Music Review: B.I.P.P.P.: French Synthwave 1979-85

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As bands like Britain’s Depeche Mode established synth pop as a commercially viable new-wave style in the early ’80s, their Gallic sympathizers took note. Although none of the underground artists on this charming compilation attracted much attention back then (one of their releases originally sold as few as 50 copies), these no-budget recordings are thoroughly accessible today. An outfit called Comix echoes Devo’s twitchy vibe, while Les Visiteurs du Soir recall the somber beauty of early Human League, and Act suggests a frisky, ZZ Top electro-boogie. However cheesy the sounds, the playfulness of B.I.P.P.P. is simply irresistible.