As she made clear on her 2004 breakout single “Ma Philosophie”, Amel Bent has only one guiding principle: to accept herself as she really is. This freedom has led the Paris-born singer along a blossoming path from her early days as a Nouvelle Star semi-finalist to one of France’s biggest pop acts. But above all, it’s allowed her to confidently embrace a wide-ranging sound. It’s defined as much by the richly orchestrated R&B of “Le mal de toi” and “A 20 Ans” as the soaring, shiny ballads “Ma chance” and “Cette idée-là”—and the grittier rock-edged tracks that amplify her natural charisma.