Cannes’ tribute to David Lynch: Who is Mylène Farmer and where to begin with her discography?

One of nan astir moving moments of nan Cannes Film Festival truthful acold came erstwhile beloved French singer-songwriter Mylène Farmer paid tribute to David Lynch during the opening ceremony.

Lynch, who died earlier this twelvemonth aged 78, and Farmer had been friends for years. Both admired each other’s activity and moreover collaborated successful 2024 erstwhile nan head of Twin Peaks and Mulholland Drive remixed Farmer’s deed opus ‘Je te rends ton amour’ for nan medium ‘Remix-XL’. 

For nan opening of this year’s 78th Cannes, a due tribute was paid to Lynch – thing which this year’s Oscar ceremonial singularly grounded to do.

Following a bid of clips, Farmer gave a haunting rendition of nan opus ‘Confession’, her caller way dedicated to nan precocious filmmaker – which Twin Peaks fans could instantly link with, arsenic Farmer's capacity was reminiscent of Julee Cruise's clip connected Lynch's seminal TV show. 

Check retired nan clip:  

The infinitesimal went viral and fans were speedy to praise Farmer and nan show for doing thing importantly much impactful than nan Academy earlier this year erstwhile they included Lynch successful nan In Memoriam conception but grounded to adequately observe nan grade to which nan visionary head had shaped and changed cinema during his career.  

“Cannes Film Festival gives David Lynch his due. The Oscars must’ve been excessively busy” wrote 1 X user, pinch different adding: “Can’t judge that Cannes made a amended tribute for Lynch than nan Oscars”.

For those who haven’t yet had nan pleasure, Mylène Farmer is French royalty – to nan grade she’s often referred to arsenic nan “Queen of French Pop.” 

The singer-songwriter has had a prolific profession and continues to waste retired her stadium tours, nan past of which, Nevermore, has seen her triumph complete legions of younger fans - who recognise that Farmer has been up of nan curb for decades.  

The popular icon has been going since nan mid-80s and has sold much than 45 cardinal records passim her career. She was nan first female creator successful history to waste retired nan 80,000 capacity Satde de France 2 nights successful a row, and her stunning Best Of medium 'Les Mots' is nan highest-selling top hits postulation successful French history.

Known for her poetic and often transgressive songwriting, it isn’t a agelong to picture Farmer arsenic nan gorgeous lovechild of 80s-Madonna and David Bowie, particularly successful nan measurement she has reinvented her style pinch each of her medium cycles and has pushed nan letter cover erstwhile it comes to addressing themes of metamorphosis, sex, gender fluidity and death. 

In short, extracurricular of France, she’s an underappreciated precursor to modern popular stars who inject their lyrics pinch multifaceted topics of sexuality, and her unsocial blend of addictively sensual and acheronian synth-pop is stunning.

While she’s released 7 workplace albums successful nan past 20 years unsocial and continues to tour, her finest decade remains nan 90s – pinch 3 records that are basal erstwhile it comes to discovering Mylène Farmer.  

So, if you’ve never listened to 1 of her albums and want to cognize wherever to start, here’s a starter battalion composed of this trio of records, which proceed rank among her very champion wrong a rich | discography.

Start with:  L’autre... (1991)

Having shaken nan French euphony segment and immoderate little progressive parts of French nine pinch songs disconnected her erstwhile medium ‘Ainsi soit je...’ - particularly nan deed azygous 'Sans contrefaçon', which dealt pinch gender and became an anthem for nan queer organization - Farmer released her 3rd medium successful 1991. Still anchored successful what immoderate would mention to arsenic her Europop era, it nevertheless ended up trading 2 cardinal copies and became her best-selling album. The lead single, ‘Désenchantée’ remains Farmer's astir successful hit, and is still described arsenic her signature song. Its lyrics speak to youthful rebellion and disillusionment – pinch an existentialist spin. ‘L’autre’ is not conscionable that medium pinch nan 1 large deed though: nan melodies passim are flawless, pinch her ballad ‘Regrets’ and nan much up-tempo ‘Je t’aime mélancholie’ opinionated out, while her emotion of Edgar Allan Poe shines throughout.

Continue with: Anamorphosée (1995)

Farmer’s 4th medium was a departure from nan synth-pop soundscape of her erstwhile records. Recorded successful nan US, 'Anamorphosée' is much rock-oriented and features unrecorded instrumentation. Moreover, this album’s activity entreaty is disconnected nan charts. Whether it’s ‘XXL’, ‘L’instant X’ aliases nan superb ‘California’, sadness and symptom return a backseat to hedonism and earthy sensuality – showing an eager creator that was gaining a estimation for being ever-evolving. ‘Anamorphosée’ is simply a importantly much definitive grounds erstwhile it comes to its lyrical content, matched astatine each move by immoderate sparkling melodies that proved Farmer was (and remains) forward-looking erstwhile it comes to nan scope of her output. Add 1 of her astir beautiful ballads, ‘Rêver’, and you’ve sewage a vibrant grounds that is still successful a people of its own.

Discover: Innamoramento (1999)

‘Anamorphosée’ was a pivotal medium for Farmer's career. Instead of resting connected her laurels, however, she took a caller move pinch her 1999 medium 'Innamoramento', which merges eroticism pinch mysticism – and an added penchant for electro and crescendoing arrangements. Enigmatic, romanticist and dealing pinch nan prism of feminity, her 5th medium remains to this time her strongest release. It’s certinainly her astir grandiloquent connection of intent. Her cinematic choruses and emotion-charged lyrics cultivate a palpable aura of enigma and drama, pinch songs for illustration ‘Je te rends ton amour’, ‘Optimistique-moi’ and ‘Souviens-toi du jour’ each opinionated retired successful nan impassioned department. ‘L’âme-stram-gram' is darker offering that you tin creation to, while nan title way is not only 1 of nan astir rousing songs of Farmer's career, but a stormy masterpiece that elevated her to icon status. It’s nan closest she’s travel to flawless and this medium continues to specify her career.