Marietta’s sultry new single has echoes of Kurt Vile at his sunniest

Released by uncompromising French label Born Bad Records, who on top of nostalgic pop powerhouse La Femme and a slew of local psychedelic acts also re-edit Cameroonian groundbreaking artist Francis Bebey, "Nos Ventre Nus" is Marietta's first single from his forthcoming album La Passagère. Lushly produced by ex-Deerhoof member Chris Cohen, it is an inventive, sultry, addictive track.

In its brilliant guitar work (within a few seconds there are not one, but three guitars layered one on top of the other) and sunny disposition the track brings to mind Kurt Vile, Mac Demarco, and Kevin Morby at his poppiest.

Marietta’s first album, Basement Dreams are the Bedroom Cream, was sung in English and his switch to French has obviously been noticed by the francophone tastemakers La Souterraine, who put an early version of another track from the new album, the brilliant "La Grande Ville Malade", on their Volume 9 mixtape last year. But that track hadn’t yet benefitted from Cohen's richer and roomier production, which really does take "Nos Ventres Nus" to another level. With talented French artist Halo Maud contributing vocals, a magnificent horn solo, and a video that confirms that sneaking suspicion that French people are just a little bit cooler and better looking than the rest of us, it is essential listening.