The singer offers optimistic anthems and a love song as free downloads on his website.
Manu Chao, harbinger of global fusion and good vibes, has started the year by offering fans three free downloads.
The French-born singer-songwriter, who became synonymous with Barcelona’s reggae-rock-rumba fusion sound in the 1990s, hasn’t released a studio album since 2007’s La Radiolina. Could a new album – or maybe even two – be coming soon?
Chao’s latest song is “No Solo En China Hay Futuro” (“Not Only China Has a Future”), an optimistic ode to acting locally, finding strength in friendship, and seizing the day, accompanied by a video capturing a neighborly celebration in a corner bar in Barcelona.
Another new track, “Words of Truth,” delivers Chao’s typical message to a reggae beat.
More unusual for Chao is a dreamy love song called “Moonlight Avenue.” While it still sounds like a Manu Chao song, it’s credited to Ti.po.ta, a new duo creating, in Chao’s words, “sounds, words, images and dreams.” The other half of the duo is Greek actress Klelia Renesi. She appears with Chao in an idyllic video for the song, swimming naked in the sea. (Chao keeps his shorts on).
The songs are available for downloading on Manu Chao’s website. No word as to whether a new solo album, and maybe another from Ti.po.ta, will be released. Meanwhile, the artist is set to play five concerts in France come July.
Watch Many Chao’s new videos below.