Music in Exile
by Songhoy Blues
  • Record Label: PIAS
  • Release Date: Feb 23, 2015
Metascore
83

Universal acclaim - based on 9 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 9
  3. Negative: 0 out of 9
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  1. The Line of Best Fit
    Mar 3, 2015
    80
    The vast majority of Music In Exile features the sparse but richly nuanced sound of a supremely well-oiled band with one foot in ancient traditions and the other firmly in the here and now doing their intoxicating live thing in a room whilst a recorder's switched on.
  2. The Telegraph (UK)
    Feb 23, 2015
    80
    They do owe a musical debt to Ali Farka Toure (whose songs they started out covering), but they’re definitely etching out their own groove.
  3. The Guardian
    Feb 19, 2015
    80
    It’s an impressively varied and rousing set, if somewhat predictable.
  5. Uncut
    Feb 17, 2015
    80
    Songhoy Blues take the fusion of West African desert rhythms and rock'n'roll a further step down the road trodden so thrillingly by Tinariwen. [Mar 2015, p.81]
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  6. Mojo
    Feb 17, 2015
    80
    Their debut exists in a musical moment, conjuring a freedom and thrilling abandonment in its hypnotic shuffle boogie and punky blues rock riffs. [Mar 2015, p.93]
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  7. The Observer (UK)
    Feb 17, 2015
    80
    Nick Zinner of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs lends guitar touches and a clean, accessible production. A triumph.
  8. New Musical Express (NME)
    Feb 17, 2015
    80
    This resulting debut is a masterpiece of desert blues; blending American guitar licks with Malian groove.
  9. Q Magazine
    Feb 17, 2015
    80
    What emerges contains much that's familiar but it's presented in revitalised new settings, with grit, urgency and delicacy in abundance. [Mar 2015, p.117]
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  10. Classic Rock Magazine
    Jul 13, 2015
    70
    Songhoy Blues bring a joyful defiance to Music In Exile that transcends the language barrier.

Awards & Rankings

67
#67 Best Album of 2015

User Reviews

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User Score
7.3

Generally favorable reviews- based on 6 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 6
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 6
  3. Negative: 1 out of 6
  1. buzzlight
    Mar 16, 2015
    9
    I normally stay away from world music, but this album is different. The African-American Blues blend is simply too crafty and creative to putI normally stay away from world music, but this album is different. The African-American Blues blend is simply too crafty and creative to put down. I salute Nick Zinner of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs for thinking out of the box in his collaboration on this album. This entire album is a breath of fresh air - and, that song Soubour offers one of the best guitars I have heard in a long time.… Full Review »
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