On their second album, Kokoroko continue exploring their fusion of jazz and Afrobeat – but this time around, they allow more clearly discernible moments of R&B to shine through. Fittingly, Tuff Times Never Last features considerably more vocals than 2022’s acclaimed debut Could We Be More, including guest appearances from a handful of singers. Where that first record thrived on the ebb and flow of its wave-like arrangements, the London-based octet now works with a more focused approach: the new tracks are, for the most part, fully fleshed-out songs.
Some voices in the music press criticised this shift – perhaps because the A-side still draws heavily from Kokoroko’s Afrobeat foundations, while the B-side ventures into unexpected territory with touches of sophisticated soul à la Sade or vintage boogie. Yet even here, the group never completely breaks with its established aesthetic. Instead, their distinctive blend remains palpable – often in small details, like the horn arrangement on »Just Can’t Wait«, which wouldn’t have sounded out of place on the debut.
The question isn’t whether they’re allowed to change direction. The more interesting one is whether their evolution feels as convincing as the peaks of their previous work. The answer: absolutely. Some times call for more clarity – Kokoroko deliver it.
