It's a shame that when she released her first album, 'Snow On the Sahara' back in 1998 in the U.S., Indonesian-born French pop singer chanteuse Anggun was only mildly successful; and her even-more fabulous sophomore follow-up 'Chrysalis' got no release this side of the Atlantic. But in France, she was huge and even went onto collect the equivalent of the French Grammy for her song "Still Reminds Me." She spent four years creating what would be 'Luminiscence' and appeared next to house DJ Cam and with Italian singer Piero Pelu (which can be found on the American iTunes store — the only entry for us with Anggun.) She also scored the entire soundtrack for the Danish drama 'Open Hearts' and that soundtrack left her fans a little nervous — thinking that she had abandoned passionate songwriting for quirky beats.
But luckily, it was just a style that she was learning to master and among other elements, her mastery of catchy pop ditties and slow ballads shows on the effervescent 'Luminiscence.' This balance that Anggun manages to pull off will secure 'Luminiscence''s status as one of pop music's best-kept secrets.
(Before I go on, I should explain that I know practically no French and I absolutely adore this album and find it cohesive and listenable — to say the least. So don't let language bar you from getting this album or trying it out...)
Equipped with fifteen stunning tracks, this half-French, half-English third studio recording by the singer sees an abandonment of the more exotic sounds employed in her first couple albums and sees a stronger dappling into the territory of solid electro-pop and lush ballads. Between Celine Dion and Whitney Houston, the ballad genre may have become redundant, but with the often minimalistic arrangements found on tracks such as "Un de Toi" and "Captivite," Anggun is able to redefine ballads a good deal. And she she blows out most typical love anthems out of the water with the passionate tour-de-force "C'est Ecrit"; her voice not only masters its octaves, but it soars and shines when she reaches for the pivotal moments of the song that make simply grab you by the gut and make you want to bawl — because this part is so achingly beautiful.
Article comments
1 - Ewe KC
Just had to say that I purchased both the French album from Amazon and the English album in Asia and both songlist are similar except that the English version does not have Un De Toi but have a similar sounding 'soft' song called "Go". Alongside 2 remixes of Etre une Femme retitled In Your Mind and 3 remixes of C'est la plui in Bahasa Indonesia retitled Mantra.
A pity that this artiste is largely ignored in the US, after her sophomore debut on Snow on the Sahara. She deserves more fame and recognition, especially for the Chrysalis / Desirs Contraires album with tracks Still Reminds Me, The Prayer, Comme Un Previlege, Chrysalis and Rain.
And I have to disagree, finding Painted to be the best song in this album followed by C'est Ecrit and finding Human to be too jarring and "Country" for Anggun.
Painted's chorus gives me the chills everytime she sings "just like a war agaisnt nature" and propels me to press repeat at least 2 more times. What a pity it was so short!
Thanks for posting a review of the album when they are so few opinions of Anggun out there!
2 - Tommy Stani
Anggun, a singer with beauty and excellent voice. She has always bring something better in her new album. I love every single of her songs in her recent Luminescence.
It has come to my understanding that whatever the songs that produced by USA would be good at the cd store, Just remember, right there in US is the biggest music recordings. I have been so bored to hear any Britney Spears's songs or other new idols.
I am quite sure that she will be more than she is now, if she get a proper promo in around the world.
You have done well Anggun for your newest album!
3 - Guinnevere
Are you kidding me?---'Painted' is one of the best songs on the cd!!
4 - yana
i think luminescence is the most waited and exited album of the year.and hopely will be release in the us and got place there.anggun for next album must be more hits ane us is the priority and got duet there with more big world singer and got grammy or something like that.
5 - Urfiah
I think Anggun latest album really shows her maturity in finding her own style. Comparing to "the snow on the Sahara" her 'debut', The latest, to me ,is the best, all the songs, no exception. She also demonstrates her ability in writing songs, with very deep-meaning lyrics as well as hard-not-to adore melody; Anggun proves that she's really something real to look forward to in International music arena..
6 - Anggun Fan
Luminiscence is my favourite album!!
7 - brennan501
luminescence is by far the most attractive and best selling album from anggun as of now. the songs are great, fun, catchy with every emotion and mood of the songs. however it has fail to attract US label to distribute the album across the atlantic shores. maybe anggun mgmt team failed to impress their business partners in usa.probably anggun will remain as underdog artist that shall remain exclusive to its fans in europe and asia.
luminscene has now a past. anggun has moved on and shall return with a new album probably end of 2008 or early 2009. goodluck anggun.