a fragrant fierce panda one sheet

The Actette: MELANIE PAIN

The Release: THE 'JUST A GIRL' EP

The Tracks: 'JUST A GIRL' / '7 OU 8 FOIS' / 'JE SUIS REVENUE'

The Formats: DIGITAL DOWNLOAD EP

The Label:fierce panda

The Release Date: APRIL 29TH 2013

The Truth: 'Just A Girl' is the new solo EP from Nouvelle Vague's French chanteuse Melanie Pain. This three track download release is a taster of her forthcoming second album, due for release on fierce panda in September 2013. The EP sees Melanie deliver ravishing indiepop chansons in both English (the title track) and French ('7 Ou 8 Fois') and features exclusive non-album tune 'Je Suis Revenue'.

As a leading light in acclaimed French collective Nouvelle Vague, Melanie has seduced audiences across the world with sassy sweetness both on originals and via cover versions of 'This Is Not A Love Song', 'Teenage Kicks', 'Love Will Tear Us Apart' and similarly classic alternative hits given a gently sugary makeover.

Its a mellow method she continues to use to this day. After releasing her debut solo album 'My Name' in 2009 and touring internationally for two years Melanie secluded herself in second spiritual home Manchester - Morrissey is a draw for young Parisiennes, too - to write new material armed with only an autoharp, a ukelele and a miniature Casio keyboard. Staying true to her style of retro pop she pushed further towards a more exuberant, feisty sound with programmed beats and vintage synths. Eight weeks later she left town. Bye bye, Manchester indeed.

Back in France she teamed up with renowned producer and composer Albin De La Simone, who has worked with Vanessa Paradis, to record the album. Taking the fragile skeletons created in the NorthWest Melanies songs were fleshed out with exotic twangs, taut basslines and cutely knowing '60s musical references. The album sees Melanie singing of running away in 'Ailleurs', of a desire for a fresh start in 'Bye Bye Manchester', the fear of failure on '7 Ou 8 Fois' and the wickedness of bereavement in the terrifically dark 'Black Widow', a murderous duet with Ed Harcourt. Somewhere between the spirit of Serge Gainsbourg and a surge of pure pop excitement, it all adds up to a classy sophomore effort shot through with a witty, vintage cinematic feel.

Melanie Pain will be bringing her gently bruised pain to the UK in April, visiting these places here:

APRIL 9TH MANCHESTER Deaf Institute
APRIL 10TH LEEDS Brudenell Social Club
APRIL 11TH LONDON CAMDEN Jazz Cafe
APRIL 14TH BRISTOL Thekla

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