Sebastien Tellier - 'Sexuality' (Lucky Number) Released 25/02/08

Sebastien Tellier’s defining song, ‘La Ritournelle’, from his second album ‘Politics’ has rightly been heralded as a modern day masterpiece. Such a career zenith would be a daunting task for any artist to follow-up, but the way the ultra-eccentric Parisian has done it with ‘Sexuality’ is nothing short of genius. Essentially a complete retro-electro ode to love, lovers and love-making, it’s a unique, often cheesy, often brilliant record that perfectly marries Monsieur Tellier’s quirky song-writing with (one half of Daft Punk) Guy Manuel De Homem-Christo’s flawless production skills.

While the one-dimensional subject matter may seem self-indulgent and even contrived on paper, as soon as you set eyes on the outrageously tongue-in-cheek kinky artwork or hear the hip-grinding grooves of album opener ‘Roche,’ you know that ‘Sexuality’ is none of these things. In fact, the album is a joy to listen to, and when compared to the majority of pop albums that crassly deal with sex, it’s a breath of fresh air. With their sexual groans and exaggerated synth lines, ‘Kilometer’ and ‘Pomme’ add to this sentiment, peppering proceedings with dignified sleaze, while disparately the melodic and down-beat ‘Look’ almost invokes the cuddles and affectionate kisses after sex. Indeed, this is a very personal and heart-felt album, but it’s one that we’re all invited aboard to light the scented candles, draw the curtains and dim those lights.

Importantly too, while Guy-Manuel’s imprint and influence is apparent throughout the eleven songs (it’s Tellier’s first wholly electro album for one), ‘Sexuality’ sounds nothing like a Daft Punk record. It’s as if Tellier has successfully captured the sexual thrust of Daft Punk’s sound and added his own starry-eyed lyrics and charm. It’s only lead single ‘Sexual Sportswear’ that distinctly lacks Tellier’s own imprint, but such is the radiance of the whirling electro tune that such niggles are rendered futile – in fact it’s a crucial moment that propels the album forward after the vaguely forgettable ‘Une Heure.’

After each climax, there’s a comedown, and duly after the abrasive ‘Sexual Sportswear’, Tellier takes us gently down with the poignant ‘Elle’ before once again upping the tempo with ‘Fingers of Steel.’ As well as the individual tracks, these contrasting waves and rhythms of the work as a whole pertinently reflect the varying stages of love-making.

Thankfully, Sebastien saves the most poignant moment till the very last with the beautiful and moving ‘L'Amour Et La Violence.’ A clearly emotional Tellier accompanied only by his piano and a simple electronic line passionately asks his lover what she thinks about him. In it Tellier expresses a vulnerability not shown elsewhere on the album – despite his reverence for sex and love; he’s only human after all (no pun intended) and has intrinsic insecurities and doubts.