September 15, 2024
Many of my readers know quite a bit about me because over the years and through my articles, I’ve shared bits and pieces here and there. But most of you know that I live in France. And yet! Over the past 7 years, I’ve only shared two songs sung in French. Is it because I’m more comfortable with the language of Shakespeare than Molière? Yes, possibly. But there’s another more plausible explanation: French artists who make top-quality indie music are few and far between. Here’s the proof. Today marks the third French song on IMC in 7 years.
"Je t'emmènerai" is a beautiful ballad that blends indie rock and indie pop, with warm yet mystical vocals. The atmosphere of this track alone is enough to wrap you up and captivate you within just a few notes.
Starting with the intro, which is very long, by the way. But that’s a good sign. Because in 2024, we live in an era that vinyl, CD, and cassette fans like myself find hard to endure. Algorithms demand artists deliver a punchy chorus within 30 seconds to capture the listener's attention. Machines are deciding what’s good and what’s not, and honestly, I find that scandalous—sorry if I sound like a bitter old man. Does that mean there’s no more room for quality music? For tracks that last more than four minutes? Or even songs longer than two? Sure, social media runs the world now, with 15-second videos. Will we end up with 15-second songs? Thankfully not. Thanks to the genius of many independent artists who are still here to show us that quality doesn’t need a time limit.
And that’s the case with NOVA. This is a French trio made up of Leonardo Villiger, Florent Chatelain, and Florent Valsesia. These three friends make music, first and foremost, to give their listeners a unique experience and take them on a journey. They succeed, and you can feel it in every one of their tracks. When you listen to NOVA’s music, you feel like more than just a listener—you almost feel like part of the band. You get the sense that just by closing your eyes, you can teleport onto a couch in their studio, where they’re right next to you, showering you with their spine-tingling guitar riffs.
It’s truly a magical experience, thanks to the incredible production quality—something I’ve rarely encountered, even after more than 20K submissions to IMC. You’ll hear those details with a good pair of headphones, but certainly not through a smartphone speaker.
The sound is almost three-dimensional, perfectly matching the song’s lyrics: “I’ll take you to see the sea, smell the scents while holding your hand / Lips salty from the air and the sea spray, we’ll laugh about it”. Close your eyes, and with this rich, immersive production, you can almost feel the sea spray caressing your ear. And for an ocean lover like me who moved across the country to live near the waves, that’s priceless!
The song hit home for me in its story, which I found deeply relatable, as I’m going to be a dad to a little girl in December. Sometimes, I wonder how I’ll protect her from the bad news in the world and show her only the best parts. The answer came while listening to this song. Here’s the story behind it, as Leonardo shared with us:
"During the first lockdown, my daughter was only six months old… We were stuck inside, and all I dreamed of was taking her to discover the world, and especially to show her the sea. This song is a father’s promise to his daughter, a promise to show her all the wonders of this world."
Now you understand why I had to share this song with you. Many of us can relate to this little indie-rock gem. And of course, there’s also the fact that our indie-rock category tends to go quiet because little gems like this are becoming rare, much to our regret. But "Je t'emmènerai" has a powerful aura. And language doesn’t matter. I think NOVA could have chosen to sing in Chinese, German, or Portuguese, and the result would have been the same: a shiver down your spine, raising the hairs on your arms.
And if you enjoyed this song, good news—NOVA is releasing a new single on the 15th of every month. There is plenty to satisfy your cravings for escape and daydreaming, as each of their songs is an invitation to travel and let go.
Added to our "Indie Rock Center" and "New IMC Friday" playlists on Spotify.
A bit more about NOVA
NOVA is a French indie rock trio made up of Leonardo Villiger, Florent Chatelain, and Florent Valsesia. Their music, sometimes dark, sometimes bright, is an invitation to a unique emotional experience. Through melancholic melodies and rich textured arrangements, they aim to send chills and transport their listeners to contrasting worlds. Each track is an exploration of human emotions, oscillating between softness and intensity, clarity and mystery. After countless hours spent in the studio, searching for their style, sounds, and musical identity, they’ve created tracks that touch the soul and awaken the senses.
Reach out to NOVA
More songs from NOVA on Spotify
Lyrics
Je t’emmènerai voir la mer
Sentir les parfums
En te serrant la main
Les lèvres salées par l’air
Et par les embruns
On en rira bien
Viens je t’emmène
Viens je t’emmène
Je t’emmènerai voir la mer
Sentir les parfums
En te serrant la main
Les lèvres salées par l’air
Et par les embruns
On en rira bien
Viens je t’emmène
Viens je t’emmène
Viens je t’emmène
Viens je t’emmène
Tes cris dans le vent
Tes rires d’enfant
Sur le sable chaud
Et t’éloigne pas trop
Pas à pas tu grandis
Surtout prends ton temps
Viens je t’emmène
Viens je t’emmène
