The precise meaning of the title of José Lobo’s new single ‘TBTBNM’—”Todo bien, todo bien, nada mal,” or “All good, all good, nothing bad”—depends on how you say it. Voiced one way, it might suggest you are merely hanging in there. But get your commas right and stress the correct words and it starts to sound altogether more enthusiastic and positive. Originating from Venezuela but now spending time between Montreal, San Francisco, Paris, and Hamilton, Ontario, Lobo weaves a delicate brand of folk which utilises this nuance and spectrum of emotions. Something apparent not only on ‘TBTBNM’ but the entirety of In All Good Hope, his forthcoming album on Victory Pool.
With its hushed style and restrained confidence, the lead single approaches this with José Lobo’s characteristic intimacy. An examination of self-doubt and purpose which pitches the audience as a close confidant, like an old friend who needs no context or introduction, allowing Lobo to just dive right into the things which are bothering him. “I wanted to say that sometimes I feel like a third party of my own story,” he explains. “Sometimes I am the friend, sometimes I am bound to it like a tenant, and only sometimes do I feel like I know what it is that I came to the world to do.”
Check out the Super 8 video below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q0wsVtCitis&ab_channel=VictoryPool
In All Good Hope is out via Victory Pool on the 27th October and you can pre-order it now.
