Bonobo released his latest single “Otomo” from the upcoming, seventh studio album Fragments. The album is out on 14th January and can be pre-ordered here.
The new, dynamic single features O’Flynn, who co-produced it and turned Bonobo’s sample of a “Bulgarian choir – called 100 Kaba-Gaidi - into a dramatic breakdown and beat drop“. The new track is the most groovy hip-shaking one that the producer ever put on tape. “The song coming together also helped to remind Green of the sense of dancefloor abandon and surging crowds that he had so crucially missed” states the press release.
Simon Green (aka Bonobo) said on the new release in a statement: “Otomo’ began with a sample of a Bulgarian choir. Melodically it was working well but needed a dynamic shift. I asked my friend O’Fllynn for input. He sent it back with a dance floor ready drum section. It’s one of my favorites from the album. I’ve been playing it all year in my dj sets, there’s already a huge response and a feeling of immediate familiarity”.
O’Flynn added: “Simon messaged me last year with a track he was working on and asked for some feedback. I took a punt and asked for the stems to try some ideas on. The tune had this big choir sample and chords in – I went to work trying to contrast that choir with something much harder to try and change the context, using the choir and chords as this kind of relief to this big percussive 808 drop. Luckily Simon liked what I did and we developed the tune from there”.
O’Flynn shared in a statement how to be asked for feedback from Green caught him off guard: “So I had this driving force and pressure to come up with something that could take the idea in a new direction and hit the high bar Simon sets with all his productions”.
You can listen to “Otomo” below.
Last month the producer released singles “Rosewood” and “Tides” featuring Jamila Woods. The second track has been described as “blissfull’ by Clash and has been single of the week in The Observer.
The upcoming album will feature other musicians like Joji, Kadhja Bonet, Jordan Rakel and Miguel Atwood-Ferguson. Talking about his work process Bonobo shared with Rolling Stone: “Usually part of the process is you work on something and you go out and play it that weekend”. That way, “you can really tell when a tune dies on the dancefloor. It’s invaluable.” You think, ‘this is it, this is the club track! Then it falls flat.’” And on the flip side, “some things really get a big reaction when you’re least expecting it” – he continues.
Bonobo heading on a live tour next year, headlining three nights at the Royal Albert Hall. More tour dates can be found in the previous mxdwn article.
Photo Credit/Press Shot – Grant Spanier
