RANDOM REVIEW | Magnifique or a massive musical mistake? Amir’s ‘Au Cœur De Moi’
As we all know, France took Stockholm by storm with the adorable Amir and J’ai Cherché (though their sixth place – the country’s best result since 2002 – didn’t quite stack up to their win in the OGAE poll). Eurovision 2016 saw the man manage to haul France from the murky depths of the bottom five for the first time in four years, and that’s one of the million reasons why those of us who love him…well, love him.
I personally became so infatuated during my time in Sweden, I knew the first thing I did when I arrived back in Australia – before I’d even unpacked my substantial supply of Plopp bars – would be to grab a copy of his latest album Au Cœur De Moi, which was released just pre-ESC. And yes, I mean an actual, physical, flesh-and-blood (a.k.a. paper and plastic) copy to squeeze onto my Eurovision shrine shelf. I’m old-fashioned like that.
Even being as blinded by Amir amour as I was, this purchase could have been an unfortunate one if the album as a whole didn’t echo any of the awesomeness of J’ai Cherché. You’re about to find out if I think it does, and discover whether I’d recommend it to you if you haven’t heard it yet. If you follow me on social media (HINT HINT), you’ll know how I feel about it already, since, like Selena Gomez and her hands, I have trouble keeping my feelings to myself. But here’s a more detailed lowdown on/rating of the album anyway.
Enjoy, and let me know which pre or post-contest releases from ESC 2016 artists you’ve been listening to lately in the comments!
PSBWS (PS Before We Start): You can listen to the entire album here if you need to decide whether you agree with what I’m about to say…or not.
Au Cœur De Moi fact files
- The album was released in April 2016 and is Amir’s second, following the all-Hebrew Veyehi from his pre-Voice days in 2011
- The title translates to ‘At the Heart of Me’
- It peaked at no. 6 on the French Albums chart and has charted in Belgium and Switzerland
- Amir co-wrote nine of the twelve tracks, including his Eurovision entry J’ai Cherché
- The bulk of the album is French-language, with one song entirely in English and another three a mix of both
- So far, three singles have been released from the album: Oasis in June 2015, J’ai Cherché in January 2016 and On Dirait in August 2016
The track list
- J’ai Cherché (I Searched)
- On Dirait (It Looks)
- Au Cœur De Moi (At The Heart of Me)
- Ma Vie, Ma Ville, Mon Monde (My Life, My City, My World)
- A Ta Manière (In Your Way)
- I Know
- Très Haut (Very High)
- Je Reviendrai (I’ll Be Back)
- Lost
- Oasis
- Broken Heart feat. ABI
- Il Est Temps Qu’on M’aime (It’s Time To Be Loved)
Anyone horrified by those translations should blame Google, and/or the fact that I haven’t studied French since I was twelve.
So, what does it sound like?
Planning on taking a summertime road trip feat. copious amounts of karaoke interspersed with re-energising naps? If so, then this is the soundtrack you’ll want to back it. It’s forty-two minutes of music that may not be on the knife edge of the French pop scene (emphasis on ‘may not’, because I actually have no idea what current, trendy French pop sounds like) but is full of feel-good vibes as well as some heartbreak-iness for good measure. Those mood swings allow Amir to showcase his versatility as an artist, as a singer, and as a songwriter.
That’s right: Au Coeur De Moi isn’t an album comprised of one J’ai Cherché after another (which I wouldn’t have minded, to be honest). That means that whether J’ai made you jump for joy or not, you’re still likely to find something to enjoy if you give this album a go.
Not convinced? Well, it’s positively packed with Eurovision 2016 reference points. On Dirait is more in the mould of J’ai Cherché than anything else on the album, and Oasis is like a more sedate, less folksy remix. The trumpet-drenched disco flavour of I Know (the most upbeat and energetic song in the mix by far) shares genre shelf space with Laura Tesoro’s What’s The Pressure and Sandhja’s Sing It Away (though I like to think it would have been more Belgium than Finland had it been an ESC entry). Given the title and the fact that is isn’t sleazy in the slightest, it’s almost the antithesis of Serhat’s I Didn’t Know – and in a battle between the two songs, I’d much rather be in the know. You know?
Amir certainly knows he’s a rung above Serhat on the ladder of musical integrity. And boy, is he happy about it.
Meanwhile, title track Au Coeur De Moi and closer Il Est Temps Qu’on M’aime have the hypnotic beat and edge of Justs’ Heartbeat, though they’re a little less bare-bones (which doesn’t make them superior or inferior, given that all three songs kick derriere). If the music I’ve already mentioned brings out Amir’s fun side, then these examples give him the chance to get serious. Light-hearted or intense, they’re equally enjoyable tracks.
But wait! The Eurovision just past isn’t the only one that I’m reminded of as I listen to Au Cœur for the fiftieth time (today). Take Trés Haut, which is almost like the love child of Jessy Matador’s Allez Ola Olé and any of the dance anthems to have made it to the ESC stage recently – think Stay by Tooji or Only Love Survives by Ryan Dolan, with a generous helping of fabulous Frenchiness that makes it slightly quirkier than those songs. As for Broken Heart, a surprisingly uptempo duet with ABI…well, let’s just say it’s something Monika and Vaidas might sing at a later, non-sugar-coated stage of their This Time relationship.
Another aspect of the album I really appreciate is this: if you pay attention, you can hear the Israeli influence more than once. Most noticeable in A Ta Manière and Oasis, this adds another layer of depth to the record and increases the interest factor.
Overall, Au Cœur De Moi is pretty darn dynamic. It manages to be energetic and easy-listening while still feeling complete and cohesive. It’s slick, as you might expect from the eternally-classy French (even when they’re gallivanting around a glammed-up shipyard in Copenhagen wearing zany hotpants and repeating the word ‘moustache’ over and over again), but it’s not TOO slick. It still feels authentic, and very Amir.
My top five tracks
J’ai Cherché This goes without saying, but I’m going to say it anyway. This song is and always will be an absolute gem, and has me looking like the smiliest of smiley emojis whenever I hear it. It’s a great opener for the album because it starts things off on a positive note, and makes you want to hear more should the folk-pop style be up your street (though, as I said before, you should stick around to hear what else Amir has to offer even if you can’t stand that style of music).
On Dirait This one isn’t as much of a statement piece as J’ai Cherché, but it is just as much fun, just as easy to clap along to, and possibly even more summery in sound. French seems to suit this type of song extremely well, and when combined with those summer vibes, makes me want to fly to the French equivalent of Ibiza and crash the first beach party I can find.
Au Cœur De Moi I don’t know if the title of this song was chosen for the album because it was supposed to be the star attraction (despite no single release) or if it just encapsulated Amir’s attitude towards the whole thing. Whatever the case, it’s an excellent title track. It’s the most contemporary song on the record and takes advantage of electronic production. The pounding beat makes it hard to skip when it comes on shuffle.
Oasis This song is a stunner, but not in a showy way. Again, the French language is ovary-meltingly beautiful here (though that may be because I know it’s coming out of Amir’s mouth); the verses are super-soothing (who needs to pay $100 an hour to a therapist when you’ve got this?); and the chorus is simple but effective. The only thing I dislike about the guitar-backed ballad is that the instrumental bit right at the end is too short (and it’s so pretty I want it to go on forever…or at least for a few more bars).
Broken Heart The addition of a duet to Au Cœur De Moi was a stroke of genius – something I’d also say about the sole duet on Måns Zelmerlöw’s Perfectly Damaged. Amir’s vocals shine alongside ABI’s (I’d never heard of her before, and she seems to be hard to track down even using that internet thing all the kids are into these days). It’s a sweet collaboration that’s catchier than the common cold.
The verdict
By now, my opinion of this album will be obvious. There’s nothing on it that I don’t like, and most of it I love. I wouldn’t say it’s all killer and no filler, but there aren’t any weak tracks that make you think ‘Why did they bother?’. There’s actually a handful that would have made respectable Eurovision entries in a parallel universe devoid of J’ai Cherché – and that says a lot, since not every song on the planet is fit to be a competition song.
What also says a lot is me writing this review in the first place. There’s only been one previous occasion on which I’ve felt passionate enough about a release from an ESC alum to ramble on about it for far too much page space. That was five years ago, almost to the day (creepy, right? Maybe you should revisit that review of Dima Bilan’s Mechtatel to calm yourself down). So congratulations, Amir, on prompting my second album review in seven years!
Ultimately, I’d recommend Au Cœur De Moi to any pop fan, because it’s far from being a one-trick pony. Like someone who didn’t have breakfast heading to an all-you-can-eat, 150-dish buffet for lunch, you’re sure to find something here that you like, and would like to sample again in the future.
Don’t hold me to that, though. As a Eurovision fan, you’ll be well aware that ‘each to their own’ is a phrase you have to employ frequently.
Now, as every review ends with a score of some kind, it’s rating time. In Eurovision terms – because I try to put everything in my life in Eurovision terms – it’s a douze-pointer. In standard album review terms, I give it five stars.
If you’re after even more Amir (and who wouldn’t be, really), you can find him in all the usual online places.
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Official site
What are your thoughts on Amir’s Au Cœur De Moi? Which Eurovision 2016 act has blown your mind with their non-contest music? Let me know below!
eurovisionbyjaz.com 
4 Responses to “RANDOM REVIEW | Magnifique or a massive musical mistake? Amir’s ‘Au Cœur De Moi’”
Good to see you back Jaz and doubly glad you took the time to review one of my favorites from 2016!
Oasis is my favorite, outside of the impeccable J’ai Cherché, listed. On Dirait is a pleasant ear worm too.
I’m going to step back into 2013 briefly because that is the only time I have followed (become obsessed with, tbh) an ESC artist to this day and she has released TWO new tracks this year alone, which is a substantial output for this person. Of course I’m referring to Margaret Berger, as if nobody saw that name coming. “Apologize”, released in February, is excellent although I could do without her dropping the f-bomb in chorus. I don’t mean to sound like a prude, but it’s just unnecessary to me especially for an artist of her ability and caliber. “Running with Scissors” was released last month and it was better after multiple listens, but it would be her least favorite effort since Eurovision, in my opinion. There was “Human Race” about 6 months after the 2013 contest and it is classic Berger. “Scream” the following year, co-written by Ace Wilder, is another worthy track and she also lent her vocals to “Diamonds” with F.A.C.E. last summer for a dance-y number. I’d say any one of those three would be worth it to give a listen.
I am absolutely SHOCKED that over two albums reviews in “7” years a certain Miss Sanna did not earn her own critique? Are there plans to undo that injustice? 😉
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I’m glad to hear you’re on Team Amir, Amy…it’s Sunday, and I’m just not in the right frame of mind to hurl (constructive, well-intended) abuse at anyone who disagrees with me at the moment. ACDM is so happy, I don’t know how anybody could hate it anyway.
WHAT?!?!? Margaret Berger? I had no idea you were a fan of hers. I also cannot comprehend the fact that she’s actually released music this year, on several occasions. Which I still haven’t gotten around to listening to yet. I still play Scream on a regular basis (after one of your earlier recommendations, I think) but I’m not a fan of Human Race, so I never know whether I’m going to find her stuff hit or miss. But at least she makes me curious to know! And I totally understand how you became hooked on her after Eurovision 2013, her finest hour. So many of us have spent time bowing down to her stunning ice queen-iness ever since. I would definitely have her again for Norway, and/or Karin Park with something Human Beings-esque. I still LOVE that.
The thing is, I keep stumbling across reviews of albums that I had planned to review myself, and then I just think ‘Uh, the work’s already been done!’. I have a friend who reviewed Sanna’s 7, and another who did MZW’s Perfectly Damaged (my favourite ESC-related record of 2015 for sure, and not just because I’m still a little in love with Mr. Zelmerlöw), and since they said most of what I would have, I decided to forgo my own verdicts on EBJ. I wonder whose album I’ll end up reviewing in another five years?
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PS – Douze points for the Sanna puns!
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Good to see you back Jaz and doubly glad you took the time to review one of my favorites from 2016!
Oasis is my favorite, outside of the impeccable J’ai Cherché, listed. On Dirait is a pleasant ear worm too.
I’m going to step back into 2013 briefly because that is the only time I have followed (become obsessed with, tbh) an ESC artist to this day and she has released TWO new tracks this year alone, which is a substantial output for this person. Of course I’m referring to Margaret Berger, as if nobody saw that name coming. “Apologize”, released in February, is excellent although I could do without her dropping the f-bomb in chorus. I don’t mean to sound like a prude, but it’s just unnecessary to me especially for an artist of her ability and caliber. “Running with Scissors” was released last month and it was better after multiple listens, but it would be her least favorite effort since Eurovision, in my opinion. There was “Human Race” about 6 months after the 2013 contest and it is classic Berger. “Scream” the following year, co-written by Ace Wilder, is another worthy track and she also lent her vocals to “Diamonds” with F.A.C.E. last summer for a dance-y number. I’d say any one of those three would be worth it to give a listen.
I am absolutely SHOCKED that over two albums reviews in “7” years a certain Miss Sanna did not earn her own critique? Are there plans to undo that injustice? 😉
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