Amour plastique

"Amour plastique" translates to "Plastic Love," which hints at a love that might be perceived as artificial or ephemeral, yet the lyrics convey a profound and all-consuming passion. The song delves into the intoxicating and often overwhelming nature of young love, characterized by a complete loss of self in the other person. The repeated lines, "Dans mon esprit tout divague, je me perds dans tes yeux, je me noie dans la vague de ton regard amoureux" ("In my mind everything wanders, I get lost in your eyes, I drown in the wave of your loving gaze"), encapsulate this theme of surrender to the beloved. The song explores the duality of this intense connection, portraying it as both a source of sublime beauty and profound, melancholic vulnerability. The reference to "Roméo" frames the romance in epic, almost tragic terms, while the plea "Aime-moi jusqu'à ce que les roses fanent" ("Love me until the roses wither") expresses a desire for a love that endures, even in the face of inevitable decay. Ultimately, the song captures the dizzying, dreamlike, and sometimes sorrowful experience of being so deeply in love that the boundaries of the self begin to blur.

The narrative of the song unfolds as a deeply personal and somewhat melancholic reflection on an all-encompassing love. The singer's mind is in a state of constant wandering, completely captivated and lost within their lover's gaze, which is described as a wave in which they are willingly drowning. There's an intense desire for a profound connection that transcends the physical; the singer yearns for their lover's soul to wander over their skin. This sentiment is elevated by a romantic, almost classical, allusion, casting the lover as a 'Romeo' and the singer as a 'flower' or 'woman' within their heart. The sense of identity becomes intertwined with the other person, with the singer feeling as though they are merely their lover's shadow or name, a haunting and constant presence in their shared, slowly animated darkness.

As night falls, a more sorrowful tone emerges. The singer confesses to crying tears that stream down their cheeks, revealing that thoughts of their beloved are most potent when the day ends and their personal demons surface from a bottomless abyss. This introduces a darker, more vulnerable side to their love. A plea is made for this love to endure until the roses wither and their souls sink into a deep limbo, suggesting a desire for a love that lasts until, and perhaps beyond, the very end. The imagery of watching their lover dance in the darkness of the night is a recurring, poignant scene. This act of observation is filled with a love so intense it feels like an 'avalanche' in the singer's lost heart. Amidst this emotional intensity, there's a moment of questioning and uncertainty – 'Who are you? Where are you?' – hinting at a sense of being lost not just in love, but also in the identity of the person they adore. The recurring refrain reinforces the central theme of being utterly lost in the beloved's eyes and the overwhelming nature of their loving gaze, a beautiful and poignant surrender to the power of love.

"Amour plastique" was the debut single from the French synth-pop duo Videoclub, formed in Nantes, France, in 2018 by Adèle Castillon and Matthieu Reynaud. At the time of the song's creation, Castillon was already a known personality through her YouTube channel, and Reynaud, the son of a musician, was honing his skills in music production. The song was written by Esteban Capron and composed by Matthieu Reynaud. Reynaud had composed the music for "Amour plastique" after skipping sports class and sent the demo to Castillon in an attempt to woo her, asking her to sing on it. The track was produced by Matthieu Reynaud and his father, Régis Reynaud, who also served as the recording and mixing engineer. The song was released in September 2018 and quickly gained international attention, becoming a viral success. This initial success launched the duo's career, leading to the release of their album "Euphories" in 2021. The duo, who were a couple, disbanded in March 2021 following the end of their romantic relationship.

The rhyme and rhythm of "Amour plastique" contribute significantly to its hypnotic and dreamlike quality. The song's lyrics do not follow a strict, consistent rhyme scheme, but rather utilize a more fluid and poetic structure with instances of assonance and consonance that create a sense of cohesion. For example, in the opening lines, "divague," "vague," and "amoureux" create a pleasing sonic connection. The rhythm of the vocal delivery is often syncopated against the steady, mid-tempo beat of the drum machine, creating a laid-back and conversational feel in the verses. This contrasts with the more soaring and rhythmically straightforward chorus. The interplay between the lyrical rhythm and the musical backdrop enhances the song's feeling of being swept away by emotion. The consistent tempo and the repetitive nature of the bassline and synthesizer melodies create a trance-like effect, mirroring the feeling of being mesmerized by a lover.

"Amour plastique" employs a range of stylistic techniques, both musically and lyrically, to create its distinctive, nostalgic atmosphere.

• Musical Style: The song is a prime example of synth-pop with a strong 1980s influence. This is achieved through the use of vintage-sounding synthesizers, a prominent, driving bassline, and electronic drum machine beats. The overall production has a dreamy and slightly lo-fi quality, enhancing the sense of nostalgia.
• Vocal Delivery: Adèle Castillon's vocal performance is characterized by a breathy, almost spoken-word delivery in the verses, which contrasts with the more melodic and sung chorus. This creates a dynamic texture and adds to the song's intimate and confessional feel.
• Lyrical Repetition: The repetition of the chorus serves as an anchor, reinforcing the central theme of being lost in a lover's gaze. This recurring motif makes the song highly memorable and emotionally resonant.
• Imagery: The lyrics are filled with vivid imagery, such as "divaguant sur ma peau" ("wandering on my skin") and "nos corps dans le sombre animés lentement" ("our bodies in the dark slowly animated"), which create a sensual and cinematic quality.

"Amour plastique" became a significant viral hit, largely propelled by its popularity on platforms like TikTok and YouTube. Its nostalgic, 80s-inspired synth-pop sound resonated with a global audience, leading to its widespread use in fan edits, short videos, and other online content. The song's success helped to popularize the niche genre of French synth-pop and brought international attention to the duo, Videoclub. Despite being their debut single, it remains their most recognizable track and has been featured on numerous playlists celebrating contemporary French pop music. The aesthetic of the music video, with its retro fashion and dreamy visuals, also contributed to its appeal and influenced a certain online subculture that romanticizes vintage styles. The song's themes of intense, all-consuming young love have made it an anthem for a generation navigating romance in the digital age.

The lyrics of "Amour plastique" are rich with symbolism and metaphors that enhance its romantic and melancholic themes.

• The Gaze as a Wave: The line "Je me noie dans la vague de ton regard amoureux" ("I drown in the wave of your loving gaze") is a powerful metaphor for the overwhelming and irresistible nature of the beloved's affection. It suggests a complete and willing surrender to the power of their love.
• Plastic Love: The title itself, "Amour plastique," can be interpreted in several ways. It could suggest a love that is modern and perhaps perceived as artificial or superficial, yet the lyrical content portrays deep and genuine emotion. This contrast creates a layer of complexity.
• Romeo: The reference to "Roméo" is a direct allusion to Shakespeare's tragic hero, which immediately frames the love story in a context of grand, all-consuming, and perhaps ill-fated romance.
• Withering Roses: The plea "Aime-moi jusqu'à ce que les roses fanent" ("Love me until the roses wither") uses the classic symbol of the rose to represent love and beauty, but acknowledges its ephemeral nature. It's a call for a love that lasts until the very end of its natural life.

The most prominent recurring phrase in "Amour plastique" is the chorus: "Dans mon esprit tout divague, je me perds dans tes yeux, je me noie dans la vague de ton regard amoureux." This refrain serves as the emotional and thematic core of the song, perfectly encapsulating the feeling of being utterly consumed by love. Its repetition throughout the song acts as a powerful hook, making the sentiment both memorable and impactful. Another recurring motif is the imagery of darkness and night, as seen in lines like "Et la nuit je pleure des larmes" ("And at night I cry tears") and "Et la nuit, quand tout est sombre, je te regarde danser" ("And at night, when all is dark, I watch you dance"). This repeated setting of the night creates an atmosphere of intimacy, vulnerability, and introspection, suggesting that these intense emotions are most potent when the world is quiet and dark.