Is being/sounding French the newest trend?

I think the amount of interest in the French right now is a continuation of that which has been going on for a couple of years, but there's certainly been a cumulative effect. While a couple of years ago the only ones to have made real waves were Daft Punk and Air we've since seen Modjo, Bob Sinclair, Etienne de Crecy, Dimitri From Paris, Cassius, Super Discount, Mirwais etc. etc. etc. all receive attention. Not all of those are in the spotlight as we speak, but with the return of Daft Punk and Air it seems only natural that the hype would resurge - especially since both acts have in essence "come of age". It's kind of like the initially scattered forces of britpop coming together to crest at the release of "The Great Escape" and "(What's The Story) Morning Glory".

One minor point though: Basement Jaxx are compared to Daft Punk because "Romeo" is pop-house, and probably not due to some attempt at Frenchness on their part.

Cool/clever use of French language in pop was Rick Springfield's "Don't Talk to Strangers" wherein Rick hopes his babe won't fall for "some slick continental dude" - we hate those guys! - and then there's a verse in French (er, can't translate).