Why Orelsan's "Civilization" is the best French rap album of the year

Orelsan's fourth album doesn't come out on November 19 by accident.

This will allow him to find a place under the Christmas tree but also to be selected for the next Victoires de la Musique - this Friday being the deadline.

The 39-year-old artist has a good chance, as in 2018 (three awards), of achieving a fruitful harvest with “Civilization”.

The best French rap album of the year.

And this for three reasons.

It still creates the event

After "The party is over", sold over a million copies and followed by a sold-out tour of 97 dates, the rapper from Caen (Calvados) was expected at the turn.

Not only did he make a success of his comeback, but he doubled the bet.

First with “Never show that to anyone”, a documentary directed by his brother, Clément Cotentin, which achieved critical and popular success on Amazon Prime Video.

Then with this album, “Civilization”, its fifteen new songs and its enigmatic cover on which Orelsan poses in front of an imposing building adorned with a large banner that looks like a dictatorship flag.

CIVILIZATION

New Album on 11/19/21 pic.twitter.com/Om5z4TnLKA

- OrelSan (@Orel_san) October 26, 2021

As with the clip for "Basic" in 2017, Orelsan managed to make an impression and create even more expectations by releasing, by surprise, the clip for "The smell of gasoline", on Wednesday morning.

The images are shocking, the music powerful, the words powerful, the reactions unanimous.

The video has been watched nearly 3 million times in less than 48 hours.

The choice of this first song is not trivial.

She announces a personal and political record.

As he himself admits with humor in the title “Casseurs Flowters Infinity” with his buddy Gringe ‚“ I made an album that only talks about my girl and about society ”.

His texts speak to us

Orelsan said it during an exclusive meeting with our readers at the end of October: “I always try to make music that corresponds to my age.

He is 39 years old and has a more mature and altruistic outlook on the world.

This can be heard from the first title, “Shonen” - a word that designates a type of manga -, whose text illustrates his documentary and where he thanks his exes “for the crash test”.

“I wouldn't have changed if you hadn't told me to.

"This is even truer on" the Quest "and on" Better Dream ", self-portraits full of self-mockery and winks to" the burn-out generation, screwed up like Amy and Britney "that he invites to refuse. "The dictatorship of the beaufs" and to be wary of the star-system and social networks.

It's not new, but it's very well written.

PODCAST.

Orelsan: a look back at a career neither simple nor basic

Success often cuts off from reality.

Not with Orelsan, a keen observer of the great evils and small defects of our society, whether it is going through health, social or ecological crises.

His words speak to us.

In the middle of the album, we take a slap with “Manifeste”, 7 minutes 22 of snorkeling in the heart of a demonstration of yellow vests which turns into confrontation, slogans and tear gas in support.

Once again, his humor, his asphalt-like feather and his breathless flow are bluffing!

As on the final title, the uppercut "Civilization", which leaves a mess.

"I'm trying to have a child / I'm trying to have something other than regrets / When he sees 2022 / I would understand that he would start to cry.

"

His productions are always up to date

Realistic and honest, Orelsan recognizes that he can no longer ignore his new audience, which now ranges from 10 to 70 years old, when he creates new songs.

Fan of hardcore metal like France Gall, the Caennais puts more and more variety - in both senses of the word - and pop in his rap.

Here, he passes without problem from a lullaby, "the Quest", to the dancing and funny "Bébéboa" - which must be understood by "Bébé drinks" -, from the funny piano "From the clean" to the romantic one from "Athena" », Ode to his wife, where he does not hesitate to sing, even accompanied by the highly prized autotune.

VIDEO.

Orelsan and his brother play the Punchline Quiz

Obviously, we will talk a lot about "Last Glass" and hear this sunny recreation written with Pharrell Williams, composed with and performed by the cult American duo The Neptunes, hero of Orelsan.

But the funky duo “Ensemble” is also a potential hit.

He shares it with his alter ego Skread, producer of the album, composer of most of the tracks, sound genius and shadow strategist highlighted by the documentary “Orelsan - Never show that to anyone”.

The two accomplices grew up together in every sense of the word, Orelsan released his pen and Skread muscled his productions.

The announced triumph of "Civilization" is also his.

EDITOR'S RATING: 5/5

Orelsan “Civilization”,