Melanie Pain - Bye Bye Manchester (2012)

It's 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 spiritual second home Manchester armed with only an autoharp, ukelele and miniature Casio keyboard. 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.