A sweeping mix of vocal talent and creative wit catapulted Angèle Van Laeken to the top ranks of francophone pop. Her phenomenally successful debut album, 2018’s Brol, floats between classic chanson storytelling and playful indie pop with touches of reggae and R&B. It includes “Balance ton quoi”, a deceptively sweet-sounding synth-pop earworm which on closer inspection reveals a sharp commentary on everyday sexism. And taking in collabs with dance-pop A-lister Dua Lipa and rapper Damso, straight-talking Angèle is developing a mighty pop arsenal that captures the pulse of her times.