Ibeyi’s sophomore album Ash won’t be out for another two weeks, but the girls have been working in overdrive to give us preview after preview of what to expect from their new work. They offered the optimistic “Away, Away” in June, and gave us the POC power anthem “Deathless” last month. Today, they dropped “Me Voy,” a collab with Spanish singer Mala Rodriguez that marks one of their biggest departures yet.
The duo has sung in English, Spanish, and Yoruba, but “Me Voy” marks their first track entirely en español. The vibe is steamier, stronger, and more assertive as the twins sing about leaving a lover behind — something we haven’t heard much in their often ethereal, spiritually-driven music. They get a little more electro-pop here as well, without abandoning Naomi’s signature syncopating bata rhythms, and a slow but steady verse from Mala Rodriguez continues to bring up the energy.
“We needed to sing in Spanish to set a sensual tone for song. When women feel sensual, not only is it sexy, but really powerful and we set out to convey that in the music video,” Lisa-Kaindé said.
An ultra-colorful video directed by Manson and produced by stalwart studio CANADA sees the girls embracing their sensuality and going for brighter, splashier visuals than we’ve seen from them before.
Ash debuts on September 29, and it’s already one of the albums we’re most excited to hear this fall. In addition to the Mala Rodriguez cameo, the album will feature other collaborations with Meshell Ndegeocello, Chilly Gonzales, and Kamasi Washington. Ibeyi will celebrate the new album with a global tour that kicks off on September 30 and spans Europe and North America. Check below for upcoming shows.
10/28 Miami, FL North Beach Bandshell *
10/30 Atlanta, GA Variety Playhouse *
11/1 Washington D.C. 9:30 Club *
11/4 Philadelphia, PA Union Transfer *
11/5 Brooklyn, NY Brooklyn Steel *
11/6 Montreal, QC Corona Theatre *
11/7 Toronto, ON Phoenix Concert Hall *
11/9 Detroit, MI Magic Stick *
11/10 Chicago, IL Red Bull Sound Select at Metro
11/11 Minneapolis, MN Fine Line Music Café *
11/14 Seattle, WA Neptune Theatre *
11/15 Vancouver, BC The Commodore Ballroom *
11/16 Portland, OR Revolution Hall *
11/18 San Francisco, CA The Fillmore *
11/19 Los Angeles, CA Theatre at the Ace Hotel *