Chromeo are back with their first release since 2018, delivering a coronavirus-themed EP titled Quarantine Casanova. Consisting of five new tracks, the project was recorded under lockdown due to the pandemic.
“Honestly, it started as a joke,” said Chromeo frontman Dave 1. “At the beginning of quarantine, we hunkered down in our studio, freestyled a song called ‘Clorox Wipe’ and posted it online to cheer people up. The response was overwhelming. So we wrote another one, and another one. Fans kept asking if we were going to release them for real, so after a couple of weeks, we obliged.”
According to the band, Quarantine Casanova was produced and recorded in two weeks. Cheeky songs such as “6 Feet Away” and “Stay In Bed (And Do Nothing)” touch on Covid-19-related topics like paper towel shortages, Zoom meetings, and people who don’t wear masks. It isn’t all fun and games, however. Dave 1 and P-Thugg also address anxiety and depression throughout the five-track compilation.
“As usual, it’s a high brow-low brow thing with us,” said P-Thugg. “These are obviously the funniest tracks we’ve ever written, but they connected in such a visceral way. We figured if we were to put them out, there would have to be a charity and an awareness component.”
All of the proceeds from digital downloads, physical sales, and merch will go to Colin Kaepernick’s Know Your Rights Camp Covid-19 Relief Fund in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement. You can stream Quarantine Casanova below and purchase the coinciding merch here.