In the hands of Chalumeau, heartbreak transforms into art with a pulse. Their latest single, “Candombe,” is not just a song—it’s a masterclass in turning personal anguish into collective celebration. Katherine Bergeron and Butch Rovan, the duo behind Chalumeau, prove once again that they are a force of nature, blending raw emotion with genre-defying musicality.
On its surface, “Candombe” is a track that commands movement. Built around an infectious rhythm inspired by the Afro-Latin candombe style, it’s impossible to sit still while listening. But beneath the groove lies a deeper story—one of betrayal, loss, and ultimately, self-empowerment.
“How can you stay if nobody wants you?” Bergeron asks with a searing vocal clarity that cuts straight to the heart. Her voice, a blend of smoky resolve and piercing vulnerability, carries the weight of that question into an empowering answer: you leave, you rebuild, and you find strength in moving on.
Butch Rovan’s creative reinterpretation of the traditional beat breathes life into the track, elevating it beyond imitation. It’s a rhythm born of memory; decades ago, Rovan worked with a Uruguayan musician to recreate the candombe’s drum patterns, an experience that lingered long enough to find its way into this single.
But this is no straightforward homage. Rovan’s instrumental finesse brings layers of complexity to the song. The horns he meticulously arranged and performed are electric—bold yet controlled; they punctuate the chorus like exclamation marks.
Together, they operate like alchemists, blending diverse influences into a sound that feels both grounded and otherworldly. “Candombe” is a perfect example of this synergy, where heartbreak meets rhythm and emerges as something transformative. If their goal was to make us think, feel, and dance all at once, they’ve succeeded.