The incomparable Pierre Kwenders has announced the deluxe edition of his 2022 Polaris Prize-winning José Louis and the Paradox of Love — one of Exclaim!'s 50 best albums of last year.
José Louis and the Paradox of Love Deluxe arrives June 30 via Arts & Crafts. It expands the body of work with four additional tracks: brand new songs "SMT," "Niata" and "Good," as well as "Vibraçao," a rework of stand-out "Heartbeat" with Sarah Kalume.
An acronym for Social Media Therapy, fresh cut "SMT" — out today — sees Kwenders ruminating on the platform-induced highs and lows, the dopamine hits and how our brains have been irreconcilably altered by the online landscape. But naturally, he does so in his signature blend of English, French and Lingala over a laidback, soca-inflected beat.
"'SMT' calls for a reflection on our use of social media networks and rather good or bad we must question its effects," Kwenders said in a statement. "At this moment in time, social media has taken an important place in our day-to-day lives. As beneficial as it may be, we can find ourselves trapped — what happens online also affects us in real life. Nonetheless, it has become a problem solver, an outlet for joy, pain and communication. It makes us laugh, cry, support, look down upon, and apologize endlessly. After all that we do it all again. The online wailing wall or maybe the Goliath of our generation. Social media therapy is what we need. Social media therapy is a necessity."
Listen to "SMT" below, where you'll also find the expanded tracklist.
José Louis and the Paradox of Love Deluxe:
1. L.E.S (Liberté Égalité Sagacité) (feat. King Britt)
2. Your Dream (feat. Ngabo)
3. No No No
4. Imparfait (feat. Sônge)
5. Papa Wemba
6. Religion Désir
7. SMT
8. Makambo Ya Gaga (Skit)
9. Heartbeat (feat. Anaiis)
10. Kilimanjaro
11. Niata
12. Coupé
13. Sahara
14. Radio trottoir - Interlude
15. Good
16. Church (Likambo)
17. Vibraçao (feat. Sarah Kalume)
Pre-order José Louis and the Paradox of Love Deluxe.
José Louis and the Paradox of Love Deluxe arrives June 30 via Arts & Crafts. It expands the body of work with four additional tracks: brand new songs "SMT," "Niata" and "Good," as well as "Vibraçao," a rework of stand-out "Heartbeat" with Sarah Kalume.
An acronym for Social Media Therapy, fresh cut "SMT" — out today — sees Kwenders ruminating on the platform-induced highs and lows, the dopamine hits and how our brains have been irreconcilably altered by the online landscape. But naturally, he does so in his signature blend of English, French and Lingala over a laidback, soca-inflected beat.
"'SMT' calls for a reflection on our use of social media networks and rather good or bad we must question its effects," Kwenders said in a statement. "At this moment in time, social media has taken an important place in our day-to-day lives. As beneficial as it may be, we can find ourselves trapped — what happens online also affects us in real life. Nonetheless, it has become a problem solver, an outlet for joy, pain and communication. It makes us laugh, cry, support, look down upon, and apologize endlessly. After all that we do it all again. The online wailing wall or maybe the Goliath of our generation. Social media therapy is what we need. Social media therapy is a necessity."
Listen to "SMT" below, where you'll also find the expanded tracklist.
José Louis and the Paradox of Love Deluxe:
1. L.E.S (Liberté Égalité Sagacité) (feat. King Britt)
2. Your Dream (feat. Ngabo)
3. No No No
4. Imparfait (feat. Sônge)
5. Papa Wemba
6. Religion Désir
7. SMT
8. Makambo Ya Gaga (Skit)
9. Heartbeat (feat. Anaiis)
10. Kilimanjaro
11. Niata
12. Coupé
13. Sahara
14. Radio trottoir - Interlude
15. Good
16. Church (Likambo)
17. Vibraçao (feat. Sarah Kalume)
Pre-order José Louis and the Paradox of Love Deluxe.
