Under the Plastic Ga(u)ze: Voice, Race and Corporeality in Yseult

The works of French singer Yseult (b. 1994) are bound in an intricate tension between voice and body. Rooted in the traditions of variété and chanson française , her music challenges themes of representation and pushes musical boundaries. Through an analysis of three key songs— Corps (2019), Rien à prouver (2019) and Bad Boy (2020)—I introduce the concept of the “plastic ga(u) ze”, a framework that connects visual and auditory filters. This concept, paired with a timbral analysis, offers a fresh perspective on how listeners engage with Yseult’s music, emphasizing the interplay of sound, image and identity in her work. By foregrounding the materiality of her voice and the physicality of her body, Yseult redefines traditional paradigms of music and representation, urging audiences to listen more critically and intimately to the vibratory and performative dimensions of her artistry.