Out now, ‘A Tenuous Tale of Her’, Poté (aka Sylvern Mathurin) marks the debut album release for Bonobo’s OUTLIER imprint. Alongside the release he shares a video for stand-out track “Good2u (feat. INFAMOUSIZAK)” in which we see Poté explore the realms of friendship and love, told through the reminiscing of memories that carry both joy and a heavy heart of times past.
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.
Speaking of the track, Poté shares, “Good2u is a state of mind more than anything, a state where you think your shit doesn’t stink and you’re the best thing going, irrespective of the uncomfortable truth.”
“For Good2u, we wanted to play with the idea of reminiscing and how that experience can be a mixture of joy and heavy heartedness.” added director Alex J Corona. “Shooting on 16mm and super 8 with a group of our friends let us experience that nostalgia in a way that felt genuine and in the moment.”
Previous singles “Stare” and “Young Lies (ft. Damon Albarn)“ received widespread support from notable platforms Pitchfork, NME, Line of Best Fit, Consequence of Sound, Stereogum, XLR8R and Mixmag who described “Young Lies” 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’s been featured in Bonobo’s 2019 ‘fabric presents’ mix, featured on 2019 Africa Express album “EGOLI”, produced remixes for Little Dragon and Gorillaz, and recently performed on Colors Berlin.
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.
‘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
