What makes & by Julien Doré notable?

The album debuted at number one on the French Albums Chart and was met with positive critical acclaim for its innovative sound and lyrical depth. It showcased Doré's evolution as an artist, influencing a wave of contemporary French pop artists seeking to blend traditional chanson with modern pop sensibilities. Released on October 14, 2016, & marked Julien Doré's fourth studio album and his first venture with the label Columbia. This release followed his successful album Løve (2013), which had solidified his position in the French pop scene. With this album, Doré displayed artistic maturity, experimenting with more varied musical influences while maintaining his signature poetic lyricism.

& works well if you're into steady, consistent energy levels, long, immersive listening sessions and introspective and reflective moods.

How many songs are on &?

& has 13 tracks, running approximately 51 minutes.

Released 10 years ago today

&

Julien Doré · 2016

51 min · 13 tracks · pop music

A lush blend of introspective lyrics and melodic pop textures, evoking a sense of wanderlust and emotional depth.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Le Lac — This track features haunting melodies paired with evocative lyrics that reflect on nostalgia and longing, encapsulating the album's emotional core.
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Coco Câline — A standout moment on the album, this track combines playful instrumentation with tender lyrics, highlighting Doré's ability to balance whimsy and vulnerability.
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Sublime & silence — This song showcases Doré’s lyrical prowess and introspection, exploring themes of silence amidst chaos, making it emblematic of his artistic vision.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

59 /100

Treeline

Higher than 57% of albums we've rated

The album showcases strong writing and production but lacks a standout identity among its peers.

What we noticed

The first half of the album features a consistent mid-tempo pace, while the second half introduces more varied tempos and arrangements.
Several tracks incorporate layered vocal harmonies that build in intensity, particularly in 'Le Lac' and 'Eden'.
The closing track, 'De mes sombres archives', features a gradual fade-out that leaves an unresolved feeling, contrasting with the more conclusive earlier tracks.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 6/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 7/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

steady, consistent energy levels
long, immersive listening sessions
introspective and reflective moods
nostalgic and yearning emotions

Where this album fits

Career context: Released on October 14, 2016, & marked Julien Doré's fourth studio album and his first venture with the label Columbia. This release followed his successful album Løve (2013), which had solidified his position in the French pop scene. With this album, Doré displayed artistic maturity, experimenting with more varied musical influences while maintaining his signature poetic lyricism.
Stylistic neighbors: Thomas Azier· Mika· Vianney