Helado Negro Finds His Inner Homebody on New Intimate Single and Video “I Just Want To Wake Up With You” — Announces New Album “Phasor”

In keeping a balance between English and Spanish language songs, the now North Carolina-based singer and producer Roberto Carlos Lange, better known as Helado Negro, has dropped a new single falling in the English category, “I Just Want To Wake Up With You.”

It’s the second single after “LFO (Lupe Finds Oliveros),” which sheds light on a hidden history involving electronic composer and trailblazer Pauline Oliveros. Both songs are the latest teasers for Lange’s upcoming ninth album, Phasor, out on Feb. 9 via 4AD. On the same day, Lange will embark on an extensive US and Europe tour, with dates in Pioneertown on Feb. 18, San Diego on Feb. 19, and LA at The Belasco on Feb. 21.

“I Just Want To Wake Up With You” tells a more personal story concerning the transition into domestic life and what it feels like to wake up to someone you love.

The shaker rhythm of the beat guides the single forward as Lange coasts by with his soft, velveteen voice. While there are a couple of other instruments heard in the background, the song’s simplistic formula remains constant, with the exception of fleeting but flourishing synthesizers that ebb and flow. By the end, it’s hard not to have Lange singing “I just want to wake up with you” stuck in your head.

To match the easygoing groove of “I Just Want To Wake Up With You,” the music video, directed and edited by Lange, opts for psychedelic green screen visuals and funky dancing. When he’s not singing through a mic connected to an old strap recorder, Lange is throwing flowers at the camera and having what looks like a good time by himself.

Between 2019’s This Is How You Smile and 2021’s Far In, Lange had begun working on what would become Phasor after acquainting himself with the Sal-Mar machine created by the late Salvatore Martirano at the University of Illinois. The synthesizer’s fingerprints can already be heard on the two released singles, especially on “I Just Want To Wake Up With You” during the pockets without vocals.

Judging by the two singles released so far, Phasor is Lange allowing himself to get lost in the music. While his singular and often softly sung vocals can get lost in the sea of synthesizers and breezy production, his idiosyncrasy couldn’t be more apparent.

Words: David Sosa

“I Just Want To Wake Up With You” by Helado Negro is out on all streaming services. For more on his upcoming album and tickets to tour dates, including a show at The Belasco in LA on Feb. 21, follow him on Instagram and his website.

HELADO NEGRO TOUR DATES

February 9 – ATLANTA, GA, USA, The Masquerade
February 10 – ORLANDO, FL, USA, The Social
February 12 – HOUSTON, TX, USA, White Oak Music Hall
February 13 – AUSTIN, TX, USA, Empire Control Room & Garage
February 14 – FORT WORTH, TX, USA, Tulips
February 17 – PHOENIX, AZ, USA, Crescent Ballroom
February 18 – PIONEERTOWN, CA, USA, Pappy and Harriet’s
February 19 – SAN DIEGO, CA, USA, Music Box
February 21 – LOS ANGELES, CA, USA, The Belasco
February 22 – SAN FRANCISCO, CA, USA, August Hall
February 23 – SACRAMENTO, CA, USA, Harlow’s
February 25 – SEATTLE, WA, USA, Neptune Theatre
February 26 – PORTLAND, OR, USA, Revolution Hall
February 29 – TALLINN, ESTONIA, Paavli Kultuurivabrik
March 2 – VILNIUS, LITHUANIA, Kablys
March 3 – COPENHAGEN, DENMARK, Loppen
March 5 – BERLIN, GERMANY, Hole44
March 6 – WARSAW, POLAND, Jassmine
March 7 – LONDON, UK, Scala
March 9 – LUXEMBOURG, Kulturfabrik
March 10 – PARIS, FRANCE, La Maroquinerie
March 12 – BRUSSELS, BELGIUM, Botanique
March 14 – UTRECHT, NETHERLANDS, Ekko
April 21 – ASHEVILLE, NC, USA, Eulogy
April 22 – CHAPEL HILL, NC, USA, Cats Cradle
April 23 – WASHINGTON, DC, USA, The Atlantis
April 24 – NEW YORK, NY, USA, Webster Hall
April 26 – BOSTON, MA, USA, Sinclair
April 28 – PHILADELPHIA, PA, USA, Underground Arts
April 30 – CHICAGO, IL, USA, Thalia Hall
May 1 – MINNEAPOLIS, MN, USA, Turf Club
May 3 – DENVER, CO, USA, Globe Hall
May 4 – SALT LAKE CITY, UT, USA, The Urban Lounge