Christine and the Queens by Christine and the Queens

A huge star in her native France, Héloïse Letissier (Christine is her entrancing alter-ego) has (partially) rerecorded her radiant debut album in English. The language shift has diluted nothing from the LP’s allure: this is a dazzling and curious electronic pop set that bewitches and challenges. “iT” and “Tilted” are the knockout singles—slinky, restrained and lyrically alive with wit and provocation—but there’s invention around every corner. “No Harm Is Done” is twitchy and insidious, “Jonathan” and “Paradis Perdus” luscious torch songs and “Here” a swirling, multi-lingual, climax.

8.0 / 10

Christine and the Queens is the project of the French synth-pop auteur Héloïse Letissier. Her bold, empowering, and danceable 2014 debut Chaleur Humaine, which features a collaboration with Perfume Genius, has been repackaged as a self-titled debut for her introduction to the American market.

At face value, this is joyously immediate pop music. Dig a little deeper, and there’s endless facets.

7 / 10