Louise Le Hir: Les Birdies Single Review

How does one review a song sung in a foreign language? Well, what better person to ask than the weeb?

Despite the general consensus, I have never been as fond of French as a romantic language. I don’t think it’s ugly, but especially in song, it really depends on the person speaking (or in this case, singing).

Le Hir is not a bad vocalist by any means. In fact, I found myself quite fond of her vocals, as they may be likened to Sleater-Kinney and other classic rock female singers. But while the melodies of the song aren’t bad, either, I have difficulty deciding whether I like “Les Birdies” or am indifferent towards it.

Other songs I enjoy in foreign languages are accompanied by dynamic changes in both the vocals and the instrumentals. But with “Les Birdies,” I can’t recognize any clear changes in emotion. Of course, some songs can be great being static, but because the instrumentals aren’t anything too special or different on top of the fact that I have no clue what she is singing, the only thing I can really compliment is the “Ba da ba da.” But even that can get old after a while.

I guess the song is okay, but after hearing the same generic tune multiple times, I find myself blindly swaying to it like a repeating video game theme — “Here we go again” — rather than attaching myself to it. The bass is great, and I kind of wish the song followed the intro without kicking in with the keyboards. While the song is a carnival, it’s a feeling like I’m on my seventeenth ride around the carousel rather than enjoying the rest of the attractions.

Other than the general composition of the song, it ends at a strange interval. “Oh, so, that’s it.” I’m not sure what else is to be expected from a two-minute track, but there’s nothing specific for me to latch onto. So although I think Le Hir could make a fine album, “Les Birdies” just isn’t cutting it.

Rating: 2.5/5