YSEULT for Glamcult #142, the ANIMA issue

From the moment Yseult steps on set, her fearless, unfiltered energy leaves the team stunned. The French artist is known for her merge of chanson française, R&B, pop with a punk-ish je ne sais quoi. That’s what Yseult’s new album, MENTAL, delivers: a mosaic of the chanteuse from every angle — divisive, sexy, and sweaty. Draped in the intensity of a fighter’s aesthetic, tape around her fingers, bandages wrapped around her body, she stands in defiance. Each image reflects the unapologetic approach of an artist who refuses to conform. Watching Yseult experiment with the clothes, working them back to her unmistakable visual identity, is a captivating display of playfulness. Her experimental approach to the shoot speaks volumes about her unwavering confidence, as she dives into every possibility and pose, unshaken and wholly herself.

Barely out of her teens, Yseult Onguenet has already made a name for herself on France’s reality TV show Nouvelle Star, launching her into the public eye back in 2014, and… it could have ended there, with Yseult drifting into the fog of forgotten artists. But it didn’t. Yseult distinguishes herself with a sound that is both raw and visceral, embodying the essence of a triple threat — as a singer, songwriter, and producer. She rapidly realised that it takes more than just success on TV to build a career. Therefore, Yseult pulled herself out of the limelight to hone in on her artistry and came back with Rouge and Noir in 2019. The two EPs clearly establish her as one of the strongest newcomers on the French music scene, leaving us completely enamoured by her ballad Corps. A melody that is made up of just a few piano notes delicately highlights Yseult’s warm and moving voice, as it oscillates between deep tones and soaring lyricism. The song expresses her desire to break free from the judgment she has received about her appearance and skin colour. One lyric says “Le regard des gens j’en ai que faire, qui sont-ils pour me juger?” translating to “I don’t care about people’s stares, who are they to judge me?” This fearless honesty defines Yseult’s approach to both music and life. From mental health to racism, she is unafraid to be both vulnerable and critical, refusing to soften her message to fit expectations and staying true to herself. “I never wanted to fit into a mould or apologise for existing. So I speak, I sing, I scream when I have to. The industry might try to censor or soften things, but I’m here to disturb, to shake things up,” she affirms. From there, she harnessed this drive to step fully into her power, she created her own company and thus became CEO of her record label named I HAVE NO FUCKING IDEA. When asked about what it’s like to be your own boss, Yseult replies, “It’s the best and worst decision of my life (laughs). Total freedom, but also a huge mental load. But at least I answer to no one.” This freedom, which allows her to have full ownership of her work and take the lead in her videos and recordings, has borne fruit, as her latest project, MENTAL, delivers bop after bop.

Unexpected and explosive, it’s all in the title, Yseult’s MENTAL delivers an audacious sonic landscape: “I want my existence to show that we can break everything down and rebuild it our own way.” The album is unrelenting in its emotional intensity as it pulses with heavy, distorted basslines, crashing percussion, and industrial guitar riffs that channel the energy of rock into her deeply personal storytelling. It’s this uncompromising approach that makes the project feel so deeply personal and urgent. Yseult embraces this risk as she reflects, “I’ve always been drawn to the power and urgency of rock. There’s something visceral about it, something that explodes without asking for permission. I needed that energy to express what I had to say.” Singing in both English and French, she crafts a deeply emotive and strikingly contrasted listening experience, exploring all 8 primary emotions. “It’s a musical therapy session where I lay bare all my wounds and victories.” Every song serves as an outlet, each one embodying “an emotional language that allows me to express rage, love, pain, and resilience.” On the first single SUICIDE, her resonant voice cracks, shatters, as she sings with total abandonment about a particularly dark night of the soul. The heavy subject matter is formulated in a cry for help, quite literally represented in the lyrics, “Can someone help me, please?” Against a backdrop of eerie piano, frantic drumming, and dramatic vocals, the track grips us from the depths of despair. On a completely different wavelength, in the music video for BITCH YOU COULD NEVER, Yseult embodies the role of an office manager, making a grand entrance as she struts down a hallway in a slick all-black outfit. As for the rest of the employees of the company, they deliver a brilliantly chaotic display of unhinged workplace antics, reminiscent of The Office. 

While her latest album doesn’t have any features, Yseult has always embraced the strength of collaboration. When asked what she looks for in a creative partner, she shares, “It’s all about soul and energy. It has to click, it has to make sense. I work with people who understand my vision and who dare as much as I do.” Notably, with the release of Alibi alongside Sevdaliza and Pabllo Vittar, a powerful anthem celebrating the divine feminine. The track quickly goes viral, allowing Yseult’s journey to continue to unfold on the international stage, the sound appearing on TikTok with every other scroll. “It’s a dangerous game,” Yseult expresses. “It can push artists to the top, but it can also trap them in fleeting trends. You have to learn how to navigate it without losing yourself.” It is this very momentum that has locally propelled her to the forefront of the chanson française scene, making her Spotify’s most-listened-to French artist at the moment. We ask Yseult whether she sees a difference in how her artistry is received in France compared to elsewhere. She remarks: “Abroad, there’s a bit more openness on certain things, especially in terms of diversity in the music industry. In France, things are moving, but there’s still work to do.” Yseult’s relentless work has paid off, earning the recognition she truly deserves, she was invited to close the Paris Summer Olympics — breaking new ground with each milestone.
Yseult’s creative expression wraps around her like a shield, transforming into a weapon of empowerment. This philosophy transcends her music, extending into her fashion, where her sense of self is articulated through every garment. As she states, “fashion is armour, expression, a playground. I love experimenting, breaking codes, imposing my own vision.” In this intersection between sound and style, she finds herself in a state of experimentation, blending influences from a myriad of genres and visual codes. Yseult forges her own path with intention as the first plus-size model to ever grace a Balenciaga runway (took them long enough!). She continues to be a passionate advocate for better representation and inclusivity within the industry. “For so long, people told me my body didn’t fit the standards. Now, I take up space, and I do it with pride.” During the just-concluded fashion month, the vocal powerhouse had all eyes on her at the Givenchy show during Paris Fashion Week. Yseult gave the power suit a new meaning by elevating the look with her signature crisp-cut bangs and a retro pair of black aviators, blending sophistication with a flair of mystery. Posing front row alongside Devyn Garcia, Alex Consani and Raye, the event conjured a beautiful constellation of muses and friends as they celebrated Sarah Burton’s highly anticipated debut at the French fashion house. Yseult highlights the impact Burton has had on her modeling career, notably with appearances on the runway in two shows and two campaigns under Burton’s direction at Alexander McQueen. Their mutual admiration is palpable, as both women consistently support and elevate one another by showing up and showing out.

When it comes to sound, Yseult has always aimed for something ambitious and fierce, made for stadiums. With the strong presence of electric guitars on tracks like STUPID(E) and CUTE, her music demands energy. This bold sound is about to come to life on stage as she kicks off the first leg of her MENTAL French tour in Lyon. She is tirelessly rehearsing, ready to give it her all on stage. When asked about her tour highlights, it quickly becomes clear that her performance is her top priority: “So many crazy moments… But honestly, it’s the stage that fuels me the most.” The rest of her European tour dates are yet to be announced, but one thing is certain: this summer, you’ll have the chance to catch her on some of the biggest festival stages, including Primavera Sound in Barcelona, We Love Green in Paris, Lido Festival in London — and, closer to Glamcult’s home base, Down the Rabbit Hole in Beuningen. 

As Yseult sets out, she carries a sincere message to the world: “I want to dare people to be themselves, without fear, without apology.” Her stance is mirrored in both her lyrics and career: as a manager, producer, and artistic director of her label, nothing appears beyond her reach. She is a living testament to the beauty of authenticity, unafraid to stand in her truth. Yseult is always where we least expect her, keeping us on our toes. Oh, and just to make sure: it’s pronounced EEE-zeult. Yes, EEE-zeult. Remember that.