Bibi Club – J’arrive à la ville

A man from Lebanon steps off the boat in Marseille, and more than a century later his great-granddaughter’s song about it is still finding new arrivals to speak for. Lhasa De Sela, the American-Mexican singer who made her name in Montreal, wrote “J’arrive à la ville” about that crossing. 23 years after her original, Bibi Club take it on with a quicker, more upbeat pulse and their signature sound, Adèle Trottier-Rivard’s voice carrying it in front. They’re clear about why it’s coming out now: hostility toward immigrants keeps growing worldwide, and in Quebec political parties are openly pushing racist rhetoric and false stories about newcomers.

Out now on Secret City Records.