MC's Music Lounge: Angèle's “Une seule vie” is a showstopping banger that's made to strut to

So much of the history of pop music is centered around artists who sing in English, but we’re starting to see a shift. Just look at how Bad Bunny has had one of the most incredible few years in terms of commercial success. Something like that may have been considered a fluke in the late-90s but now, it’s becoming the norm. Enter, a Belgian pop artist who has been topping the charts in French-speaking countries for more than a decade. She had a crossover North American and British hit with Dua Lipa back in 2020, and her newest single is out this week, leading the charge ahead of her upcoming third studio album Instinct which drops in October.

Although her music is 90% performed in French, Angèle does sprinkle a few English lines in her songs here and there, and three of the new songs on the upcoming album are titled in English. But the great thing about her music is that she has stayed true to herself and continues to put out music that remains in the language in which her fans first got to know her. However, similar to what KAROL G did on her latest release just a few weeks ago when she released an English single with Bruno Mars, Angèle is only adding in English lyrics when it feels right to the song. Besides, when you’ve got the raw talent, undeniable star quality, and banging beats, it’s only a matter of time before the world takes notice. Angèle is already selling out arenas in Belgium, France, and Switzerland – and next year she is set to perform her first sold out arena show in Montreal, along with several theatre gigs in New York and Los Angeles as well. She wouldn’t be the first French-language artist to hit it big in America after all, although I’m not sure anyone should ever be compared to the sheer genius that is queen Céline Dion. But no need for comparisons here. Angèle has a vibe that’s all her own. Sure, her music is pop, but it’s also rap meets electronic and even a little alternative-dance at times. To me, her sound is giving the same vibe that a 60s Brigitte Bardot film would give. Classic French beauty, except in this case the subject is not racist or homophobic. In fact, Angèle is a member of the LGBTQ+ community herself, having recently come out in 2023 as pansexual. How’s that for classic French beauty?

Next week, expect some new music from Miley Cyrus who just dropped her last name from all her social media handles. The name drop comes along with a new promotional image and the simple caption “MILEY.” – looks like she’s joining the ranks of Cher and Beyoncé. I think she’s earned it. This week we have new music from Angèle and Erykah Badu drops her first album of new material in more than 15 years. Plus, new music from Dahi with Kendrick Lamar and Amber Mark, JENNIE, Olivia Rodrigo and a viral hit that will annoy you just enough to get the song stuck in your head on a loop.

Listen on…

MC’s PICKS OF THE WEEK

“Une seule vie” by Angèle

From the first beat drop, you’re already drawn into her world. Angèle’s brand of pop music will leave you both completely gagged and ready to slay. The chorus is hypnotizing as she plays around with her voice in a sweet breathy tone. As a mega Mariah fan, you know I love a breathy vocal – it’s one of my easiest sells. The melody at the beginning of the chorus when she sings “pas sur que je veux savoir” has been replaying in my head non-stop since I first heard the song on Friday. Like I said… hypnotizing. It’s a showstopping banger, and one of the strongest straight-up pop songs I’ve heard all year. All this done over a nasty pop girl beat, it’s practically made to strut to. The video is a futuristic look into a world on the evening of an eclipse, glasses and all. The beauty shots are breathtaking, she really does have this natural beauty about her. If you’re a fan of pop music at its core, I’m talking the underground pop sh-t, and you haven’t gotten into her music… now is the perfect time to dive in before the new album drops.

“They Ain’t You” by Erykah Badu, The Alchemist, Thundercat

This album drop is one that I wish was getting more attention as well, and I’m here to give it its due. The production is original and Erykah sounds so singular. What a comfort it is to hear her vocal delivery again. I can feel the spirit of D’Angelo all over the production of this song that it almost makes me emotional. Erykah and D of course were both a big part of the neo-soul musical movement in the 90s, making her one of the only artists who can truly capture the feeling that his work was able to do. The bassline is heavy and it really locks you in from the jump. Erykah has that tinge of speak-sing that she is so famous for, and it really helps you take in every crevice of the track. It’s the perfect song to play at the end of a long work day or really any moment where you just want to kick your feet up, close your eyes, turn up the headphones and relax. I’m sure tons of weed was smoked in the studio when this was being created, especially if I know my girl Erykah. I basically got a contact high just listening, and that’s not a bad thing darling. They really don’t make tunes like this anymore, and it’s so refreshing to hear an artist not bend their sound or creativity to what the popular thing is at the moment. Erykah and The Alchemist together crafted an album filled with innovative songs with their respective signature touches, and it’s an automatic playlist addition for me.

“How To Pray” by Dahi, Kendrick Lamar, Amber Mark

A song about turning to the highest power in a moment of need, “How To Pray” is a prophecy of strength and optimism when trying to make it in this world. There’s no real one way to pray of course, it’s a personal and spiritual experience for everyone who does it in whichever form they do, but this song is their interpretation. Amber sounds angelic harmonizing with Kendrick’s raps in the verses, and it’s one of the most pleasing sounds from this week’s new releases. Kendrick has such a confidence in his rap flow and he just has a way of making any song he’s on sound like art. He’s spitting lyrics like “The city raised me, the blood spill changed me” and “I want more, optimism” back-to-back, showcasing the yearning for something to believe in. It’s deep, and relatable for many. Plus, the bass in his voice compliments the airy sound of Amber’s. It’s a great mix of rap and R&B – a classic duo. I saw Amber in concert last March, and she has such a great vibe about her. Her music is R&B, but still pop and a little gay too. Another classic mix.

“HEAVEN” by JENNIE

On her new EP, JENNIE is playing around with her vocals and sound without the pressure of a major album release. “HEAVEN” is the best vibe on the EP – it’s a little bit more rock than anything she’s done before, but still a mid-tempo. She’s still blowing up the charts with Tame Impala for their “Dracula” remix, so this new music comes at just the right time for her to capitalize off of that visibility. JENNIE has a knack for choosing production that compliments her vocals well while still being mainstream enough to be considered radio hits. “HEAVEN” is a soothing song - I particularly enjoy the “woah oh oh oh” melody she’s singing at the end of the chorus. She’s giving off a little bit of a Lana Del Rey vibe on this song too. Even the aesthetic of the EP cover with the whole running in the field situation that she has going on. Along with the new music, JENNIE has also been named an ambassador and co-designer for adidas and even has her own collection with the line appropriately titled “JENNIE”. If a video for “HEAVEN” is in our near future, I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s used as a tool to also promote the line.

“serena joy” by Olivia Rodrigo

The one track that was left off of you seem pretty sad for a girl so in love, “serena joy” didn’t fit with the theme of the project. That album is about a full relationship from start to finish, while this song is more socially conscious, it needs to stand on its own, and there’s no better time for it than the weekend of Olivia’s Daisy Chain Fields festival. The songs title pays tribute to The Handmaid’s Tale character of the very same name and takes aim at the patriarchy. Serena Joy the character supported the very system that would go against her – a powerful message to always look out for yourself and not the powers that be who don’t care to separate you from being just a number or a pawn in their game. The line “if they do it to them, they’ll do it to you” speaks volumes, because yeah if you see someone of any level treat anyone a certain way, what makes you think you’re exempt? Olivia also sings the lines “we’ll never give up, and we’ll never submit” as a battle cry for all those who are fighting the good fight. These fighting lyrics are sung over a grungy alt-rock beat that brings you back to the 90s Riot Grrrl feminist punk movement. If this weekend at the festival proved anything it’s that Olivia isn’t afraid to speak her truth, and she’s only becoming more confident and outspoken in her beliefs as time goes on. Sonically, I find that the song does fit with the sound of her previous project but I can see why subject matter-wise she decided to leave it off. It means more for it to be released this way anyway.

MC’s VIRAL PICK

“Pink Blush” by Dolly Babe

If you’ve been scrolling on TikTok at all the last month then you more than likely have heard the chorus of this song in some capacity. It could be the rhyming between “ra-ta-ta-ta-ta” and “pu-na-na-na-na”, the infectious and immaculately produced beat, or it could also be the whimsical melody paired with the explicit lyrics. “Pink Blush” is a song about, well, Dolly Babe’s lady parts and her man going “crazy” for them. I do love a confident bad b-tch. It’s just a fun song, nothing too socially important or even impressive about her flow, but the song is catchy. Really catchy. So catchy that I find myself singing it on a daily basis, and I honestly don’t think I listened to it in full before this week. Yet, I knew every word to the chorus.

“Pink Blush” has taken social media by storm and has even gotten noticed by some of the biggest pop stars of our time like Madonna and Rihanna. Before “Pink Blush”, Dolly Babe hadn’t had a breakout hit and generally lived on the underground rap girl scene. The success of the song has come out of nowhere which seems to be the case with majority of the hits that go viral these days. These viral videos have helped the song shoot into the stratosphere. The track has just hit 10 million Spotify and its accompanying TikTok sound has been used more than 3 million times. It’ll be interesting to see whether Dolly Babe can keep up this incredible momentum that she’s earned through this track. In the meantime though, we have a Mickey Mouse version of the song to enjoy along with all the other shenanigans that have ensued online as a result of this song.

@diannaarceo 🤪🕺🏻 #mickey #disneyparade #heheh ♬ original sound - W clips

@madonna
Birthday Mood!
♬ original sound - Princess Dolly Babe 👑💓

@kristincangemifit This is probably the funniest shit I’ve ever played in class 😂 @NYX @Oner Active #rhythmcycling #spin #indoorcycling #scottsdalefitness #spintok ♬ original sound - kristin cangemi

The 2026 “MC’s MUSIC LOUNGE” Spotify playlist is live. You can add it here to keep up to date with my weekly picks throughout the year.