Country: France
While Pride Month may be officially over, the stories and creative arts of the LGBTQ+ community continue around the world. One talented voice I’m happy to spotlight today is French harpist and singer-songwriter Kevin Le Pennec. On his latest album, Coming Out, he shares uplifting songs exploring love, identity, and the freedom to be oneself. Of course, if you don’t speak French (which sadly I don’t, despite taking six years of it in school), it may be hard for the messages of these songs to reach you.
Even if that’s the case, the mix of harp-driven folk and elegant pop music in these songs needs no translation. Songs like “Deux Pommiers” are given a haunting quality by Le Pennec’s harp melody, while his vocals weave choral harmonies around his playing that give an air of Simon & Garfunkel. “L’Amour D’un Cordonnier” is a lovely pop-leaning song, with Le Pennec’s harp dancing lightly around his vocals with a sing-song rhythm. Its spritely bounce could inspire dancing as much as clapping along.
And the aptly named “Pride Flag” is an elegant, classical composition the is stripped-down yet sweeping. With exquisite production that lets each harp string resonate, the song both calms and empowers, even if you don’t understand a word.
Listen to some of Kevin Le Pennec‘s songs in our World Watch Playlist.
The Indy Review 