Music
08 Jul 21

WATCH: Kool & The Gang drop a new single and announce new album ‘Perfect Union’

It’s the band’s first album of all original material since 2007’s Still Kool

Kool & The Gang have dropped a brand new single called ‘Pursuit of Happiness’ and announced their new album, Perfect Union, to be released on August 21st via Omnivore Recordings.

The single version of the track features a rap verse from Keith Murray and was shared with its accompanying music video today. Another version of the song without the rap will appear on Perfect Union.

The heart warming music video directed by Patrick Smith, and features a robot living in a post apocalyptic world. The robot invents a pair of goggles that allow him to see an ideal version of the world. After making the goggles for everyone, the robots build towards the brighter view seen in the specs so they no longer need them.

Robert ‘Kool’ Bell explained the track was written by his late brother Ronald during Obama’s re-election campaign in 2012. “It was in some ways inspired by that time in history but, even more than that, my brother was inspired to voice the aspirations of so many of the people we meet during our travels to countries all over the world,” Bell said.

“His co-writers are also the vocalists on the track, Balawah Muhammad and Walt Anderson. Keith Murray heard the track and added his rap and we all loved it,” he added.

The song is laden with optimistic energy and touches on pollution, disease and homelessness with a hook where they proclaim, “We need more Lennons, Lincolns, more Kennedys, and Kings/Lord could you send somebody to help us?/Someone to help us with a dream.”

Perfect Union will be Kool & The Gang’s 25th studio album and follows up Kool For The Holidays, a Christmas record which included original material and classics that dropped in 2013.

Watch the video for ‘Pursuit of Happiness’ below.

Perfect Union Tracklist:

1. 'Pursuit of Happiness'
2. 'The Weekend'
3. 'Leave It on the Dance Floor'
4. 'High'
5. 'Sexy (Where’d You Get Yours)'
6. 'All To Myself'
7. 'R.O.Y.A.L.T.Y.' (Kool & the Gang Mix)
8. 'Hold On'
9. 'Good Time'
10. 'Pursuit Of Happiness' (Rap Version)