Francois Virot

Although Francois Virot may call Lyon home, judging by his experiments with shambling percussion and weirdo folk, it appears he would be quite comfortable in Brooklyn. Yes or No sounds uncannily like Sung Tongs-era Animal Collective made sweeter and more accessible. But one crucial ingredient in this LP is the faraway romantic hue that colours the record, expressed most prominently on his whimsical interpretation of Billie Holiday's "I Wish I had You." Only occasionally veering into uber-cutesy territory, Virot skilfully walks the line between restraint and extroversion, both in his playing and lyrically. The silken melody of "Island" runs effortlessly through a gauntlet of primitive rhythms meted out by handclaps and Virot's elastic voice, while the unadorned "Say Fiesta" flutters with understated grace.