Ibeyi
by Ibeyi
Metascore
78

Generally favorable reviews - based on 16 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 16
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 16
  3. Negative: 0 out of 16
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  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. No Ripcord
    Mar 23, 2015
    80
    With such masterful creativity and an ability to connect with listeners emotionally, no matter what language they are singing in, Ibeyi may have already released the debut album of the year.
  3. 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. Boston Globe
    Feb 24, 2015
    80
    A hypnotic collision of cultures and influences, of tradition and innovation.
  6. 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.
  7. AllMusic
    Feb 20, 2015
    80
    Their songs of family, love, lust, and spirit pair perfectly entwined and complementary voices.
  8. musicOMH.com
    Feb 13, 2015
    80
    Iit feels like there’s so much more music and ideas for them to explore, so many other potential directions for them to head in. For now however, this remarkably mature and accomplished album will do just fine.
  9. Q Magazine
    Feb 12, 2015
    80
    Pitched somewhere between James Blake and Erykah Badu, it's a subtly delightful album. [Mar 2015, p.109]
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  10. 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.
  11. The Line of Best Fit
    Feb 12, 2015
    80
    Ibeyi is an ambitious debut record from the twosome, and one that deserves to be heard by as many people as possible.
  12. 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.
  13. Tiny Mix Tapes
    Mar 2, 2015
    60
    Ibeyi is an uneven but sturdily promising debut.
  14. The Observer (UK)
    Feb 17, 2015
    60
    Contemporary, ancient, tropical and cosmopolitan: Ibeyi’s debut album pulls off an audacious series of culture clashes.
  15. DIY Magazine
    Feb 17, 2015
    60
    Given time to develop and augment their tribal leanings, Ibeyi could and likely will prosper--but in current form it feels a little to offer a half-hearted hand on something more sacred.
  16. The Guardian
    Feb 13, 2015
    60
    As stand-alone tracks they work, but side-by-side, you can’t help but wish they’d try something outside this comfort zone.
  17. 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.

User Reviews

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User Score
8.3

Universal acclaim- based on 43 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 39 out of 43
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 43
  3. Negative: 1 out of 43
  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.    … Full Review »
  2. 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.… Full Review »
  3. 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    … Full Review »
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