The London collective Kokoroko will release their second album »Tuff Times Never Last« on July 11, 2025 via Brownswood Recordings. Lead single »Sweetie« is a summery, playful harbinger: The horns take center stage as usual, but drum machines and synths open up the sound in the direction of West African disco.
Between Nostalgia and New Beginnings
Eleven new songs explore themes of childhood, loss and resilience. »Although we reflect on joy and celebration, a lot of it comes from difficult times,« says co-bandleader Onome Edgeworth. Eleven new songs explore themes of childhood, loss and resilience. Musically, the septet of Sheila Maurice-Grey, Cassie Kinoshi, Richie Seivwright, Oscar Jerome, Duayne Sanford, Ayo Salawu, Yohan Kebede and himself draws on 1980s British R&B, lovers rock and neo-soul alongside Afrobeat.
The artwork by acclaimed illustrator Luci Pina depicts a summer scene in London – inspired by Spike Lee‘s Crooklyn (1994) and Rick Famuyiwa’s The Wood (1999). A tribute to community, family, and the soundtrack of urban warmth.
