A few years ago I made friends with a French band called Toy Fight, and actually got to meet them in Paris during a trip I was taking.  David (from Toy Fight) introduced me to the great world of independent French music.  Some of the bands I discovered along the way were (Please) Don’t Blame Mexico, and more recently Orouni.  The common thread running through these bands are English lyrics, a love for folk music and the ability to craft playful pop melodies.

Orouni’s latest LP Jump Out the Window is a perfect example of all three of these qualities. Orouni’s accented delivery adds to the fun and adventurous storytelling inside the album.  The music comes off with the childlike feel of a Wes Anderson film, hand drawn album cover art and all; however, instead of 60’s Brit rock, Orouni’s soundtrack brings together stripped down folk and nursery melodies.

Standout tracks are opener “Panic At the Beehive (feat. Milie),” “The Perfume Conspiracy (feat. Mina Tindle)” and “Open it in May (feat. Milie)”  The female accompaniment on these tracks helps to accentuate the melody’s playful narrative.  The instrumentation throughout the album is held together mostly by guitar and sprinkles of violin, xylophone and shakers.  This sparseness brings the production farther forward, and adds to the intimate delivery.

If you’re ever in Paris be sure to get out to one of their show!  For more music and tour dates click here.

[mp3] Orouni - Panic At the Beehive (feat. Milie)