Views: 4
Tuff Times Never Last artwork by Luci Pina
HEADLINE NORTH AMERICAN TOUR BEGINS JULY 30TH
Tuff Times Never Last is a body of work that holds space for the many dualities that occur in life. A testament to resilience, joy and the retainment of child-like innocence in the face of adverse circumstances. Aiming to signal an air of triumph, victory and celebration in its musicality, the new record sees the London band with careless abandon expand their wide-ranging palette and influences.
Three years on from the band’s debut album Could We Be More, much of the album sees the ensemble embracing a tone that’s more upbeat and party-orientated. Across the album’s 11 songs, Kokoroko venture in and around 80s Brit-funk, neo-soul, West African disco, bossa nova, lovers rock and funk.
Speaking on the bands’ decision to veer into a more up-tempo direction, co-bandleader Onome Edgeworth said: “We tour so much so you want it to be fun. When all your songs are so serious and intense, you miss out on enjoying yourself sometimes. We asked ourselves the question, “What do we want our next years to feel like?” And we wrote music with the intention of it having colour and a sense of playfulness”.
Coinciding with the album’s release, Kokoroko have unveiled “Da Duh Dah” as the project’s latest single. A love song chronicling the fight to hold on to something special. Sonically the track is reminiscent of British soul bands Loose Ends and 52nd Street and like several tracks on the album takes cues from a more electronic space. While also bearing additional influence from The RH Factor and Donald Byrds’ ‘Places & Spaces’.
The arrival of Tuff Times Never Last comes on the heels of previously released singles “Sweetie,” “Closer To Me” and “Just Can’t Wait.”. All of the preceding singles cumulatively received rapturous critical praise and support from press and radio outlets such as The Guardian, Bandcamp Daily, Official Charts, Hypebeast, Mixmag, The Voice Newspaper, Pitchfork, PAPER Magazine, SPIN, The FADER, Essence, MOJO, UNCUT, NOTION and a plethora of others.
To coincide with the release of Tuff Times Never Last, Kokoroko will be heading on a full North American tour beginning in July. The tour starts in Philadelphia before heading to Brooklyn, D.C., Chicago, Los Angeles and more. See full tour routing below and purchase tickets at www.kokorokomusic.co.uk.
Upcoming Live Dates
7/31 – Philadelphia, PA @ Union Transfer
8/01 – Brooklyn, NY @ Brooklyn Steel
8/02 – Newport, RI @ Newport Jazz Festival
8/03 – Washington, DC @ 930 Club
8/05 – Chicago, IL @ Thalia Hall
8/08 – Englewood, CO @ Gothic Theater
8/10 – Telluride, CO @ Telluride Jazz Festival
8/12 – La Jolla, CA @ UCSD Amphitheatre
8/13 – Los Angeles, CA @ The Regent
8/14 – San Francisco, CA @ The Regency Ballroom
Kokoroko Full Band Personnel:
Sheila Maurice-Grey (co-bandleader, trumpet, flugelhorn, vocals)
Onome Edgeworth (co-bandleader, percussion)
Anoushka Nanguy (trombone, vocals)
Tobi Adenaike (guitar, vocals)
Yohan Kebede (keyboards, synthesizers, vocals)
Duane Atherley (bass, vocals)
Ayo Salawu (drums, vocals)
Additional Personnel:
Chelsea Carmichael (tenor saxophone, bass clarinet, flute)
Connect with Kokoroko:
