Selective Listening | Jack White, Philippe Katerine, A$AP Rocky

Three unexpected songs, for three different reasons. Added to these are some new songs of the week that complete our playlist The Press.

Listen to songs from our playlist

Archbishop Harold Holmes, Jack White

The unexpected album of the week. Without fanfare – but with a maximum of riffs guitar! –, Jack White offers us a surprise album titled No Name with overflowing energy. Observation on listening: a return to the sources for the guitar hero 49-year-old American (already?), who offers a journey through time here. The songs heard could indeed have been offered somewhere between his period The White Stripes and his period The Raconteurs, his two beloved musical babies that marked the first decade of the 2000s. From the – very good – lot heard, we remember this piece, Archbishop Harold Holmeswhich demonstrates that White is not only an exceptional guitarist, but also a top-class performer. His hypnotic voice perfectly accompanies the tortuous and complex chords of his six strings.

HighjackA$AP Rocky (with Jessica Pratt)

The unexpected collaboration of the week. Rakim Athelaston Mayers, this American rapper – and lover of Rihanna – who goes by the beautiful stage name of A$AP Rocky, enlists the vocal services of the delicate Jessica Pratt, a Californian singer from the world of airy folk rock. They join them, in the background, in chorus, the voices of Creed B Good and Jon Batiste. The latter is also on the piano and brings an interesting soul touch to the piece with its fast and precise delivery. The subject of the song? “These n***** want my wife bad, the people want my next track/The coppers want my Black ass, fucked up, but it’s like that “. Only that.

NakedPhilippe Katerine

The unexpected performance of the week. Philippe Katerine made an impression – especially on Christians – during his appearance at the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympic Games. Naked, painted blue, in the middle of a fruit platter, he embodied Dionysus, god of celebration. Some saw it as a tribute to The Lord’s Supperthis painting by Leonardo da Vinci, others at Feast of the Godsby Giovanni Bellini. But beyond the unforgettable image and the debate that followed, let us remember that there was also a new song to listen to! La pianotée Nakeddelicate, speaks of loving one’s neighbor and stopping wars. “Would there be wars if we had remained naked? Where to hide a revolver when you are naked?”, he sings, while classical violins wait for the answer before taking flight.