Afrique Victime
by Mdou Moctar
  • Record Label: Matador
  • Release Date: May 21, 2021
User Score
8.1

Universal acclaim- based on 17 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 17
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 17
  3. Negative: 1 out of 17
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  1. mavinhakeem
    May 23, 2021
    10
    This is Merciless Perfection!!!! 100/100.... Mdou Moctar... A strong contender with the Tinariwen!
  2. All_ButTrU4
    Dec 11, 2021
    7
    An outstanding grower born displaced in time. Guitar rock of this caliber is a outlier in this era calling back to the epics of Jimi Hendrix. Navigating tension and relief in coarse pieces this french record pushes the standard for music in anotherwise plateaued year. A niche must hear gor any ears that value being challenged, surprised and thrill.
  3. clem666
    Sep 12, 2021
    8
    Mdou Moctar and his band are driven by a respect for their heritage, their roots and their environment, fused with a massive rock influence from the so-called "northern countries". And the content they manage to produce leaves very few to be desired.

    Their lyrics are a bit repetitive but always heavy of sense and somehow quite both introspective and engaging. 'Afrique Victime' is for    Mdou Moctar and his band are driven by a respect for their heritage, their roots and their environment, fused with a massive rock influence from the so-called "northern countries". And the content they manage to produce leaves very few to be desired.

    Their lyrics are a bit repetitive but always heavy of sense and somehow quite both introspective and engaging. 'Afrique Victime' is for example hell of a song since the band reflects some of their thoughts about the story of Africa then and now. Add this to infectious rhythms and raw guitar solos and you'll soon get a multiphasic powerful track. Fortunately Mdou Moctar also manages to craft softer songs as the ballad 'Tala Tannam'. This group oozes with a humility that commands respect.    … Expand
  4. letsrock
    Jun 19, 2021
    9
    There was a character on The Mighty Boosh named Rudi who played rock fusion guitar and had a door on his forehead due to his wisdom of the psychedelic soul. The character brought to mind Carlos Santana, Jimi Hendrix, Los Dug Dugs. If any modern guitarist was to grow one of these doors on their forehead, it would have to be Mdou Moctar. This is some beautiful music, with blistering acidThere was a character on The Mighty Boosh named Rudi who played rock fusion guitar and had a door on his forehead due to his wisdom of the psychedelic soul. The character brought to mind Carlos Santana, Jimi Hendrix, Los Dug Dugs. If any modern guitarist was to grow one of these doors on their forehead, it would have to be Mdou Moctar. This is some beautiful music, with blistering acid rock solos. Admittedly, I don't understand everything he's singing about because it is in Tuareg, but the music tells a story of its own and takes you on a journey to his homeland of Niger.… Expand
  5. KrazyKhanwalkar
    Nov 19, 2021
    10
    This album has grown on me; singular yet embracing sounds, guitar solos are heavenly, drums will make you want to just let loose and dance. Album has energetic numbers and some chill ones too, it feels complete in itself.

Awards & Rankings

31
#31 Best Album of 2021

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
86

Universal acclaim - based on 17 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 17
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 17
  3. Negative: 0 out of 17
  1. The Wire
    Jun 29, 2021
    80
    The brasher moments of Afrique Victime are at least as worthwhile, Moctar having assembled a crack band. ... If this guy only really has two main modes – flamboyant electric blues and downhome, tricksy folk-rock – he can scorch in both, making complaints churlish. [Jun 2021, p.53]
  2. Classic Rock Magazine
    Jun 22, 2021
    90
    Outstanding. [Summer 2021, p.82]
  3. Drowned In Sound
    May 25, 2021
    80
    There is a beautiful, communal power in slow grooves like “Ya Habibti,” with its circling, mesmeric riffs and hand-clapped syncopations. “Asdikte Akal” moves a bit quicker, more of a trot than a shuffle, but also feels like a group endeavor.
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