Up and Comers Music

French songwriter Stéphane Macaluso dazzles us with a rich tapestry of clever songwriting in his new EP “Réflexions“. True to the tradition of Chanson Française, Macaluso centers his compositions around lyrics and storytelling, but he also delivers several memorable melodies that stick on the brain far beyond the first listen. For folks new to the Chanson Française style, Macaluso’s music is notable for its accessibility and is a great place to get your feet wet with the genre.

On the musical side, Macaluso achieves several stand-out melodies that almost feel more like he’s dipping his toes into modern rock and pop styles while also still maintaining the signature flair of the Chanson Française. A few of our favorite moments came in the chorus of DU CHEMIN DE LA VIE, where Macaluso slows it down and serenades us with a classic rock-style piano ballad, and the refrain of SACRE BOUQUIN, where he he opts for a faster pace and has us dancing around the room to the perky beat. But don’t be mistaken, despite these forays into more melody-driven, modern styles, Macaluso also sticks to the classic Chanson Francaise tradition in tracks like TENOR LEGERE, with its more brooding and theatrical style. His ability to stay rooted in the genre while also dabbling around in pop and rock demonstrates his versatility as an artist and his ability to appeal to a wide range of audiences. 

Overall, Macaluso evokes classical French songwriting in this EP but adds a contemporary spin, making the music more fun and interesting for modern audiences. The centering of the grand piano and the frequent presence of the jazzy saxophone in his music is a welcome change of pace for those of us who generally listen to more guitar or synthesizer-based music. Chanson Francaise can be whimsical, humorous, and soul-soothing, and if you’re tired of the same old rock or hip hop in your collection, you might try out Stéphane Macaluso and his modern take on this timeless French genre for a change. 

Stream Réflexions here and follow Stéphane on Instagram to stay up to date on his latest. 

Check out our Up and Comers playlist for more exciting artists you probably have never heard of.