C'est Magnifique!
When you have a track with music composed by Air and lyrics written by francophile Jarvis Cocker, let alone string arrangements by Beck's dad, you're looking for something a bit special. Of course having started recording music at the age of 13, Charlotte Gainsbourg is rather unique and gifted herself and '5:55', the title track from her 2006 album reflects this. A dreamy and tender tune with lyrics that resonate right down your aural canal, '5:55' is as intimate as sharing this early morning hour with the soft-voiced singer. Charlotte Gainsbourg's melodies sound precious and full of subtle beauty, in the same way that French cinema is famous for creating wonderful pieces recreating the most normal activities and cross examining them for beauty.
The Metronomy remix fills the soothing spaces between the vocals with heavy beats and creates a heavier and more immediate tune that twists insouciance into a dark, bubbling tune. Meanwhile The Black Ghosts add some surges of guitar and softer, squelchy synths, it's a more bass-based version with plenty of drive and real instruments, with even the ache of a double bass or cello.