New song released by rapper Orelsan

Several days after surprising his audience in Bordeaux by performing an unreleased track on stage, the rapper Orelsan has revealed "XXX," a new song that continues his most direct and confrontational positions. The track addresses various social and political issues, including the far right and its identity-related obsessions.

Targets of the song's criticism

Orelsan’s targets include the far right and CNews, a French media outlet that has been associated with conservative and nationalist views. The lyrics directly mention CNews and do not hold back, with the rapper stating, "In short, I'm the opposite of CNews," a phrase delivered without hesitation.

Style and content of the song

"In XXX," Orelsan returns to his signature blend of sharp punchlines, a disillusioned gaze, and provocation. The song is accompanied by a video with a particularly distinctive visual identity, directed by Raphaël de Albuquerque and Gabriel Cantal. The video includes roller skates, an aesthetic inspired by skate videos from the 2000s, and an unexpected appearance of a knight and Charlie Chaplin.

Visual identity of the video

The video cultivates a universe that is both offbeat and well-controlled, giving the track another dimension and avoiding reducing the video to a simple illustration of its lyrics. This approach aligns with Orelsan's known style of mixing humor, absurdity, and sharp comments on society.

Connection to previous work

A tone and image freedom not really surprising from Orelsan, who has long known how to mix humor, absurdity, and sharp comments on society. With "XXX," he places the content at the center while offering a particularly enjoyable visual playground. The track recalls "L'odeur de l'essence," a song from his album Civilisation, which already painted a picture of a country traversed by fears and divisions.

Availability and upcoming performances

"XXX" is available on all streaming platforms. Orelsan will be at the Accor Arena from December 9 to December 28.