I’m still patiently awaiting the release of Najoua Belyzel‘s upcoming sophomore album, Au Féminin. If I’ve interpreted her latest Facebook post correctly, the album should be hitting shelves sometime in late May, while the second single off the album will either be “Jérémie” or “M.”

“Second” single? I guess “Quand Revient L’été” was just a one-off release…’tis for the best.

And in case you’ve forgotten, this here is why we at MuuMuse love us some Belyzel–the video for her latest single, “La Bienvenue,” which was released on March 30.

DL: Najoua Belyzel – La Bienvenue

Though “La Bienvenue” is still not available in America, click below to hear more from Najoua Belyzel NOW!

STOP WHATEVER YOU’RE DOING–Najoua Belyzel has a new single out.

What’d you say? You don’t know who Najoua Belyzel is?

I feel for you.

Najoua Belyzel is a gorgeous French-pop chanteuse–still somewhat new on the music scene–known for her minimally offensive, religious-themed dance-pop, faithful gay following, and unique vocal ticks. As a friend of mine once remarked about her vocal delivery, “It’s like Shakira‘s phrasing, but not as forced and awkward.” Spot on!

“La Bienvenue” (which basically translates to “Welcome”) is the lead-off single from Belyzel’s second album (if you don’t count the promo tease release of “Viens, Viens” from a few months back.)

The song is much breezier than anything found on her debut, implementing warm, summer melodies and relaxed vocals in place of the more moody synth stylings of songs like “Je Ferme Les Yeux.” But, as per usual in the world of Belyzel, you’ll need not dig much deeper than the lyrics to realize that all is not well:

She’s walking in silence, looking at the floor, she doesn’t dare
Forgetting this missing mother who didn’t love her
She wasn’t welcome, no she wasn’t welcome
She wasn’t welcome, just one more girl

Hey, at least it’s not about a child being molested by a doctor this time.

According to Julien, a French fan (who also graciously provided the translation above!), “La Bienvenue” will be available for digital and physical purchase in March.

And look…There’s even a video!

In the video, Belyzel finds herself wedged within a box. Upon squeezing herself out, she finds herself wearing an upside-down goose, paired with a fierce ass pair of booties.

From there on in, expect some familiar dabblings in fallen angel imagery and the greatest storyline for Britney‘s “Mannequin” ever told. I’m not sure what lesson we learn by the mini-film’s end, though I imagine it has something to do with women’s rights. Or Jesus.

But hey, don’t stop now–There’s album news as well! Au Féminin, the much anticipated follow-up to her debut, is set for release! According to Julien, the album should be available in May.

Below is the tracklisting:

1 La Bienvenue
2 L’Âme Exilée
3 Ma Sainte-Nitouche
4 Hey Hey Hey
5 Quand Revient L’Eté
6 Au Féminin
7 Viola (duet with Marc Lavoine)
8 Quand Revient L’Eté (string quartet)
9 Combien De Fois
10 La Trêve (Acte I)
11 Tout Va Bien
12 Ma Vie N’Est Pas La Tienne
13 Jérémie
14 Née De L’Amour (Acte II)
15 Fille D’Orient Ou D’Occident

DL: Najoua Belyzel – La Bienvenue (Sharebee)

Click above to hear more from Najoua!

And for more information, check out Najoua’s blog (which is entirely in French.) Pretty pictures!

Najoua, je t’aime, ma chérie!

Finally! Najoua Belyzel has returned with a brand new single entitled “Viens, Viens.” If you’re unfamiliar with the name Belyzel, check out my earlier post about her back in the day. She used to be in a pop group, but we like to forget small details like that around here.

The song is a cover of a cover, actually. Originally written in Germany, the title was done over by Marie Laforêt in 1973. And now, given a sleek electro under-pulse and a generous dose of Belyzel’s characteristic yelps, the repackaged song oozes with fragile conviction. I’ve tried to dig through the translated lyrics. From what I gather, it’s searching and poetic. Listen on!

And while you’re at it, check out the song in it’s original form. Well, original covered form.

You know those days where your contacts refuse to be put in easily? And you go to work all squintily and everyone thinks you’re stoned because your eyes are so terribly blood-shot that you refuse to make eye contact and keep giggling at the word “Cheez-It’s?” It’s one of those days.

Also, it’s one of those days where you’ve got Cher’s “Believe” stuck in your head. It’s a bad day.

That’s why I’m doing one of those catch-up posts, and introducing another one of my favorites. Najoua Belyzel is a French artist that I discovered through the dearly missed blog, OxygenChunks. She sings in French (Wow!), and her voice is like an airier version of Alanis Morrisette.

Her second single, “Je Ferme Les Yeux,” is the one I found first. I can’t even explain how obsessed I was with this song. The dark beat is throbbing, yet the lyrics and woeful and forlorn. I love everything about this song, but it’s distinctively Najoua’s vocals that make the song sound so haunting.

“Gabriel,” despite what both the lyrics and Najoua herself may suggest, is about the gays. The song, which was a hit with the gays, is a contemplation about a boy, featuring the lyrics “Are you made for him, or are you made for me?” Okay, so maybe there’s some metaphoric biblical garble thrown in to the song, but at the end of the day, she’s lusting after a mo, and she’s pissed about it.

“Comme Toi,” the third single, is a fun Irish-rock like driven song that is loads of fun to dramatically lip-synch to while in the dark recesses of your room.

Overall, Entre Deux Mondes is a beautiful album. I had it shipped over from France just so I could listen to the few tracks that I hadn’t already heard, and I’m glad that I did. Each track is genuinely haunting. Sort of like when I heard t.A.T.u. for the first time. I highly suggest Najoua to those looking for some darker, haunting beats, woeful vocals, or becoming a snoot and listening to music that isn’t from around here. I am eagerly awaiting her follow up album, due out later in 2008.

Songs will be uploaded later tonight. Enjoy the videos for now!

Please be sure to buy Najoua Belyzel’s Entre Deux Mondes at Amazon.
And you, what do you think?