Zaz’s Triumphant Return: From Street Singer to Self-Forgiveness with New Album
PARIS, FRANCE – Fifteen years after captivating the world with “Ode Manouche à la Liberté,” French musical icon Zaz is back, and she’s sharing a story far more profound than any song she’s written before. The artist, who has amassed 5 million album sales and a staggering 2 billion streams, is releasing a new album on the independent Parisian label Early or Later, marking a significant shift and a deeply personal chapter in her career. This isn’t just a comeback; it’s a reconciliation – with herself, and with the world.
A Decade of Silence, A Lifetime of Reflection
Known internationally for her voice often compared to the legendary Edith Piaf, and her time as a coach on the popular program The Voice, Zaz has been largely out of the spotlight. But her absence wasn’t inactivity. It was a period of intense self-examination, spurred by a health crisis and a reckoning with past struggles. Speaking to AFP, Zaz revealed a candid account of battling perfectionism, addiction, and a childhood marked by instability – experiences she now openly addresses in her new work.
From Crutches to Clarity: The Turning Point
The catalyst for this transformation? A bout with COVID-19. “I caught the covid, I did a three-day fast so I stopped drinking, smoking, it had a big impact,” Zaz explained. This wasn’t simply about breaking physical dependencies; it was about dismantling the emotional “crutches” she’d relied on for years. “I had festive alcohol but often I went into the wall. By stopping it all, I respected myself, I recognized myself, I valued myself.” This newfound self-respect became the foundation for the album, which opens with the powerfully vulnerable track, “I Forgive.”
Forgiving the Past, Embracing Imperfection
“I had a complicated story in childhood, I was in a home, I was fired from college,” Zaz shared, revealing a past she’d previously kept private. “Everything was built on very bank and very destructive bases.” This honesty isn’t just brave; it’s a deliberate act of defiance against a culture that often demands perfection. Zaz acknowledges the paradoxes within herself – the desire to help others while simultaneously struggling with her own limitations. She recalls a moment early in her career when she was pressured to compromise her artistic integrity for financial gain, singing a song with lyrics she didn’t believe in. “I didn’t say I didn’t want money, I said it was not my engine.”
Beyond Superheroism: Finding Joy in a Troubled World
Zaz’s philanthropic efforts, channeled through her association Zazimut, demonstrate a long-standing commitment to making a difference. However, she realized that constantly striving to “save the world” was unsustainable. “I realized that I wanted to be a superhero and that it was not working. I was running out.” The new album reflects this shift, embracing a softer, more benevolent approach. “The basis is to relearn how to love yourself,” she says. “It is almost a political choice to be in joy. Because it’s so easy to sink.”
A New Chapter, A Renewed Purpose
Zaz’s return isn’t just about a new album; it’s about a new way of being. It’s a testament to the power of self-acceptance, the importance of vulnerability, and the courage to confront one’s past. Her performance at the Francofolies New York “Tribute to Edith Piaf” in 2013 hinted at the depth of her artistry, but this new chapter promises to reveal a Zaz more authentic, more resilient, and more deeply connected to herself than ever before. This is a story that resonates far beyond the music charts, offering a powerful message of hope and healing in a world desperately in need of both. Stay tuned to archyde.com for further updates on Zaz’s album release and exclusive interviews.
