Avant que l'ombre... (English: Before the Shadow) is the sixth studio album by French pop singer-songwriter Mylène Farmer, released on 4 April 2005, through the label Polydor. Lyrics were written by Mylene herself and production was supervised by Laurent Boutonnat. The albums' genres mainly consist of synth-pop, french-pop, gothic-pop, electronic and pop rock. The album deals with overt themes and lyrics of love, spirituality, faith, identity, self-reflection, and solitude.
Upon release, the album did well commercially; however, its critical reception varies from many mixed reviews. The album debuted at number one on the French Albums Chart and held the top spot for several weeks. It was certified diamond in France by the SNEP (Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique), signifying over 750,000 copies sold, and eventually exceeded 1 million sales worldwide. The album also charted in Belgium (Wallonia) and Switzerland, reinforcing Farmer's strong presence in Francophone countries. Despite its relatively introspective tone and slower tempo compared to her earlier, more dance-oriented works, it resonated deeply with fans. Critics gave the album mixed to positive reviews, with praise for its lyrical depth, polished production, and Farmer's haunting vocal style. The project also gained attention due to its elaborate promotion, including the announcement of a highly anticipated concert residency at Paris-Bercy, her first live performances since 1996.
The album produced five singles, each achieving notable chart success in France and other Francophone regions. The lead single, "Fuck Them All" debuted at number two on the French Singles Chart and was certified silver in France. "Q.I" the second single, reached number seven in France and was the most broadcast French-language song worldwide in 2005. The third single, "Redonne-moi" a slow ballad, peaked at number seven in France. "L'amour n'est rien..." achieved significant success in France, peaking at number seven, and was notably one of the most played songs in Russia in 2006. The final single, "Peut-être toi" reached number three in France and featured an anime-style music video directed by Naoko Kusumi, which was selected for competition at the Anima Mundi International Animation Festival. Collectively, these singles reinforced Farmer's enduring popularity and showcased her willingness to experiment with diverse musical and visual styles.
Background and release Avant que l'ombre... je sais, ne s'abatte à mes pieds Je sais que, je sais que... j'ai aimé — Refrain from "Avant que l'ombre..." that appears on the digipack "Avant que l'ombre" marked Farmer's longest break between studio albums, following "Innamoramento" by exactly six years. As such, the album was, perhaps, the most anticipated of her career. Rumours of the disc began circulating in 2003 when it was revealed that Universal was planning a new release of Farmer for the fourth quarter; however the project turned out to be Farmer's second remix album. By the end of 2004, Universal's President Pascal Nègre confirmed that Farmer would release an album in the following months, stating then that it would be a double album. Persistent rumours continued to circulate including the possibility of duets with artists such as Benjamin Biolay, Diam's and Lara Fabian.Star Academy, May 2002, "Quand Fabian rencontre Farmer..." Devant-soi.com (Retrieved 22 March 2008)
In December 2004,"Platine", 2005, "Mylène Farmer — L'intimité dans l'immensité" Devant-soi.com (Retrieved 20 March 2008) Farmer held a major press conference with longtime collaborator Laurent Boutonnat in which she confirmed the upcoming release of the album, including the title, and announced a series of concerts to coincide at Paris Bercy. After several postponements, the album's release was pinned for 4 April 2005. Contrary to Nègre's previous comments, the album was a single disc with 14 titles, which remains the largest number of songs on a Farmer album, and an additional hidden track entitled "Nobody Knows". On this album, Farmer abandoned the American musicians who had previously worked with her since Anamorphosée, and reunited with several musicians with whom she had worked in her early career.L'Intégrale Mylene Farmer, Erwan Chuberre, 2007, City Ed., p. 47-49 ()
The digipack version, first limited to 2,000 units, is composed of the CD and a DVD containing the making-of of the music video for "Fuck Them All" with commentaries by director Augustin Villaronga. The album was produced in a triptych version, with a central section that unfolds itself in the shape of a cross to discover the booklet in which the order of the lyrics is not the same as that of the songs. The refrain's lyrics of the eponymous song is put forward within the digipack. The various photographs of the booklet were directed by Dominique Isserman,"Platine", No. 121 Devant-soi.com (Retrieved 20 March 2008) and cost about 85,000 euros.Mylène Farmer, le culte — L'envers du décor, Sophie Khairallah, 2007, Why Not Ed., p. 58 Isserman also made the cover's photo, on which Farmer appears lengthened, "asleep as Sleeping Beauty on an ochre and shades of red background". Around the neck, she is wearing a cross made with two matches.Le Dictionnaire des Chansons de Mylène Farmer, Benoît Cachin, 2006, Tournon Ed., p. 48
On 28 March, a competition organized by the NRJ radio allowed the winners to listen to the album in its entirety alongside Pascal Nègre and Mylène Farmer.Mylène Farmer, le culte — L'envers du décor, Sophie Khairallah, 2007, Why Not Ed., p. 99 The Virgin megastore and the Fnac ot the Champs ElyséesL'Humanité, 4 April 2005, "La femme du jour: Mylène Farmer", Anne-Sophie Stamane Devant-soi.com (Retrieved 20 March 2008) also organized a special deal with album's sales after midnight. The album was released twice: first on 4 April in the collector version, and then on 18 April in the traditional version for the general public."Avant que l'ombre... Nouvelle énigme Farmer" Devant-soi.com (Retrieved 20 March 2008)
The album was supported by a series of 13 concerts at Paris-Bercy in January 2006.
Lyrics and music According to Laurent Boutonnat, Avant que l'ombre... is more acoustic and electronic than the previous ones he had produced.Ouest-France (Alençon Orne-Est), December 18,19, 2004, "Mylène Farmer annonce son retour", Michel Troadec Milenia.ifrance.com (Retrieved 22 February 2008)La Dépêche, 4 April 2005, "Mylène Farmer sort enfin de l'ombre" Devant-soi.com (Retrieved 20 March 2008) A newspaper said: "The style is the same, but the sounds evolve: more acoustic sounds mixed with electro and keyboards. Farmer sings with a voice more natural than usual".Zoprack, 2005, "Avant que l'ombre" Devant-soi.com (Retrieved 20 March 2008) Ouest France stated that the album is "a continuation of the singer's discography", but with a "certain calm in the prose" and a "majority of ballads"."Ouest France", 5 April 2005, "Dans le monde sensuel de Mylène Farmer", Michel Troadec Devant-soi.com (Retrieved 20 March 2008) In this album, Farmer's voice is "filled with softness and fragility". For one of the first time, she sings in low notes.
On this album, "Boutonnat opens his production to new instruments": the clarinet (on "Redonne-moi") and the vibraphone (on "Avant que l'ombre...")."Mylène Farmer, l'icône", Jukebox, n°253, p. 8 Devant-soi.com (Retrieved 13 May 2008)
The album deals with the "apprehension of a woman facing the death with after all the satisfaction to have loved". It mainly talks of sex, death and religion."Mylène Farmer fidèle à elle-même", 5 April 2005, Sébastien Catroux Devant-soi.com (Retrieved 20 March 2008) The lyrics are "slightly disturbing", "sometimes important", and there is some "humor"."Chanson — La Fée Mylène", 5 May 2005 Devant-soi.com (Retrieved 20 March 2008) About the album content, Farmer said: "I very selfishly continue to talk about me, my shadows, my lights".Télé Cable Satellite No. 769, 24 January 2005, "Un nouvel album après 5 ans de silence — Mylène Farmer sort de l'ombre" Milenia.ifrance.com (Retrieved 22 February 2008)TV Hebdo, 2 January 2005, "Et Mylène a souri..." Devant-soi.com (Retrieved 20 March 2008)
Critical reception
The journalist Benoît Cachin considered that Avant que l'ombre... was less sophisticated than Farmer's previous albums. He said that among the subjects tackled are religion, literature, sexuality, a hope for a better life, a happy love, revolt, dream and self-mockery. Although he deemed the album "consistent and uniform", he added that it is confusing due to the "particularly abstruse" lyrics, including many puns and literary references unknown to the general public.
Some critics thought the album did not contain any big surprises: "Farmer's voice is still light, fragile, sometimes quavering" to better evoke emotion. The piano gives the tempo but the strings dominate to create "a labyrinthine atmosphere". Caroline Bee believes that the album is too similar to the previous ones and lacks innovation.Mylène Farmer — La part d'ombre, Caroline Bee, Antoine Bioy & Benjamin Thiry, 2005, Archipel Ed., p. 369 The album is a "distressing repetition of her old hits" (Actu02).Actu02, 5 April 2005 Devant-soi.com (Retrieved 20 March 2008) "Disappointing", with "ethereal chords", "songs stretched and similar" (Télé Star).Télé Star, 5 May 2005 Devant-soi.com (Retrieved 20 March 2008) "Her album is not revolutionary. (...) Certain chords are even fuddy-duddy. (...) A mixed success" (Télé 2 Semaines).Télé 2 Semaines, 25 April 2005, "Mylène Farmer sort de l'album" Devant-soi.com (Retrieved 20 March 2008) "Nothing is very surprising nor really new. Always this voice on the wire, at the edge of the crack. Always this dark romanticism bathed in mystical, erotic, and morbid image more or less woolly" (Le Journal du dimanche).Le Journal du dimanche, January 2006, "Avant que l'ombre...", Éric Mandel Devant-soi.com (Retrieved 23 March 2008)
According to Rolling Stone, this album has a "great sweetness" but "ultimately suffers from a major flaw: it is the sixth album of an artist from whom everyone expects too much".Rolling Stone, March 2005 On the whole, the album was well received in the media, particularly by the French newspaper Le Monde which stated: "The singularity of the musical and thematic universe of Mylène Farmer, is not overturned, but refined. (...) The whole aims to a luminous power. (...) [In the lyrics], Mylène Farmer is calmer, almost beaming, melancholy with a smile". Voici qualified Avant que l'ombre... as an "intimate album" and underlined the "quality of the lyrics".
The album was rewarded with the title "Best Album of the Year" in 2005 at NRJ Music Awards.
Commercial performance