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Afrique Victime
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  • Record Label:
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Afrique Victime Image
Metascore
86

Universal acclaim - based on 17 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.1

Universal acclaim- based on 17 Ratings

  • Summary: The latest full-length release for the Tuareg guitarist is his first on the Matador label.
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 17
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 17
  3. Negative: 0 out of 17
  1. Classic Rock Magazine
    Jun 22, 2021
    90
    Outstanding. [Summer 2021, p.82]
    All this publication's reviews
  2. Exclaim
    May 17, 2021
    90
    He and his band are making truly tremendous guitar rock in a manner that is peerless in this era, and from anywhere on the globe.
  3. musicOMH.com
    May 19, 2021
    90
    If Afrique Victime tells us anything, it’s that Mdou Moctar’s fire and passion are drawn from his homeland. The results are staggering.
  4. Under The Radar
    May 20, 2021
    80
    It retains the magic of previous releases, but it’s more expansive, massive even.
  5. 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.
  6. The Observer (UK)
    May 24, 2021
    80
    It’s made all the more thrilling by the fact that while Moctar is busy conjuring extraordinary sounds from his guitar, the rest of his band keep upping the song’s tempo. Pleasingly, he is no less affecting on his more gentle, acoustic material, as on stripped-back recent single Tala Tannam.
  7. Clash Music
    May 17, 2021
    70
    All good music transports the listener, and 'Afrique Victime' does that in spades while spreading a message of hope, resilience, and lessons on political inequality.

See all 17 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 5
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 5
  3. Negative: 0 out of 5
  1. mavinhakeem
    May 23, 2021
    10
    This is Merciless Perfection!!!! 100/100.... Mdou Moctar... A strong contender with the Tinariwen!
  2. 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.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.… 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 theThere 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. 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 influenceMdou 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
  6. 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.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.… Expand

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Awards & Rankings

31
#31 Best Album of 2021

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