The era Christine and the Queens began with Redcar les adorables étoiles was all about defying musical expectations and creating a musical world distinct from any of the project's previous work. Chris described the music from this period as "an operatic gesture." That's a perfect description of Paranoïa, Angels, True Love, an album even more ambitious and overtly theatrical than its predecessor. Like Redcar, it borrows from the mythical, spiritual storytelling of Tony Kushner's Angels in America, but its explorations of loss (Chris was grieving the loss of his mother as well as a breakup while making the album) as a catalyst for becoming feel notably different. Where Redcar swirled together several different styles, Paranoïa concentrates on spacious songs with lengthy passages that seem equally primed for dance numbers or deep contemplation. Chris' masterful ballads make up the introspective heart of the album and provide many of its highlights. Set to a hypnotic trip-hop beat, "Tears Can Be So Soft" is a quietly cathartic testament to sitting with grief; "To Be Honest" and "A Day in the Water" are quintessential examples of Christine and the Queens' luminous synth pop; and the exquisite yearning of "Flowery Days" uses little more than piano and bass to brilliant effect. On moments like these, Paranoïa feels much more naked and lonely than Redcar, but it's one of Chris' most collaborative works. He previously worked with rapper 070 Shake on the single "Body," and their reunion on "True Love" is a standout, blending heartache and sensuality with the effortless warmth that has been one of Chris' greatest strengths since Chaleur Humaine. Paranoïa uses another brilliant pop artist in a decidedly non-pop way: Madonna appears as an angelic artificial intelligence and gives convincingly ethereal spoken-word performances when she visits Chris during his darkest moments ("Angels Crying in My Bed," "I Met an Angel") and epiphanies (the triumphant resolution of "Lick the Light Out"). These aren't the only instances where Chris takes risks on Paranoïa, Angels, True Love. "Track 10" is a striking 11-minute crucible for the album's sorrow, anger, desire, and joy, with a seismic sub-bass driving its transformative ritual of dance; though the choral noise-rock of "He's Been Shining for Ever, Your Son" and the snarling, prowling "Let Me Touch You Once" (another 070 Shake collaboration) are shorter, they're just as uncompromising.
| A1 | Tears Can Be So Soft |
| A2 | Marvin Descending |
| A3 | A Day In The Water |
| A4 | Angels Crying In My Bed |
| A5 | Flowery Days |
| B1 | True Love |
| B2 | Aimer, Puis Vivre |
| B3 | Lick The Light Out |
| B4 | To Be Honest |
