Lo & Leduc: "Crisis as Chanson" – An Album of Depth
Lo & Leduc's Crisis as Chanson confronts global injustices with raw honesty
Their songs are known for catchy melodies, sharp wordplay, and keen observations of everyday life. But their new, sixth studio album, Crisis as Chanson, doesn't dwell on mobile phone provider hotlines or strangers in red dresses.
Instead, Lo & Leduc tackle weightier themes this time: war, Switzerland's role in the arms industry, the climate crisis, and the widening gap between rich and poor. They call it their most direct album yet, the Bern-based duo explains in an interview.
Direct with themselves, too: It's a kind of wrestling—with oneself and the world—but perhaps that very struggle suddenly becomes a dance. —Leduc, half of the duo Lo & Leduc
"Music doesn't have to be political," Leduc responds when asked how political music should, may, or must be today. "But you have to realize that silence is also a statement."
"A Crisis Is a Crisis" – No Opportunity Here
Lo & Leduc sing about the crises we feel worldwide. Yet they reject the idea of "crisis as opportunity." A crisis isn't an opportunity—"a crisis is a crisis," Leduc insists. It must be acknowledged, experienced, and confronted. And that very confrontation is what you find in their songs, in the chansons, Lo adds. "That's why the album is called Crisis as Chanson."
But where does this sudden urgency to address such heavy themes come from? The current state of the world naturally played a role, Lo & Leduc admit, but not solely. There was also a desire to create a more permeable, more vulnerable album.
If we can spark a conversation at some kitchen table, I'd be very happy. —Leduc, half of the duo Lo & Leduc
Lo & Leduc hold up a mirror to their listeners with their lyrical texts. But what do they do about the world's injustices? "As clichéd as it sounds: There's only the shared, the connection with people close to you—whether to endure tough times, distract yourself, or take action. That's why the album is ultimately about relationships," Lo explains.
"079" – The Megahit: Curse or Blessing?
They could have simply followed up on their megahit "079" or stuck to lighter fare like "Ig o" or "Jung verdammt."
After all, "079" was a monumental success: 21 uninterrupted weeks at No. 1 on the Swiss charts—something no other song had achieved before.
"That song is still a treasure trove of stories for us," Lo says. It's inspired love stories and even, in one case, may have saved a life. "Someone told us they knew who to call after a bike accident because of '079.'"
You never know in advance which song will take off. But when one does, it's an incredible feeling. —Lo & Leduc, Swiss German dialect music duo
Both agree: "Having a hit like that in our repertoire is a blessing."
Lo in a New Role: Fatherhood
For one of them, it's not just the new album shaping life right now—it's also a new role: Lo became a father last late summer. Did that influence the album process?
While Lo searches for words, Leduc beams: "You were bursting with ideas—it was beautiful." Lo adds: "There's no going back; everything is now inevitably shaped by this life-changing event."
It's these experiences—growing older, becoming a father—that have made Lo & Leduc bolder. Bolder, more vulnerable, and thus more exposed.
And yes: Their new album grapples with complex, difficult themes. Yet it still carries that signature Lo & Leduc lightness. With "Für Love," they even deliver a first—a ballad.
"This album means more to me than usual—it's about connection," Leduc explains. "If it resonates with someone, if it sparks a conversation at some kitchen table, I'd be very happy."
