Influential French singer-songwriter Jacques Higelin has been active with his folk-rock chansons since the early '70s. A multi-instrumentalist who plays guitar, piano, banjo and more, Higelin can shift gears from a Dylanesque rock 'n' roller on "Paris-New York, New York-Paris" to an aching romanticism on "Ballade pour Izia". Tending toward the theatrical and surreal sides of rock, adding synths, harpsichord, accordion and melodica, Higelin is a chameleon—the cabaret piano of "Champagne" and the Gainsbourg-inflected funk of "Mona Lisa Klaxon" are further proof.