His breakthrough album, "Rose Kennedy", is a concept album about the Kennedy family - America's "royalty". However, one of Biolay's idols is Serge Gainsbourg, and this influence shows in the album.

The music is beautiful, melancholic, nostalgic. A trip worth making. The lyrics are absolutely beautiful too.

Keep an eye out for this promising young artists. If you like him, check out Serge Gainsbourg, Keren Ann, and Isabelle Boulay (Biolay produced some songs on her "Mieux qu'ici bas" album).

Benjamin Biolay has constructed not only a memorable debut, but rather a truly remarkable album. "Rose Kennedy" waves a thick tapestry of beautiful melodies with countless references to the Kennedys and Marilyn Monroe. It's all done in quintessentially French taste, and this is why it succeeds.

Biolay has studied Gainsbough (i.e. "Histoire de Melody Nelson"); and he, too, makes apt use of the orchestra, particularly strings. Biolay also possesses a beautiful voice, which is not often the case with great writers.

The whole album is wonderful, but one of songs that stands out is the dreamy opening track, 'Novembre Toute l'Annee.' A great opener is a vital to introducing a great album, and this does the trick. Other standouts include 'La Monotonie,' 'Los Angeles,' and the title track. I suspect Biolay will be writing and performing intelligent and beautiful music for a long time.