The self-titled album debut of
Zaz
is one of the more exciting French revelations of 2010, boasting a refreshingly unique gypsy jazz style as well as plenty of contemporary pop appeal. Thirty years old at the time of her solo album debut,
is a seasoned vocalist with years of experience as a performer, and her vocals are indeed a wonder to behold. She's a talented jazz vocalist, for sure, and her resemblance to
Edith Piaf
is striking. In addition to her singing,
is a gifted songwriter credited with either writing or co-writing six of the 11 songs on her debut album. French pop star
Raphael
is credited with writing three of the remaining songs, "La Fee," "Port Coton," and "Eblouie par la Nuit," and
Kerredine Soltani
is credited with writing the stand-out lead single, "Je Veux." Moreover,
is credited with producing four songs on the album: the three that he wrote, plus "Trop Sensible."
Alban Sautour
,
Germain Guyot
, and
Soltani
are also credited with production, and their work is commendable. The gypsy jazz style of the album is tastefully produced, never sounding retro or cliched and, more importantly, never taking anything away from
herself. Moreover, the contributions of four different producers makes for a diverse sound, with the
songs in particular standing out from the others. Clocking in at 11 songs in 39 minutes,
doesn't overstay its welcome and leaves you craving more after the awe-inspiring closing track by
, "Eblouie par la Nuit." Impressive from all standpoints,
is a strong contender for French pop revelation of the year. ~ Jason Birchmeier