If she had been born in Tennessee rather than in Lyon, Claire Pommet would probably have been a traditional country singer who goes by the name “Apple” and who graces sad songs with her vibrant voice. But she was born in Lyon, her stage name is Pomme and it’s France that she loves. Which of course doesn’t stop her from gracing sad songs with her vibrant voice. On this second album (arranged together with Albin de la Simone and situated somewhere between folk and modern pop), Pomme rhymes with solemn. And never with monotone! Her tracks span a range of atmospheres, from the soft clarity of the hit-worthy Sequoias to the unusual liturgy that closes the album. Pomme’s songs send shivers down your spine, revolving around relatable themes - uncertainty, death and family memories - and in doing so she relieves the listener from their own problems. Whether she’s singing alone with her autoharp or surrounded by epic arrangements, Pomme is always an intimate singer. What makes her stand out from the crowd, and which undoubtedly explains her attraction, is that she always stays true to herself. The 23-year-old singer reveals deeply personal lyrics over melodies that sound a little like an old Roy Orbison record. It takes real courage to share your innermost thoughts and feelings in this way. No doubt it’s the same kind of courage that the French singer Dominique A sang about almost 30 years ago. © Stéphane Deschamps/Qobuz