Charlotte’s Web

In the three years between Charlotte Gainsbourg’s critically acclaimed 5:55 and her latest IRM (out today), she suffered a cerebral hemorrhage. But Gainsbourg struggled back valiantly. She has even cheekily named her album after the French MRI machine.

The daughter of legendary French actor-singer Serge Gainsbourg, Charlotte has teamed up with Beck to wage a playful battle against death. They’re a sneaky-smart combo — Gainsbourg’s dark humor is lightened by Beck’s whimsicality. He adds the dissonant clang of the MRI to Gainsbourg’s claustrophobic title track about a brain scan. They duet on first single "Heaven Can Wait" — a staunch march into purgatory or, as Gainsbourg puts it, "somewhere between what you need and what you know." There’s an end-of-your-life lullaby called "In the End." And the downright spooky "La Collectionneuse" is a horror fable with a malevolent string arrangement courtesy of Beck’s father David Campbell.

There are still beautiful moments of the gossamer femme pop that’s made her reputation — the shimmering plucked harp that punctuates "Vanities" is a highlight — but Gainsbourg’s brush with death has strengthened her resolve. She knows she won’t be around forever, but with Beck’s help she’s not going down without a fight. 


IRM is available today from Because Music/Elektra Records.