Thomas Fersen emerged in the early '90s as a master of quirky cabaret pop. Albums like Le Jour du Poisson (1997) and Qu4tre (1999) brimmed with vivacious violins, playful piano rolls and cinematic storytelling shot through with his cigarette-stained voice. But Fersen's once whimsical sound has toughened up considerably over the years: his 2013 album with backing band The Ginger Accident (titled Thomas Fersen & The Ginger Accident) assumes a more soulful strut, complete with blasts of brass, sweeping orchestration and chain-gang backing vocals.