May 12th, 2021 – Singapore – On ‘A Tenuous Tale of Her’, Poté (aka Sylvern Mathurin) marks the debut album release for Bonobo’s OUTLIER imprint. He has released an emotive song, “Stare”, lifted from his forthcoming album in which we see the Paris based artist reflect on his own experiences with mental health. “It’s a song about being in a vicious cycle with anxiety and paranoia” he explains, “where we feel there’s no escape, no space to breath.”
“Stare” arrives shortly after the announcement of his debut album ‘A Tenuous Tale of Her’, and lead single “Young Lies” ft. Damon Albarn, which received widespread support from the likes of Pitchfork, NME, Line of Best Fit, Consequence of Sound, Stereogum, XLR8R and Mixmag who described the single as “an energetic cut that pulsates with vibrancy and life.” Poté has also received praise across a wide spectrum of supporters in the past, including Annie Mac, MistaJam, Phil Taggart, Nina Las Vegas, TEED, Pierre Kwenders, Jamz Supernova, Laurent Garnier, and Toddla T. He has also been featured in Bonobo’s 2019 ‘fabric presents’ mix, featured on 2019 Africa Express album “EGOLI”, and as well as having produced remixes for Little Dragon and Gorillaz.
Channelled through an imagined theatrical performance with a pre-apocalyptic setting, ‘A Tenuous Tale of Her’ provides a record that’s tough, tender and grand all at once. The connections Poté has built along the way speaks to the variety of his influences: with connections from Lisbon’s kuduro-fused Enchufada label, to Benji B and Damon Albarn, he’s built a sound that’s packed with ideas and musical touchstones alike.
Poté’s music has always balanced contrasting impulses. On the one hand, there’s the rhythmic, celebratory music of his Caribbean upbringing, and on the other, there’s his interest in exploratory, emotive songwriting. On this record, he takes that approach in a bolder direction: immersive and atmospheric, it’s a platform for those two sides of his music to strike a fresh dialogue. It’s the latest chapter in his journey to find newer and bolder ways to express himself. On this record, more than any project he’s released so far, Poté undoubtedly opens up – both in his sound, and in the parts of himself that he reveals.
Now based in Paris, he moved there in 2019, a change that has opened up his perspectives. “It really shakes your reality up,” he says, having made the move during the time he was working on his latest album. Giving him a newer sense of freedom – from the way he dresses to his sense of self – it’s gone hand in hand with growing as an artist and taking more risks.
Setting out his ambition to bring together those two sides to his music – the tough, rhythmic foundation, and the outlet for his raw emotions – more dramatically than before, it’s the latest chapter in his journey to find newer and bolder ways to express himself. On this record, more than any project he’s released so far, Poté undoubtedly opens up – both in his sound and in the parts of himself that he reveals.
‘A Tenuous Tale of Her’ Tracklist:
1. Under
2. Stare
3. Lows
4. Valley
5. Valley II (feat. Pierre Kwenders)
6. Pretty Penny’s Interlude
7. Open Up
8. Young Lies (feat. Damon Albarn)
9. Good2u (feat. INFAMOUSIZAK)
10. Plastic Prayers
11. Together
Pre-save ‘A Tenuous Tale of Her’ and listen to “Stare” here:
pote.lnk.to/attoh
