Move over Busta Rhymes, Phoenix is here with the new woo-ha. Today, the GRAMMY-winning French band returned with the single "Alpha Zulu," their first new music in two years following their contribution to the soundtrack for Sofia Coppola's 2020 film On the Rocks. The urgent, synth-heavy track features singer Thomas Mars shouting "woo ha" during the chorus, along with a peculiarly emphasized pronunciation of "hallelujah."
The single's anxiety—marked by spiraling guitars and stressed vocal delivery—was inspired by a certain in-flight experience. The song's title came from Mars overhearing the pilot repeat the phrase over the radio during mid-flight turbulence in a storm. The singer captures the instant panic when air travel suddenly feels unsafe: "Pray to your god / Cover your lies / God or Guru." Other surreal lyrics include song-stealing, bilingual moments like "There's a purple cloud in the consommé, ouais," or "Your Mona Lisa immortalized, décapitée / I wouldn't change, I wouldn't try another second / 'Til I rise a hologram waiting for the tie-break." Wild stuff!
Phoenix haven't announced a larger project following 2017's Ti Amo, but are currently in the studio finishing a new album. In the meantime, listen to "Alpha Zulu" below and check out their tour dates here.
