Elfy

Lisa Sans Son Etoile (EMI Music France)
By Michael McCarthy

In the call-it-mellow-but-definitely-don’t-call-it-fluff department, Lisa Sans Son Etoile (“Lisa Without Her Star”), the debut album from Elfy (EMI Music France), probably deserves props just for being one of the few concept albums I’ve ever listened to without getting bored or downright annoyed halfway through. Perhaps that’s partially because my French isn’t perfect, allowing me to listen to these folktronica songs without necessarily trying to follow the story. However, its dreamy, fairy-tale-like vibe would surely have hooked me in any case. Sounding like the love child of Air and Dido, “Les Astronautes et Les Princesses” is one of those rare haunting gems you can listen to repeatedly and actually appreciate more with each listen. Along with producer and co-writer Jay Alanski, Elfy has made a subtle but textured lullaby-like album that’s already earned her the praise of actress/writer/director Asia Argento and French filmmaker Catherine Breillat, arguably two of the world’s most provocative and critical filmmakers.
(www.elfylesite.com, www.alanski.com)