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- Summary: The third full-length release for the duo of Malawian Esau Mwamwaya and Swedish producer Johan Hugo feature contributions from Baaba Maal, Seye, and Chris Baio of Vampire Weekend.
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- Record Label: PIAS
- Genre(s): Pop/Rock, Alternative/Indie Rock, Alternative Pop/Rock, International
- More Details and Credits »
Top Track
| Makes a King | |
|---|---|
| ooh amisadeeda amisadeeda aokdoakwodidkaaano aidnawoidtaaaaaa oooh amisadeeda " " SHutuh aaohdhdaoooh kakakak ok work is done end of the day only... | See the rest of the song lyrics |
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Score distribution:
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Positive: 10 out of 11
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Mixed: 1 out of 11
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Negative: 0 out of 11
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Apr 2, 2015While their lyrics tackle poverty and corruption, tracks such as Mwana Wanga and Mariana are simple, sublime pop songs, and Sweka’s funky guitar and euphoric house groove would rock any dancefloor.
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Q MagazineMay 6, 2015Suffused in African melody and harmony, the touches of house and hip-hop more decorative than foundational, it reads like Esau's love letter to his homeland. [Jun 2015, p.113]
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UncutApr 2, 2015Recording in an African village with a laptop and local musicians lends a more organic feel than previous releases. [May 2015, 84]
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MojoApr 22, 2015It's a huge step forward on their earlier recordings. [May 2015, p.95]
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Apr 24, 2015The Swedish-Malawian duo of Johan Hugo and Esau Mwamwaya decamped to a rented house on the shores of Lake Malawi for album number three. That apposite choice of location has paid off with a warmer, more pointedly African sound as insects provide environmental chatter and local villagers add laughs, jokes and musical accompaniment.
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Apr 2, 2015There’s no doubt that it’s a more sober affair than their previous work, but as a snapshot of a country in turmoil, it’s a weighty, sometimes euphoric and completely compelling encapsulation of time and place.
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Apr 2, 2015Makes a King, in comparison [to the Very Best’s early albums], feels a bit one-note, though they can still hit that one note hard.