Customer Reviews

Yael Naïm

5 star:		(24)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Like many people, I got this album because of the MacBook Air laptop ad featuring the track "New Soul", which is already released as a single. Yael Naim is a French artiste now living in Israel, and the tracks are in Hebrew, French and English.

She has a distinctive singing voice, and specializes in sultry jazzy numbers, sometimes with a folksy lilt. The song of the album is of course "New Soul", and there's an unusual, unexpected and very strange interpretation of "Toxic", originally sung by Britney Spears.

Other tracks to note are:

"Paris" - sung in Hebrew and French, which translated is an ode to her favorite city.

"Too Long" - a plaintive song in English where she sings "I waited for so long / Outside myself / You see I was pretending / To be someone else"

"Shelcha" - a slow Enya-type song in Hebrew and English

"Lonely" - a minimalistic, simple, melancholy song in English, definitely NOT a karaoke song

"Far Far" - another single, in English, that goes "How can you stay outside? / There's a beautiful mess inside"

"Lachlom" - a dreamy song in Hebrew

"Pachad" - jazzy piano intro leading into Hebrew lyrics

A great easy-listening album for when you're in the mood for something new and a little different.



Amanda Richards, March 26, 2008

Yael Naim's self-titled album is a refreshing musical discovery. It's a breakup album, but it is more thoughtful and melancholy. It was recorded entirely in Yael's Parisian apartment. The album art recalls the Jewish feast of Sukkot, the harvest festival when people make booths open to the stars above. It's a musical feast. Like autumn, it is melancholy, yet it is fruitful.

The opening song,"Paris",is a bittersweet ode to the City of Light. "Too Long" is a mesmerizing song of longing. Of course, there's the klezmer/trip-hop of the hit "New Soul." "Levater" and "Shelcha" are hypnotic,haunting melodies. "Lonely" is a plea to an emotionally distant lover, with the words "I'll never leave you/standing in a storm." "Far far" is colored with sampled birdsong. The closing song, "Endless Song of Happiness" is optimistic and hopeful. The most surprising track is Naim's cover of Britney Spears' "Toxic." She turns bubblegum pop into something desperate and sad.

Yael Naim is an amazing musical discovery. She's brought new soul into the world of music! Along with the Idan Raichel Project and David Broza, she's transforming Israel into a musical oasis.

One day while browsing Amazon I somehow stumbled upon Yael Naim. I had never heard of her before but when I learned that she was the voice behind the wispy music featured on Apple's Macbook Air commercial my interest peaked. "New World" has such a fun, playful feel to it but the rest of the album is a bit more somber sounding. More notable tracks like "Too Long" and "Far Far" are definitely accessible to the ears, making for perfect radio play, but for me the highlights include those not sung in English. "Levatar", "Shelcha" with David Donatien, and "Pachad" in particular stood out with me the most. Her voice is like sweet silk rolling off the tongue when she sings in French and Hebrew, which I find to be a wonderful example of how music can be universal. She breaks through the language barriers for a truly unique listening experience that centers heavily on her gorgeous, expressive vocals with just subtle acoustics and electronics to enhance the mood. She even does a decent downtempo cover of Britney Spears' "Toxic" that's actually made tolerable in the hands of someone with talent.

Yael Naim is definitely a promising new artist to watch out for. I can't stop listening to her debut album and hope this isn't the last I hear from her.

Yael Naim is best known for the Air lap top song "New Soul" (as well as a great and quirky music video, featuring Naim literally creating a world for herself, from the fantastical paintings she adds as embellishments to photos in her new apartment, magically coming to life). Born of Tunisian/Sephardi-Jewish heritage, this new Parisian-born singer breathes new life into music, all the while infusing elements from her heritage into the melodies she sings (complete with muted acoustic guitars, melodica, piano, and what are described as "rhythm sounds" among others). Encouraged by her musical partner, David Donatien, to sing in Hebrew, as well as in French, this album succeeds on many levels. Also, her unexpected cover of "Toxic" (yes, originally recorded by Britney Spears), sounds decidedly understated, almost as though Yael is performing it at a jazz club somewhere, with minimal acoustical accompaniment. The liner notes include both Hebrew and English lyrics, and it's wonderful to see how Yael Naim integrates/fuses together her bicultural (or should I say multicultural?) voyage through music, poetry and musical experimentation.

Well we've all been advised to not judge a book by its cover but here is a prime example. Like many I was interested in the short sound bite for the new apple computer ads but after listening I found more substance than the ad imparted. Her unusual style of changes in mood and instrumentation was a nice ride from tuba to angelic choir and carried the listener farther than most pop tunes. Sure I'm older but also a musician and I admired her mixed sounds that complimented rather than clashed....I downloaded more and listened to more and I think we will see (and hear) more of her to come...I hope.

This is the first album I've listened to in over a year where I've been able to just put it on and listen to it all the way through without so much as a wincing effort. The track "New Soul" is definitely a highlight, but far from the best. Yael has the smoothest voice I've heard since Corrine Bailey Rae, and her styles are varied and complex. She sings in three different languages, all with such beauty and control. Though some songs are happy and bright, such as "New Soul" and "Far Far", many more are cheery the way a rainy spring day is. A few songs ( Lonely, Levater)are definitely melancholic, but still hypnotic in such a way that you'll have to pry yourself away from the music. This isn't something you'd want to play at a party, but is a must for when you're out for a stroll with your iPod.

The song "New Soul" is catchy and fun, and the rest of the Album holds quite well. The songs are original and melodic. Loved it.

My Introduction to Yael Naim was a live performance on the "World Cafe". I had never heard of her before. Her voice just knock me out. I bought this CD that day. I was not disappointed when I heard it. Give the samples a listen you might have the same reaction I did. New Soul is a fun pop tune and her singing in different languages did not wear on me. It is a great example of how a voice can be a musical instrument

For those who like the new generation of female singers like Sarah Harmer, Ingrid Michaelson and Feist, Yael Naim is a great addition. Her songs, in English, French and Hebrew, are very melodic but not too slow or countrish. I like the fact that she doesn't have a heavy accent but nevertheless has one. I think that her songs even has some sort of "coolness", which may be the reason why Apple chose to use one of her songs on the commercial of the new Mac Air.

I ordered this album because I knew it would be different, I am not one for listening to the Top 20 on the radio, there just isn't talent and depth on the radio these days. What I got was, not only a different voice, but a stunningly beautiful voice. Wow...Yael Naim is amazing! What else can be said? Some songs are in English, some in French and Hebrew...it really doesn't matter what language...the feeling can be felt through her voice. This album is one for listening to at night, with a glass of wine in hand, or just simply enjoying it anytime....there are very few out there like this...you won't be disappointed with this album. P.S. If you like Yael Naim...try getting a copy of the French model turned singer, Carla Bruni..she is also very amazing!