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New French Chanson and Pop Vinyl Releases: Classics and New Voices

What "variété" means, and what's in this section

In French, "variété" is the umbrella term for popular song: the big voices of the 1960s through the 1980s, singer-songwriter chanson and French-language pop. This section of new French vinyl leans heavily on reissues. Christophe, Claude François, Véronique Sanson and Jeanne Mas are all in the catalog, and if Claude François sounds unfamiliar, "Comme d'habitude", the 1967 hit he co-wrote, became the basis for "My Way". Current artists like Florent Marchet, Tété, Kaolin, Daguerre and Nawel Ben Kraïem are here too, along with international crooners Tony Bennett and Fred Astaire and Italy's Adriano Celentano.

French chanson reissues: what to check

For the big names of French pop, the same era can come as a reissued original album, a greatest-hits LP or a complete-works box set. Original albums, with their artwork and running order, are usually more rewarding for collectors than compilations. Many 1990s French albums came out mainly on CD at the time, so a vinyl reissue is sometimes the first LP pressing ever.

For the 1960s, keep in mind that the four-track EP, more than the LP, was the dominant format for French pop at the time. Some reissues reproduce those EPs exactly, sleeve included, while others gather them onto one LP. Both work fine for listening; only faithfulness to the original object differs.

Original album or compilation: read the track list
Remastered from the original tapes or not
Artwork and booklet faithful to the original release
Price per disc for complete-works box sets

How to follow new French records

Albums come out on Fridays. For today's scene, independent labels like Because Music, tôt ou tard and Wagram regularly release albums on vinyl, sometimes with a limited color edition. For catalog titles, reissues tend to cluster around the anniversary of a landmark album or an artist’s passing. The holiday season also brings plenty of box sets and best-ofs. This page gathers new releases as they appear at partner stores, a handy way to explore French pop if you're just getting started.

Comparing prices on French pop vinyl

The same record can vary noticeably in price between stores, especially box sets and limited editions. Here you can compare offers from several partner stores for each record, then click through to the one you want. For a best-of or a widely available reissue, take your time comparing, as these usually stay in stock. For a numbered edition or the first-ever vinyl pressing of a cult album, don't wait too long.

Frequently asked questions

What is French variété?

Variété is French popular song: the great singers of the 1960s to 1980s, singer-songwriter chanson and pop sung in French. The category also takes in international easy-listening, like American crooners or Italian pop. It's a broad section centered on albums driven by voice and lyrics.

Where should a newcomer start with French vinyl?

A best-of by a major singer is an easy, affordable entry point. From there, move on to reissued original albums, which keep the artwork and running order. Reissues from the 1960s and 1970s are widely available on vinyl and let you hear the arrangements as they were first released.

Should I buy an original album or a best-of on vinyl?

A best-of is convenient and often cheaper for discovering an artist. For collectors, the reissued original album, with its artwork and track order, is more interesting. Check the remaster too, since a recent best-of may use different versions than the original recordings.

How can I tell a good pressing among new French releases?

Look at the stated source, the label and whether there's a careful remaster. Reissues made from the original tapes usually sound better than a record cut from a compressed file. Store descriptions and the barcode help you identify the exact edition you're buying.