Sebastien Tellier - La Ritournelle

While it sounds like a full orchestra (sans percussion, though not missing anything), what we have here is "only" Sebastien Tellier, who not only plays almost all of his own instruments and sings, but also does his own studio production. His music caught the ear of the AIR crew back in 1999 when he had a single released on an Astralwerks compilation. They soon signed him to their own label, Record Makers, and his first album was released in 2001, entitled L' Incroyable Verite (The Unbelievable Truth). Tellier suggests that you listen to his album "alone and by candlelight."

Fast forward to the present and this track, off his late 2003 album Politics, has been named as one of the top ten tracks of 2004 by Gilles Peterson. Tellier expanded by adding live percussion and it completely transforms his sound, adding depth and emotion even beyond what he had already accomplished. With a tremendous build and an ultimately cathartic vocal crescendo, this track will leave you feeling both sad and happily at peace with the bittersweet "old story" that is love.

What got him noticed: Fantino

Buy his albums here.