Fresia Magdalena, the wonderful 2021 release from Berlin-based Peruvian producer Sofia Kourtesis, landed among our favourite EPs of the year – as well as on countless other best of the year lists. She’s carrying that energy forward into 2022 with a new song called “Estación Esperanza”, which boasts guest vocals from Manu Chao. Kourtesis says:
“‘Estación Esperanza’ is all about hope. I’m hopeful my mother will get better, I’m hopeful the world will begin to heal, I’m hopeful this song will bring you light on dark days. I first wrote this song after listening to Manu Chao. To me Manu Chao has always represented hope, his lyrics were like a bible to me growing up. This song is for him, my mother and all those activists working hard to make this world better.. never lose hope!”
The song begins with the sound of chanting from an anti-homophobia demonstration, and the love and acceptance of that sound then seems to blossom into the tropical beauty that is “Estación Esperanza”. A song that’s perennially in motion through its bleared synths and delicately deployed rhythms, listening to “Estación Esperanza” is like being in the midst of a carnival just as the mood is starting to shift into a mass dance. Manu Chao’s vocals are a key element, but just one of many in this vibrant and life-affirming track, where new sounds and sights seem to spring up every passing moment.
Listen to “Estación Esperanza” below or on streaming platforms.
“Estación Esperanza” is out on Ninja Tune. You can find Sofia Kourtesis on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. She will be playing at these dates:
25 Jan – Bristol @ O2 Academy ^ – SOLD OUT
26 Jan – Bristol @ O2 Academy, Bristol ^
28 Jan – Cardiff @ TramShed ^
30 Jan – Brighton @ The Dome ^ – SOLD OUT
31 Jan – Brussels, BE @ Ancienne Belgique ^
01 Feb – Luxembourg, LU @ Den Atelier ^
02 Feb – Lausanne, CH @ Les Docks ^
03 Feb – Salzburg, AT @ Rockhouse ^
04 Feb – Bratislava, SK @ Edison Park ^
05 Feb – Warsaw, PL @ Stoloda ^
07 Feb – Paris, FR @ L’Olympisa ^
07 March – Berlin, DE @ Columbiahalle ^
08 March – Prague, CZ @ Forum Karlin ^
09 March – Vienna, AT @ Arena ^
10 March – Munich, DE @ Neue Theaterfabrik ^ – SOLD OUT
11 March – Ljubljana, SL @ Kino Siska ^
13 March – Zurich, CH @ Kaufleuten ^
15 March – Cologne, DE@ Carlswerk Victoria ^
16 March – Reims, FR @ La Cartonnerie ^
17 March – Utrecht, NL @ TivoliVrendenburg ^
18 March – Lille, FR @ L’Aeronef, Lille ^
19 March – Nijmegen, NL @ Doornroosje ^
20 March – Hamburg, DE @ Uebel & Gefaehrlich ^ – SOLD OUT
03 April – Mayrhofen, AT @ Snowbombing Festival – DJ
17 April – Amsterdam, NL @ DGTL Festival
20 April – Manchester @ YES Pink Room (Headline show)
21 April – London @ Electrowerkz (Headline show)
09 June – Barcelona, ES @ Primavera Sound
12 June – Ferropolis, DE @ Melt Festival
^ – supporting Caribou
All dates live unless stated as DJ
