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Ibeyi
by
Ibeyi Image
Metascore
78

Generally favorable reviews - based on 16 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.3

Universal acclaim- based on 43 Ratings

  • Summary: The debut full-length release for the French-Cuban twins Naomi and Lisa-Kaindé Díaz (daughters of Buena Vista Social Club percussionist Miguel Díaz) includes influences from Cuban folk music, electronic, French jazz, R&B and pop music.
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Top Track

River
Come to your river I will come to your river I will come to your river Come to your river (Wash my soul) I will come to your river (Wash my soul) I... See the rest of the song lyrics
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 16
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 16
  3. Negative: 0 out of 16
  1. Exclaim
    Feb 13, 2015
    90
    This is, it's apparent, an album of ideas and feelings that were dying to come out, and Lisa-Kaindé and Naomi have expressed them with beauty and technical expertise beyond their 20 years.
  2. HipHopDX
    Feb 20, 2015
    80
    Ibeyi is executed expertly and encapsulates entirely its artists’ public narrative and ambitious musical inclinations up to this point. For now, that’s a blessing and all we know enough to ask for.
  3. New Musical Express (NME)
    Feb 12, 2015
    80
    Tracks like 'Oya', 'Think Of You' and 'River' have a sparse, ghostly quality reminiscent of early Regina Spektor or Björk. Innovative and comforting.
  4. Uncut
    Feb 27, 2015
    80
    The brilliant "Oya" places the sisters' voices front and centre, swinging from Bjork-like vocal gymnastics into a Yoruban spiritual. Elsewhere, Russell winds the pair's cajon and Bata beats into wonky boom-clap rhythms that smartly complement the romantic "ghosts" or "Think Of You." [Apr 2015, p.77]
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  5. Pitchfork
    Feb 23, 2015
    74
    Some of the rougher edges and raw(er) emotion that got the twins noticed in the first place get ironed out a bit. And one side effect is that a few of the album's final tracks sound somewhat similar in tonality, tempo, and their vibe. But Ibeyi still find subtle ways to create shape.
  6. The Observer (UK)
    Feb 17, 2015
    60
    Contemporary, ancient, tropical and cosmopolitan: Ibeyi’s debut album pulls off an audacious series of culture clashes.
  7. NOW Magazine
    Feb 12, 2015
    40
    There is an unexciting emphasis on precision and minimalism that saps the emotional heat from an otherwise interesting fusion of styles and sounds.

See all 16 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 4
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 4
  3. Negative: 0 out of 4
  1. thaleslucas
    Feb 19, 2015
    10
    What should I say about the debut album of the twins Díaz? It is simply one of the best things I heard in 2015! One of the best debut, justWhat should I say about the debut album of the twins Díaz? It is simply one of the best things I heard in 2015! One of the best debut, just it.

    The authenticity of these is impeccable and it's frightening because it's so detailed and magnificent. Coming with a Jazz and Folk mixing culture with musical knowledge and extremely personal feelings, it just makes the album more intense, deep and heavenly. The Soprano voice of Lisa-Kaindé do the background looks like an angel, while Naomi keep your voice Mezzo-Soprano in front, showing the pain with melodramatic feelings.

    About the songs: "Mama Says" and "Faifhful" is the most deep to tell a little about how the mother of the twins felt after the loss of their father, the percussionist Miguel Díaz. This is totally hard to do, especially for a family ... We can see clearly the difficulty that the three passed and still passing with the loss of a family member. "Oya", "River" and "Weatherman" bring a more electro-experimental tone, leaving the album on a high with what is contemporary, while "Stranger / Lover" and "Yanira" show the roots of Cuba that girls have.

    At last, this album is amazing and it's almost impossible not to appreciate the comprehensive content, the talent and the personal theme that Ibayi acquired as a legacy of his father.    … Expand
  2. GoldenPlague
    Feb 23, 2015
    9
    WOW -- I honestly didn't expect to like this as much as I did.
    A perfect fusion of languages, and genre styles makes for an epic performance.    WOW -- I honestly didn't expect to like this as much as I did.
    A perfect fusion of languages, and genre styles makes for an epic performance.
    The only fault I found upon listening to this debut album was that upon completion, I only wanted more.    … Expand
  4. Evic21
    Oct 29, 2015
    9
    This album is so much fun. I love how they play with sound, wheather that be cultural sound or playing with genres to create the sound ofThis album is so much fun. I love how they play with sound, wheather that be cultural sound or playing with genres to create the sound of Ibeyi. So different, so strange, so great.… Expand
  5. sybtonline
    Mar 1, 2015
    8
    If Asa’s music made love to Nneka's music and had a dark baby, this album is what you get, the Ibeyi album by Ibeyi is a good debut effortIf Asa’s music made love to Nneka's music and had a dark baby, this album is what you get, the Ibeyi album by Ibeyi is a good debut effort

    4.2/ 5 Wraps. Check out sybt.tv for more reviews    … Expand

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