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Manu Chao first made a splash in the late Nineties with his fantastic debut solo album, Clandestino, the work of a multilingual, post-modern leftist busker whose music seemed to infuse the everything-at-once sonics of Beck’s Odelay with the spirit of Woody Guthrie, Bob Marley, and Joe Strummer. The title appropriated a derogatory term for undocumented immigrants, and Manu Chao (who was born in Paris to Spanish parents and had previously been in the Clash-y French rock band Mano Negra) made the album traveling around the world producing songs on...

Genre and language-blending superstar artist Manu Chao is teasing his upcoming album, Viva Tu, with a new single, “Tu Te Vas” featuring Laeti. Ahead of the full LP’s arrival next month, stream the latest preview below.

The French-Spanish musician welcomes rising French vocalist and singer-songwriter Laeti on the track, a tender lament for a couple choosing to part ways. “To sing for you is to stick thorns into me,” Chao sings in Spanish. Despite the sad subject matter, the overall mood of the track is bolstered by a sunny, optimistic sound, which is echoed by the summery visuals in the accompanying lyric video.

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Viva Tu, Chao’s first new album in 17 years, is set for release on September 20th via Because Music (pre-order here). “Tu Te Vas” follows the release of the moodier “São Paolo Motorboy” and the album’s bright title track. In...

On “São Paulo Motoboy,” Manu Chao narrates the ballad of a daredevil motorcycle courier weaving in and out of traffic in the Brazilian megalopolis to make a delivery, or he’ll be fired. The music takes a relaxed tempo, but the video, much of which is taken from the motorcycle equivalent of a dashcam, races through the streets as Chao raps about his epic hero driving through rain, falling, smelling gasoline, and yet continuing to drive. “My motorcycle is a plane,” goes one Portuguese lyric. The song will appear on Chao’s upcoming album,...

Manu Chao has announced his first new full-length album in 17 years, Viva Tu. Out September 20th via Because Music, the artist has also shared the single “São Paulo Motoboy.” Stream it below.

Arriving nearly two decades after his 2007 effort, La Radiolina, Viva Tu sees Chao finding inspiration in the daily lives of those he’s met during his world travels. Through such tales, Chao seeks to address the current state of the world over the course of 13 tracks sung in Spanish, French, Portuguese, and English.

Chao is also bringing along some friends to contribute to the new record, including Willie Nelson on “Heaven’s Bad Day” and French singer Laeti on “Tu Te Vas.”

Following the release of the record’s lead single and title track “Vita Tu,” “São Paulo Motoboy” is a swirling, eclectic rock tune that serves as a tribute to the couriers of São Paulo. A previous courier himself,...