French
Chanson, yé-yé, French pop and library music — the most stylish bins in the store. French vinyl at Wax Trax.
French Vinyl Records
French records have a particular magic — a sense of style that runs from Serge Gainsbourg's smoky provocations to the bright bounce of '60s yé-yé pop (France Gall, Françoise Hardy) to the cinematic French library music that crate-diggers and producers have been quietly looting for years. Import pressings carry a sleeve aesthetic that's worth the price of admission alone. This is a small section that punches well above its weight.
What You'll Find Here
Chanson, yé-yé and French pop, library and soundtrack music, and assorted French imports and reissues, on LP. If you've fallen down the Gainsbourg rabbit hole, welcome — there's a lot more down here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do I start with French vinyl?
Serge Gainsbourg's Histoire de Melody Nelson is the consensus gateway — lush, strange, and endlessly influential. From there, yé-yé pop and French library music open up fast.
What is "yé-yé"?
The bright, bouncy French pop of the early-mid '60s, sung largely by young women (France Gall, Françoise Hardy) — the name comes from the "yeah yeah" of the rock it borrowed from.
Do I need French to enjoy it?
Nope. The style and melody carry it. Plenty of our French-vinyl devotees don't parle a word.