Amadou & Mariam Announce New Compilation, 'La Vie Est Belle'

For about four decades, the phenomenal duo of Amadou & Mariam has enthralled listeners with their wide-ranging style of African blues and pop music. Since the release of their 2004 album, Dimanche à Bamako, particularly, the pair has been globally recognized, touring across the world and performing on the biggest festival stages.

Celebrating this ultra-successful stretch and leading up to a touring schedule of Europe and the US, Amadou & Mariam have announced the upcoming release of a new compilation album, La Vie Est Belle. The new project will be their second compilation of this year, following Mon Amour Mon Chéri, which housed some of their greatest love songs, as well as some exclusive mixes, and was released on Valentine’s Day.

La Vie Est Belle is set to capture the last 20 years of their musical journey, a period that saw the group expand its fusion prowess further, blending rock, dance and other elements into their traditional Bambara stylings. The compilation will feature songs from Dimanche à Bamako, its seminal 2008 follow-up, Welcome to Mali, and several other recordings.

The greatest hits album will also include exclusive material, like the newly released lead single, “Mogolu.” An upbeat affair, the song celebrates the warmth of societal positivity, with the instantly catchy, vibrant melodies of Amadou & Mariam bouncing off a bubbly groove and steel pan drums.

Accompanying the lead single release is the video for “Mogolu,” a sun-soaked set of visuals shot in the Senegalese capital city of Dakar. Amidst beautiful shots of Amadou & Mariam, the video features popular French Malian dancer and online personality, Akamz, as he hops across thrill-seeking activities across Dakar.

Watch the video for “Mogolu” here.