Les Chants Magnétiques (Magnetic Fields) by Jean-Michel Jarre

Les Chants Magnétiques, known in English as Magnetic Fields, is the 1981 album by French electronic composer Jean-Michel Jarre. I came to it late, long after its release, drawn by the warmth people kept ascribing to Jarre's early synthesiser work. It is built as a suite of numbered parts, instrumental throughout, with no words to lean on. That openness, the way the music simply unfolds, is what held me.

Why listen?

The sound is pure analogue electronics, sequencers ticking under broad, melodic synth lines. The production is clean and forward-looking for its day, and it still sounds spacious now. There are no lyrics, so the moods carry the meaning, by turns playful, vast, and a little melancholy. There is a clear shape across the parts, a long opening that wanders, then shorter pieces that brighten and dance. It is music that asks you to drift rather than follow.

Favourite song: Les Chants Magnétiques Part 2

This is the bright, hummable centre of the record, the part most people remember. A simple synth melody rides a busy sequencer line and refuses to leave your head.

The piece feels like watching a machine come to life and find, to its own surprise, that it can sing. It reminds me of the steady rhythm of a long walk, when your feet find a pace and the miles begin to pass on their own. There is real joy in a pattern that simply keeps moving, carrying you forward without effort.

Key takeaway

Magnetic Fields is a warm, melodic landmark of early electronic music. A fine place to start with Jarre if you missed him the first time, as I did.

Tracklist

• Les Chants Magnétiques Part 1
• Les Chants Magnétiques Part 2
• Les Chants Magnétiques Part 3
• Les Chants Magnétiques Part 4
• Les Chants Magnétiques Part 5 (La Dernière Rumba)

Details

Listen on

• Apple Music
• Amazon
• Spotify

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