IRM
Charlotte Gainsbourg · 2009
84 min · 22 tracks · alternative rock
Whimsical synths and haunting melodies weave together with Gainsbourg's ethereal vocals to create a dreamlike soundscape.
Top tracks — play these first
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IRM — The title track encapsulates the album’s essence with its hypnotic rhythms and poetic lyrics exploring themes of introspection and identity, perfectly demonstrating Gainsbourg's unique blend of fragility and strength.
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Heaven Can Wait — This track stands out for its lush production and an infectious chorus that juxtaposes buoyant sounds with darker lyrical themes, showcasing Gainsbourg’s ability to navigate complex emotions.
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Time of the Assassins — With its driving beat and vivid imagery, this song highlights Gainsbourg's narrative prowess while incorporating a sense of urgency, making it one of the most compelling tracks on the album.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends whimsical synths with haunting melodies, showcasing Gainsbourg's unique vocal style but loses some cohesion with its remix tracks.
What we noticed
- The first half of the album features a consistent use of whimsical synths and layered vocal harmonies, creating a dreamlike atmosphere.
- Tracks like 'Heaven Can Wait' and 'IRM' utilize sparse instrumentation, allowing Gainsbourg's ethereal vocals to take center stage.
- The album includes several remixes at the end, which shift the focus from the original compositions to reinterpretations of the material.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
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
- introspective late-night sessions
- layered, dense sonic textures
- short, immersive listening bursts
- contemplative mood exploration
Where this album fits
- Career context
- IRM marks Charlotte Gainsbourg's third studio album, following her self-titled release in 2006. Collaborating closely with Beck, this record represents a significant artistic evolution, showcasing a blend of electronic and indie pop influences that set her apart in the alternative music scene.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Bat for Lashes· Lisa Hannigan· Lana Del Rey
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
Disc 1
- 1 Master's Hands 2:49
- 2 IRM 2:35
- 3 Le Chat du Café des Artistes 4:02
- 4 In the End 2:00
- 5 Heaven Can Wait 2:40
- 6 Me and Jane Doe 3:20
- 7 Vanities 3:38
- 8 Time of the Assassins 2:45
- 9 Trick Pony 2:52
- 10 Greenwich Mean Time 2:25
- 11 Dandelion 3:17
- 12 Voyage 4:04
- 13 La Collectionneuse 5:15
- 14 Looking Glass Blues 2:22
Disc 2
- 1 IRM (Diskjokke remix) 8:31
- 2 Heaven Can Wait (Chris Taylor of Grizzly Bear remix) 2:15
- 3 Heaven Can Wait (Nosaj Thing remix) 3:16
- 4 Heaven Can Wait (Jackson Escalator remix) 7:05
- 5 Time of the Assassins (Matthew Dear remix) 4:15
- 6 Time of the Assassins (Xxxchange remix) 6:06
- 7 Trick Pony (Django Django remix) 4:35
- 8 Trick Pony (Ghost Hunter remix) 4:24
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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