Rostam Batmanglij and Clairo have reunited on the new track 'Hardy', marking their first collaboration since 2019. The song is part of Rostam's upcoming album American Stories, set to release on May 15.
Background on the Collaboration
Rostam, known for his work with Vampire Weekend, produced Clairo’s debut album Immunity in 2019, which included the critically acclaimed track 'Bags'. The song was ranked the third best of that year by Pitchfork. Now, seven years later, the pair has teamed up once again to deliver 'Hardy'.
The song is a tribute to the late French singer Françoise Hardy and features a sample from Georges Delerue’s score for François Truffaut’s film Day for Night. The accompanying music video is directed by Antony Muse.
Artistic Intentions
Rostam shared his thoughts on 'Hardy' in a press release, describing it as “a song about looking forward and looking back. Ultimately, I hope it leaves you with some feeling of hope for the future.” He expressed his excitement about Clairo’s contribution, saying, “I’m so happy Claire could make a guest appearance and sing her own section of the song—I have always loved the way her voice communicates optimism.”
Future Releases and Tours
American Stories, Rostam's first album in five years, will be released this Friday, with a full live performance video titled American Stories: A Concert Film premiering on YouTube the day before. Rostam's North American tour kicks off later in May, followed by a European leg in September.
Clairo, whose last album Charm came out in 2024, continues to be a prominent figure in the indie music scene.
Legacy of 'Bags'
The track 'Bags' by Clairo, produced by Rostam, is still celebrated and was placed at No. 123 in Pitchfork's list of the 200 Best Songs of the 2010s.
Source: https://pitchfork.com/news/rostam-and-clairo-reunite-on-new-song-hardy/
