Nouvelle Chanson (, meaning "New Song"), derived from the French expression
nouvelle scène française, sometimes
anglicized as
New Chanson, is a
musical genre of Chanson which emerged in France in the 90s and developed in the 2000s. This genre takes inspiration from such forefathers of French Chanson as
Jacques Brel,
Georges Brassens or
Barbara (notably none of them recognized in mastermind
Léo Ferré's legacy), albeit in a more soft-pop music style. However, the principal influences appear to be rockier artists such as
Serge Gainsbourg or
Brigitte Fontaine. Principal French exponents of Nouvelle Chanson include artists such as
Benjamin Biolay,
Émilie Simon,
Coralie Clément,
Keren Ann,
Françoiz Breut,
Olivia Ruiz, and
Camille. The term Chanson Nouveau is also used, and as a developing genre, there is considerable disagreement even in France about who belongs in this genre and how it is to be described.