Winsome, lose some: second album syndrome strikes the photogenic Paris punk-poppers. 'About Love' has all the signs of a band writing for the sake of it - tired, personality-free tracks that could have come from any guitar band with access to a photocopier.

A first glimpse at Joann Sfar's 'Gainsbourg (Vie Heroique)', the forthcoming screen version of the life of France's greatest ever pop star. However, the film has been touched by tragedy.

Just as Phoenix were rocking the east coast of America last month, over on the west coast a new festival showcased even more French artists. 'Ooh La L.A.' featured Cocoon, Sebastien Tellier, The Dø - and adopted Frenchman Gonzales.

Our reigning Best French Album champ won't give up his title easily - 'Mary Lee Doo' takes the '80s electro-pop of its predecessor and adds a dreamy, romantic vibe. 

Using a high-tech decoding machine, your War Correspondent (Paris) has deciphered our footballing enemy's terrace songs. Love and jumping and counting to three, mostly. All together for Ireland: shinnafeenafall!

Revolution in the head: A brain scan provides the inspiration for the Beatles-y title track of the award-winning actress's new album, made with Beck. However, it's a poor song.

Somebody loves Raymond: The unpopular coach of France's national football team has found an unlikely supporter - the singer from a much-loved '80s French pop band. Here's Catherine Ringer with her song of love for the hapless trainer, "Je Kiffe Raymond".

The French alt-folk duo on the bill of the CLUAS Gig of the Fortnight as support to Thinguma*jigsaw. (Make sure you catch Peter Delaney at the very start of the night.) From Arlt, here's 'De Haut En Bas'.

A rather special Franco-Irish duet from two guys who seem to pop up on this blog quite regularly, courtesy of our favourite French radio show.

Boy meets girl, shakes up a dour old demo and together they turn it into a dreamy pop song. We know little about them apart from the track, 'Quietly Burning', but that's all we need to know.

The people behind the Takeaway Shows are now doing deliveries - Les Soirées de Poche feature well-known indie artists playing in some lucky Parisian's apartment. Here's our favourite so far, a fantastic double-bill of Andrew Bird and St Vincent.

The iconic French film star turns 75 soon. Though today she's more occupied with strident animal rights activism and controversial views on French Muslims, she has her place in pop history. From her celebrated singles with and by Serge Gainsbourg, here's the magnificent 'Bonnie And Clyde'.

Moments of pleasure: The photogenic French electro-pop auteur clearly shares our love for Kate Bush. You'll enjoy her new album 'The Big Machine' so much that you'll even forgive us for that excruciating title pun. Check out the video for first single 'Dreamland'.

The second album from one of our favourite French singers - a new rustic-folk direction that's long on campfire ambience but short on the sort of melodic craft that made her name. An okay album but not a great one, we're sorry to say.

The premier league: a look at the songs from France that have topped the British and Irish charts. There's loads of table-quiz trivia, some controversy, the family secret of Daft Punk - and a roadtrip with Modjo.

A gorgeous new album that harks back to classic '60s French pop - check out 'Sugar Sugar' from Diving With Andy.

Absent friends: The much-loved movie that's closely associated with a famous Paris quarter and an evocative soundtrack by a gifted Breton musician. But did you know about the 'Amélie' soundtrack's twin, a wonderful album called 'L'Absente' that features Lisa Germano and our own Neil Hannon?

Carla Bruni, model turned pop star turned First Lady, seems to be the driving force behind the French government's attempt to crack down on illegal downloading - with a little help from (among others) a certain F. Mitterrand.

'Locomotion' is the fantastic debut single by The Sophia Lorenians, a Paris band who worship '70s U.S. soul and '60s Italian actresses in equal measure. Forza!

Check out 'Bluescreen', an excellent bit of synth-coated punk-pop from a Toulouse duo who are more into industrial strength electro-clash and shouting and stuff.

Definitely not: last night's no-show by Oasis has apparently caused Noel to quit the group - and certainly continues Rock en Seine's annual problems with absent headline acts.

Running up that (Alpine foot)hill: From the winter sport city of Annecy, here's some gorgeous electropop that calls Kate Bush to mind.

Home and away: The English woman and French icon is one of the star attractions at next weekend's Festival of World Cultures. Here she is singing 'Home', a Neil Hannon song about the place where your heart is.

Remembering our trip to Saint Malo, where we enjoyed fantastic music in a great location. As for the festival's lack of money and Irish fans, let's see if we can kill those two birds with one stone.

Bloody cheek: Live from Saint Malo's legendary indie festival, where the director is having a dig at My Bloody Valentine for their demands. But the show will go on.