Genesis Owusu's highly anticipated and well-received sophomore album, STRUGGLER, was just published today via OURNESS / AWAL. The singles "Leaving the Light," "Tied Up!" and "Stay Blessed" are among the album's critically lauded highlights. It is a daring soundtrack for uncertain times. You can listen to STRUGGLER at https://genesisowusu.ffm.to/struggler.
With STRUGGLER, Owusu follows up on his highly acclaimed debut album Smiling with No Teeth, which put him on the map globally. Owusu describes STRUGGLER as "a story about a Roach, that runs and runs, trying not to get stepped on by God." The narrative, which is shrouded in mystery and metaphor, honors the remarkable tenacity of humankind's resolve to live. "We're still going to find a way to make it to tomorrow, through pandemics, bushfires, and wars, and I think that's beautiful," says Owusu. Following some introspection of his own, Owusu sifted his eclectic taste to create a project with a clear concept that combines post-punk with poetry, theater, garage rock, funk rock, hip-hop, and heavy soul. The record paints a portrait using genres like shades of paint, freely exploring topics of resilience, hope, doubt, as well as the most fundamental of human questions: what's the point? It was partially inspired by Owusu's readings of philosopher Albert Camus, author Franz Kafka, and Samuel Beckett's Waiting for Godot.
On STRUGGLER's entire visual identity, Owusu also worked with Lisa Reihana, a renowned Aotearoa New Zealand artist. Reihana's work has been exhibited in prestigious venues across the US and the EU, including the Venice Biennale for her critically praised video installation, In Pursuit of Venus [Infected]. Reihana has acquired a reputation as a world-renowned artist and producer, engaging in thought-provoking debates about the concept of culture through film, costume and body adornment, as well as video installation.
Owusu will embark on a headlining tour in support of STRUGGLER this fall, bringing his energetic live performance to North America. His arena appearances this spring supporting Paramore were followed by the tour. Along with prominent appearances at North American festivals including Lollapalooza, Austin City Limits, Boston Calling, Osheaga Festival, and This Ain't No Picnic, he has also performed at festivals in Australia and Spain, including Splendour in the Grass and Primavera Sound. In the US and Australia, he also shared support slots with Glass Animals, Khruangbin, and Thundercat. You can purchase tickets at http://genesisowusu.com/tour.
Smiling With No Teeth, one of Australia's most lauded recent albums, showed the start of Owusu's profound artistic transformation and soul-bearing expressiveness. The album received broadcast support from NPR stations in the US (KCRW, KEXP, WXPN, and more), BBC broadcast, and was selected Australia's triple j "Album of the Year" as well as receiving four ARIA Award titles, including "Album of the Year." Additionally, the Los Angeles Times, AV Club, KCRW, Paste, The Needle Drop, BET, American Songwriter, OkayPlayer, and many others received widespread praise. Owusu also had a song from his album, "Gold Chains," chosen as one of President Obama's favorite pieces of music for 2021, and he had his late-night television debut on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, where he performed the tune. In 2022, he released the critically acclaimed stand-alone songs "GTFO" and "Get Inspired" as a follow-up to the album.
TRACKLIST FOR "STRUGGLER"
2 The Roach
3. The Old Man
4. See Ya There.
5 Freak Boy.
6 Tied Up!
7 That's Life (A Swamp).
8 Balthazar
9. Stay Blessed
10. What Comes Will Come
No. 11 Stuck To The Fan