Essential middle of the road listening

The albums that define middle of the road.

Our picks for where to start with middle of the road — with a one-line read on why each one matters.

The middle of the road essentials

Twenty-four picks. Press play on any of them.

Qui ?

Charles Aznavour

Qui ?

A melodic tapestry of romantic longing woven through rich orchestration and Aznavour's emotive vocals.

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Paris — Palais des Congrès: Intégrale du spectacle

Charles Aznavour

Paris — Palais des Congrès: Intégrale du spectacle

A heartfelt blend of chanson and jazz, celebrating love and nostalgia with Aznavour's rich baritone.

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Elles & Lui

Alain Chamfort

Elles & Lui

A melodic blend of introspective lyrics and lush arrangements that evoke a nostalgic French charm.

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Player

M. Pokora

Player

A vibrant blend of contemporary R&B and pop, infused with catchy hooks and danceable rhythms.

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Mise à jour

M. Pokora

Mise à jour

A vibrant fusion of pop and electronic dance beats that captures the pulse of contemporary French music.

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Jane Birkin/Serge Gainsbourg

Serge Gainsbourg

Jane Birkin/Serge Gainsbourg

A provocative blend of lush orchestration and playful, suggestive lyrics that redefine pop's boundaries.

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Rock Around the Bunker

Serge Gainsbourg

Rock Around the Bunker

A provocative blend of rock and chanson that confronts historical trauma with dark humor and biting satire.

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Le concert

Vianney

Le concert

A heartfelt blend of acoustic melodies and poignant lyrics that capture life's complexities.

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Idées blanches

Vianney

Idées blanches

Intimate storytelling unfolds over delicate melodies, capturing the nuances of love and heartache in a contemporary French chanson style.

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The Barbara Dickson Album

Barbara Dickson

The Barbara Dickson Album

A blend of soft pop melodies and emotive vocal delivery that captures the essence of 1980s mainstream music.

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Gold

Barbara Dickson

Gold

Richly orchestrated pop melodies intertwine with Barbara Dickson's emotive vocals, creating a timeless listening experience.

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Sans plus attendre

Axelle Red

Sans plus attendre

A blend of poignant melodies and introspective lyrics infused with a French pop sensibility.

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À Tâtons

Axelle Red

À Tâtons

A warm blend of pop and chanson, infused with introspective lyrics and rich melodic textures.

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Tant que rien ne m'arrête

Claudio Capéo

Tant que rien ne m'arrête

A vibrant blend of heartfelt lyrics and catchy melodies that evoke both nostalgia and hope.

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Claudio Capéo

Claudio Capéo

Claudio Capéo

A vibrant blend of folk and chanson, filled with heartfelt melodies and evocative storytelling.

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Utopie d'occase

Zebda

Utopie d'occase

A vibrant blend of eclectic rhythms and socially conscious lyrics that pulse with the energy of modern France.

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Second Tour

Zebda

Second Tour

A vibrant blend of French pop and world rhythms, filled with socially conscious lyrics and infectious melodies.

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