Fally Ipupa – Binôme

Fally Ipupa, the Congolese rumba icon, delves into the notion of a profoundly connected relationship on “Binôme,” a long piece from disk three of his sprawling “XX: Délirium” project. At seven minutes and fourteen seconds, this one lets its major idea really develop.

Fally Ipupa has spent a lot of time looking at the multiple sides of love on this album, and “Binôme” takes it further into something more specific, the concept of a true partner or alter ego.

A term that means “Partner” or “Alter Ego” speaks directly to two persons connected by an almost inseparable bond. Located on disk three of the 51-track project, it continues the album’s constant investigation of love themes even this deep into the tracklist.

The production retains the slow, patient underpinning of Congolese rumba, written with poetic attention throughout. There’s nothing here about a speedy payoff. The longer running duration allows the theme to flow freely through. It feels like one of the more deliberate love declarations in the entire XX: Délirium endeavor.