recordings, with her voice and either guitar or baritone ukulele serving as the foundation for each track. From there, the duo built layers of arrangement, incorporating Aimée’s trademark vocal improvisations to suggest horn lines, percussion parts, and counter melodies. Sherman then recreated these elements using an array of vintage instruments, resulting in a sound that is both intimate and richly textured.

This approach to production has yielded an album that is diverse in its sonic palette while maintaining a cohesive, personal feel throughout. The collaborative process between Aimée and Sherman has allowed for a seamless integration of Aimée’s raw, emotional vocal performances with Sherman’s instrumental and production expertise.

Aimée’s goal with this album extends beyond her own artistic expression. In the notes that accompanied the album she states, “I want to inspire women to create: with their hands, their wombs, their voices, whatever inspires them.” This sentiment is reflected in the deeply personal nature of the songs and the hands-on approach Aimée took in bringing them to life.

Photo Credit: Noe Cugny

Moving on to the music, the album opens with “Beautiful Way,” a bilingual tribute to New Orleans that showcases Aimée’s creative approach to percussion, incorporating the sound of her biting down on a cracker. The track features a light, soul-infused groove with pop influences and a strong, memorable hook. This opener sets the tone for the album, demonstrating Aimée’s willingness to experiment with the unconventional and her ability to craft catchy, accessible melodies.

“Again Again” preserves the simplicity of Aimée’s original melancholy guitar-based composition. The production on this track is subtle and understated, focusing the listener’s attention on the melody. Backing instrumentation includes gentle percussion and keyboard pads, all layered with a delicate touch that complements rather than overshadows Aimée’s vocal performance.

One of the two non-original tracks on the album, “For the Love of You,” originally by The Isley Brothers, is given a funk-inspired treatment. The arrangement features 80s-inspired keyboard sounds, creating a backdrop that the press release describes as a “gloriously uplifting slice of sophisticated Yacht-Pop.” However, it’s Aimée’s vocal performance that truly stands out on this track, showcasing her ability to interpret and reinvent existing material.

“Inside Out,” the song born from Aimée’s experience in Costa Rica six years prior, is a standout track on the album. It leans towards a pop sensibility reminiscent of Michael Franks’ work in the late 1970s. The song’s arrangement and production highlight Aimée’s growth as a songwriter, successfully blending elements of jazz, pop, and soul into a cohesive and emotionally resonant piece.

“Back to You” explores themes of nostalgia and separation with a Nu-Soul inflection. This track features one of the strongest vocal performances on the album, with Aimée’s voice conveying a depth of emotion that is both raw and refined. The arrangement and production on “Back to You” are particularly noteworthy, creating a lush sonic landscape that complements the song’s emotional core.

“Feel What I Feel” presents a change of pace with its whimsical, guitar-based waltz. The track’s light, lilting feel is enhanced by Aimée’s vocal performance, which seems to float effortlessly over the instrumentation. Once again, a strong hook is present, demonstrating Aimée’s knack for crafting the proverbial “ear worm”.

Photo Credit: Noe Cugny

The album takes a darker turn with a reimagined version of the French chanson “Ma Préférence.” This track stands out from the rest of the repertoire, showcasing Aimée’s ability to tackle more somber material and her skill in reinterpreting existing songs. Closing the album is “Historia De Amor,” a sun-drenched Spanish-language track. This simple, two-chord love song dedicated to nature serves as a fitting conclusion to the album, encapsulating Aimée’s multicultural influences and her connection to the natural world that inspired much of the album’s creation.

“À Fleur de Peau” represents a significant evolution in Cyrille Aimée’s artistic journey. The album showcases her growth not only as a vocalist but as a songwriter and composer. The collaboration with producer Jake Sherman has resulted in a collection of songs that are both deeply personal and universally accessible.

The shift towards original material allows listeners to connect with Aimée on a more intimate level, offering insights into her experiences, emotions, and creative process. The diverse musical styles represented on the album demonstrate Aimée’s versatility as an artist, seamlessly blending elements of jazz, pop, soul, and world music.

The production quality of the album is noteworthy, with Sherman’s expertise complementing Aimée’s performances without overshadowing them. The use of vintage instruments and creative percussion adds depth and texture to the arrangements, creating a rich sonic landscape that rewards repeated listening.

While the album marks a departure from Aimée’s previous explorations of Broadway and the American Songbook, it feels like a natural progression in her artistic development. The confidence she displays in her songwriting and the emotional honesty present in her performances suggest that this new direction is one that suits her well.

In my opinion, “À Fleur de Peau” is a demonstration of Aimée’s growth as an artist and her willingness to take creative risks. The album’s blend of personal storytelling, diverse musical influences, and strong vocal performances makes it a compelling release and a significant addition to Aimée’s discography. For listeners familiar with her previous work, this album offers a fresh perspective on her talents, while newcomers will find it an accessible and engaging introduction to her artistry.

The album is now available on British label Whirlwind Recordings and released as CD, LP and of course on all streaming platforms. CD and LP can be ordered here via Bandcamp.

Release Date: 8 March 2024
Format: CD | LP | Streaming
Label: Whirlwind Recordings

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