Francois Virot – Yes or No

Francois Virot – Yes or No

My all-time favorite instrument (after the glockenspiel) is not an actual instrument. It is the handclap. Or usually, handclaps. Typically used by bands to add a communal “hoedown at the barn” feel to their songs, Francois Virot provides another dimension to the pop standby on his debut solo album, Yes or No.

Virot, originally a drummer for the band Clara Clara, relies heavily on handclaps as the main form of percussion. Upon closer listening, it’s surprising to take note of the bare instrumentation on most tracks – one or two acoustic guitars, handclaps, an occasional maraca (?)— as the songs take on a fleshed out sound thanks to Virot’s infectious energy. On the catchy opener, “Not the One,” the minimalist choice of instruments is used to the fullest, creating a multi-layered, upbeat track that is repetitive and hypnotizing but not remotely boring.

With his stripped down folk pop, Virot has been called “France’s solution to Animal Collective.” Although there are certainly a few similarities, the typical “freak folk” and “noise pop” titles associated with Animal Collective do not necessarily relate to Virot. Rather, he is simply “folk” and “pop,” without the added frills. That’s not to say Virot’s music is not complicated or elaborate. He just does a good job hiding the intricacies behind his songs, leaving the listeners with wonderfully crafted, sparse folk-pop gems.

A prime example of Virot’s handiwork can be seen on the album’s single, “Cascade Kisses.” Featuring nothing but guitars, handclaps, and layered vocals, Virot rhapsodizes about “rare tomatoes” “sky kisses,” and “putting a price on misery.” It’s archetypal bipolar fare, but without the usual clunky bells and whistles (and yes, glockenspiels) tacked on to a lot of current indie pop.

You’d think the lack of variety in instrumentation would get dull after a while (on some of the slower songs, it can get a little sleepy), but overall, Virot offers a number of striking yet simple love (and anti-love) songs. My favorite track, “Where O Where A,” slows things down a bit, but ends with a beautiful instrumental fade-out that has just the right tinge of sadness to make it more than your ordinary pop song. After all, anyone who can make handclaps poignant –and even heartbreaking at times— is worthy of applause.