Pour Mes Francophones Mix

They say listening to lyrics helps you learn a language best.

Whether you're familiar with the French language or just beginning to appreciate its charms, this mix is a jambalaya of flavors from L'Hexagone. With bits of yé-yé pop, funky soul, psychedelic rock and distinguished jazz, it's evident that the French have conquered it all, musically speaking.

I grew up bilingual, speaking Romanian and English at home with my parents. My love for Romance languages cannot be overstated. Anytime I hear someone speaking with that cadence my ears perk up. In high school I took some French classes and it clicked immediately on a sonic level. I am practically illiterate in Romanian, having never learned how to read or write it, but French bridged the gap to the written word for me. It revealed the broader context of Latin roots and showed me how everything in language was connected in a more general sense. Later on in my 20s, I fell in love with the unique words and sounds of Serge Gainsbourg and it was a wrap for me: I began to adore French music. If this is new territory for you, I hope this mix sets your imagination free as well. Santé!