It’s been a hot minute, but he's finally back. Here's why we're excited about 'Viva Tu', Manu Chao's first album in 17 years. French-Spanish singer Manu Chao has announced a new album, ‘Viva Tu’, due in September, 17 years after his last studio album.
The 63-year-old singer-musician announced the comeback LP on his website, a month after posting a first single, also entitled ‘Viva Tu’. Yesterday (Wednesday 26 June), he released a second track, ‘Sao Paulo Motoboy’, a hymn to the Brazilian megalopolis' motorcycle delivery drivers "who risk their lives every day on two wheels in the great metropolis". The upcoming new album is said to be “inspired by his travels and people’s daily lives,” with songs in Spanish, French, Portuguese and English, with collaborations from Willie Nelson on the song ‘Heaven’s Bad Day’ and French singer Laeti on ‘Tu Te Vas.
’ Like on his previous records, the project will address global issues, topics near and dear to the artist who is known for his outspoken political activism and engagement in topical matters. Manu Chao not only sings in multiple languages, but practices music as a kind of humanistic global activism, expressing solidarity across borders with lyrics about immigration, anti-capitalism, anti-fascism, drugs, and love. The news of a new album is a big deal, not only because we’re huge fans of Manu Chao here at Euronews Culture, but also because the artist has only released four studio albums.
His debut ‘Cla.
