Mathieu Chedid, best know as M, has shattered the French musical scene since the release of his first album Le Bapteme in 1997. Throughout his multi-award-winning career, he has been praised for his idiosyncratic super hero style with his M-style hair as well as  for his enchanting musical world with a metallic high-pitched voice.

 

As the title “Mister Mystère” suggests, the whole album is mysterious, resting on the subtle schizophrenic combination between the showman's eccentricity (in the songs Le Roi des Ombres, Destroy) and more intimate feelings (Amssétou, Ca sonne faux). In other words, Mister Mystère is the happy balance between his ever-fascinating pop music and a newer unexplored romantic music style. Mathieu Chedid has matured: his avatar has  finally entered adulthood. Proof of this transformation can be found in the sexually explicit lyrics of Tanagra, written by the tormented writer Brigitte Fontaine (“Jolie Tanagra, Tu me fous la gaule” “Pretty Tanagra, you give me an erection”).

 

 

 

The fact is that this latest Mister Mystère album is a new start to M's musical alter-ego. The sensual black and white Mister Mystere has now replaced the eccentric pink M. As a result the album loses the sheer madness which has seduced French fans. As a result, it may disapoint some of the more die-hard M Lovers. This is not my case. To my mind, Mister Mystère is still a diamond : simply without all the artifice, more natural. In other words, I found him more touching, especially in songs like Elixir – my favourite one – and Tout sauf toi.

 

Other grounds for satisfaction rest on the album's cinematographic aspects. Mister Mystere's accompanying DVD contains some fantastic music videos. Amssetou's one, which was directed by French women's idol Guillaume Canet, is undeniably awesome. Another point that make the album get closer to cinema is an audacious song Hold up, relating minute by minute a failed robbery.

 

Final verdict : though not as eccentric as M's previous albums, Mister Mystere is more touching and above all more genuine. Again, a masterpiece by Mathieu Chedid.

 

M is to perform at the O2 Shepherd's Bush Empire on Monday, December 20, 2010. Not to be missed !