It’s been 17 years since the elusive Manu Chao released a studio album but make no mistake, he never really left. Viva Tu, his long-awaited comeback, is less of a grand return and more of a continuation of the nomadic troubadour's lifelong journey. Known for his eclectic blend of multilingual, genre-bending songs, the French-Spanish singer-songwriter and former frontman of Mano Negra has spent years traveling the world, performing in small villages, local festivals, and unconventional venues. His latest album is the culmination of his experiences on the road and a reflection of the people he’s met along the way.

True to form, Chao's music remains sunny, warm, and deeply human, while also unflinchingly confronting social imbalances. The lead single, “Viva Tu,” is a rumba dedicated to the everyday heroes who keep the world turning, from neighbors to street vendors to activists. It’s a simple but powerful ode to resilience, wrapped in Chao’s signature upbeat rhythms and infectious melodies. The second single, “São Paulo Motoboy,” shifts the focus to the tireless delivery drivers navigating the chaos of Latin American cities. It’s a bright, celebratory track, paying homage to the unsung heroes of the gig economy. And while the album’s themes are deeply rooted in the current moment, Viva Tu also features some surprising collaborations, including “Heaven’s Bad Day,” a melancholic yet uplifting track with country legend Willie Nelson, and “Tu Te Vas,” an emotional duet with rising French rapper Laeti.

But for all the fanfare surrounding his "return," Chao remains as low-key as ever. He’s been flying under the radar, traveling the world with just a couple of friends - “three guys and three sticks,” as he puts it - living a stripped down, simplified life that mirrors the ethos of his music. There’s no grand production here, no pretension. Just a man with a guitar and an unshakable belief in the power of music to bring people together. “Viva Tu is first and foremost the love of all my neighbors,” Chao says. “It’s about accepting yourself as you are, and from the moment you accept who you are, Viva Tu!”

For Manu Chao, songs are living, breathing things, constantly evolving as they are played and replayed across different contexts. Viva Tu has no expiration date, it’s music made for the long haul, for every wedding, festival, and spontaneous street performance that might come next. His music is less about perfection and more about presence - about being in the moment, offering up a song like a message in a bottle. With Viva Tu, he proves once again that he’s a global citizen, a storyteller, and a wanderer. A man whose songs speak loudly and whose voice cuts through the noise to deliver messages of hope and unity in a world desperately in need of both.