On October 10th, Portuguese singer-songwriter Cristóvam will release his eagerly awaited third studio album, Desert of Fools, via V2 Records. Building on the success of his critically acclaimed albums Hopes & Dreams (2018) and Songs on a Wire (2022), Cristóvam once again captivates listeners with his signature storytelling and warm, immersive melodies. This time, his creative journey led him to Australia, where he teamed up with producer Tim Hart (Boy & Bear) to craft ten new tracks that bring a fresh and dynamic energy to his sound.
One of the album’s standout tracks, “Fever”, is a hypnotic and atmospheric piece that feels like a half-remembered dream. Delving into themes of struggle and redemption, the song explores the fragile balance between “chaos and hope.” For this track, Cristóvam collaborated with Australian indie-folk band Boy & Bear, blending their unique styles to create a hauntingly beautiful soundscape.
The music video for “Fever”, directed by Diogo Rola, visually mirrors the duality that defines the album. It features the stunning landscapes of both the Azores and Australia, symbolizing the connection and distance between Cristóvam and Boy & Bear. The surreal visuals blur the lines between reality and illusion, with elements like old televisions and a dreamlike search for connection adding to the video’s evocative charm.
The inspiration behind Desert of Fools comes from Cristóvam’s ongoing struggle to balance his family life in the Azores with a music career that takes him across the globe. Reflecting on this, Cristóvam shares, “I think all touring musicians experience it to some degree, but living so far from the cultural centers of the world only intensifies the disconnection. When I’m not touring, I often feel like I’m in limbo, never fully in one place. That feeling of never truly being present is something I think a lot of people can relate to—when your body is physically in one place, going through the motions on autopilot, but your mind is somewhere else entirely. I often find myself thinking, what a foolish place to be.”
This sense of displacement is poignantly captured in the album’s title track:
“Out in the waves / It’s a desert of fools / Where my heart is tangled and I can’t move / But here in the city / I’m longing for you / Wish there was a place where no one would lose.”
The themes of longing and restlessness weave throughout the album, making it one of Cristóvam’s most personal and introspective works to date.
Cristóvam first rose to international prominence with “Andrà Tutto Bene”, a song that became a beacon of hope during the pandemic. Since then, he has cemented his place in the European music scene, performing alongside artists such as Stu Larsen and Tim Hart. His songwriting talent has earned him numerous accolades, including first place in the International Songwriting Competition and two IMPA Awards.
With Desert of Fools, Cristóvam takes his artistry to new heights. The album not only introduces a refined and evolved sound but also offers an intimate glimpse into the heart of an artist navigating life between two worlds. It’s a testament to his growth, resilience, and the universal human experience of longing for connection and belonging.
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Source/image provided by – LPR
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