Bernard Lavilliers refuses to take the easy way out: rather than simply revamping his repertoire, he offers a genuine artistic reinterpretation. With “Métamorphose”, he revisits fourteen tracks spanning nearly half a century of creative work, from “Le Stéphanois” to recent socially conscious songs like “La Bandiera Rossa”. The entire collection is reimagined through a rich yet subtle orchestration, conducted by Cyrille Aufort, a specialist in cinematic atmospheres.

Far from being a mere “symphonic” album, “Métamorphose” blends genres with finesse. The orchestra acts as a delicate frame around the vocals and melodies, without ever distorting the essence of Lavilliers’ sound: a commanding guitar, muted percussion, and a velvety bass. This new approach brings renewed intensity to tracks like “On The Road Again,” “Traffic,” and “Betty,” revealing a voice that is more intimate, more serene, yet still deeply expressive.

The album also highlights the artist’s activist and nomadic spirit. His socially conscious lyrics take on new hues, drawing from bossa nova, jazz, tango, and world music. Lavilliers carries this momentum forward with “La bandiera rossa,” a previously unreleased track carrying a clear message: social commitment remains essential.

The album closes with “L’espoir” and is accompanied by a collector’s edition featuring tracks recorded in 2006 during the show “Lavilliers chante Ferré”.