[Interview] - Ko Ko Mo's revival with new album 'Striped'.

“Striped came naturally, because over the course of the album, we found the theme of balance, of Yin and Yang... It's our most varied album and probably our most balanced,” said Ko Ko Mo singer and guitarist Warren Mutton of their new album Striped, released today, Friday October 25.

The Rock ascension of Ko Ko Mo

Founded in 2012 by Warren Mutton (guitarist and vocalist) and Kevin “K20” Grosmolard,

Photo : Bertrand Béchard

the psychedelic rock duo released their first self-produced project, Stole My Soul, in 2014, which was already receiving good reviews. However, it's in 2017 with their debut studio album, Technicolor Life, that they really make their mark. The release and enthusiastic reception of this album turns their national tour into an international one, taking them as far afield as Japan, China and Australia. Two more albums followed: Lemon Twins in 2019, then Need Some Mo' in 2022, which inaugurates their collaboration with the PIAS label. The Nantes-based duo draw their influences from a variety of registers: rock and blues for one, electro and hip-hop for the other. They combine almost vintage hard rock guitar riffs with a resolutely modern groove.

Striped : Musical renewal and sonic exploration

But the band didn't stop there, as we can now discover Striped, the band's fourth album and second release via PIAS. On it, Mutton explores themes of balance and opposition, inspired by the concept of Yin and Yang, which are felt as much in the lyrics as in the overall sound. The album features a wide variety of tracks and moods, yet all find an unexpected harmony. There are more energetic tracks like All The Way, contrasting with softer ones like Wheels Of Fire, and a rock-electro mix where Double Vision rubs shoulders with a calm Don’t Let Me Go.

The album takes on an air of experimentation, driven by a strong desire for renewal and evolution. It even includes The Wise, an interlude tinged with traditional Indian sounds, perhaps a nod to the band's live experience in India a few years ago.

Photo : Bertrand Béchard

The first single, Zebra, is reminiscent of Ko Ko Mo's signature style, but the rest of the album explores new horizons and diverse sounds. Beyond the modernized vintage rock to which the band has accustomed us, the album launches into a mix of genres and offers us a dose of renewal. There's also a more pronounced electro presence than on previous releases.

Ko Ko Mo's signature sound is still there, to the delight of die-hard fans, while the album's creative additions and risks could attract new listeners. The mix of styles and sounds reflects current trends in the music industry.

And, as always, the band will deliver an exceptional live performance, visually and musically striking. With Striped, Ko Ko Mo seem to be embarking on an important turning point in their career: a project that is different, daring, but always faithful to their sound identity.

Listen to Striped now [here] or preorder your physical copy [here]. And catch them live at the end of 2024 and beginning of 2025, with a sold-out show in Nantes, an almost sould-out show at the Olympia, and other concerts that are set to sell out very soon!

Finally, after this appetizer, it's time for our exclusive interview with Warren and K20, with whom we had the honor of chatting, and that you can find right there.