After sneaking out their Liboso EP late last year, Congolese collective KOKOKO! have announced their signing to Royal Mountain Records ahead of releasing their debut full-length album.
Titled Fongola, the group's 11-track debut is set to arrive through Royal Mountain/Transgressive on July 5.
Translating as "the key," Fongola is said to be "a torrid, anarchic, youthful journey smashing a new path through modern life in Africa's third most populous city."
The group have also shared first single "Buka Dansa," which you can hear below.
"'Buka Dansa' means 'dance till it breaks', or 'break the dance,'" the group explained in a statement. "[Vocalist Dido Oweke] sings the song on a synthetic rhythm, where the riff from a self-made guitar moves with the melodies. The lyrics are psychedelic, and remember what's good in life — putting that feeling parallel with a nice taste passing into your throat, like smoke, a digestion of good moments."
Alongside album news, the band have mapped out an extensive world tour that will bring them to North America in September and October. Canadian stops have been set for Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver.
Find KOKOKO!'s complete tour itinerary over here. Fongola is available for pre-order here.
Fongola:
1. Likolo
2. Azo toke
3. Buka dansa
4. Identité
5. Malembe
6. L.O.V.E.
7. Tongos'a
8. Zala mayele
9. Singa
10. Kitoko
11. Tokoliana
Tour dates:
09/20 Minneapolis, MN - Cedar Culture Center
09/24 Toronto, ON - Horseshoe Tavern
09/25 Montreal, QC - Pop Montréal
09/27 Detroit, MI - Deluxx Fluxx
09/28 Bloomington, IN - Lotus World Music & Arts Festival
10/02 Washington, DC - Rock n Roll Hotel
10/03 Philadelphia, PA - Boot & Saddle
10/04 New York, NY - The Red Fish
10/05 Boston, MA - BU Global Music Festival
10/08 Los Angeles, CA - The Echo
10/09 Oakland, CA - New Parish
10/11 Portland, OR - Jack London
10/12 Seattle, WA - Barboza
10/13 Vancouver, BC - Celebrities
Titled Fongola, the group's 11-track debut is set to arrive through Royal Mountain/Transgressive on July 5.
Translating as "the key," Fongola is said to be "a torrid, anarchic, youthful journey smashing a new path through modern life in Africa's third most populous city."
The group have also shared first single "Buka Dansa," which you can hear below.
"'Buka Dansa' means 'dance till it breaks', or 'break the dance,'" the group explained in a statement. "[Vocalist Dido Oweke] sings the song on a synthetic rhythm, where the riff from a self-made guitar moves with the melodies. The lyrics are psychedelic, and remember what's good in life — putting that feeling parallel with a nice taste passing into your throat, like smoke, a digestion of good moments."
Alongside album news, the band have mapped out an extensive world tour that will bring them to North America in September and October. Canadian stops have been set for Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver.
Find KOKOKO!'s complete tour itinerary over here. Fongola is available for pre-order here.
Fongola:
1. Likolo
2. Azo toke
3. Buka dansa
4. Identité
5. Malembe
6. L.O.V.E.
7. Tongos'a
8. Zala mayele
9. Singa
10. Kitoko
11. Tokoliana
Tour dates:
09/20 Minneapolis, MN - Cedar Culture Center
09/24 Toronto, ON - Horseshoe Tavern
09/25 Montreal, QC - Pop Montréal
09/27 Detroit, MI - Deluxx Fluxx
09/28 Bloomington, IN - Lotus World Music & Arts Festival
10/02 Washington, DC - Rock n Roll Hotel
10/03 Philadelphia, PA - Boot & Saddle
10/04 New York, NY - The Red Fish
10/05 Boston, MA - BU Global Music Festival
10/08 Los Angeles, CA - The Echo
10/09 Oakland, CA - New Parish
10/11 Portland, OR - Jack London
10/12 Seattle, WA - Barboza
10/13 Vancouver, BC - Celebrities
