Albums to watch

Antibalas

Antibalas

Antibalas

The Brooklyn-based Afrobeat ensemble with their 5th album

ADM rating[?]

7.2

Label
Daptone
UK Release date
06/08/2012
US Release date
07/08/2012
  1. 8.3 |   A.V. Club

    The music is retro, but in no way outdated. This is “world” music for our increasingly globalized times
    Read Review

  2. 8.0 |   Mojo

    This is the album to prove that great Afrobeat doesn't have to be a Kuti family affair. Print edition only

  3. 8.0 |   Consequence Of Sound

    With only six songs and coming in around 45 minutes, Antibalas explodes out of the gate with rolling percussion and doesn’t let up until the last crash
    Read Review

  4. 8.0 |   BBC

    Antibalas is musical democracy in action, and an inspiring example of a band practicing what they preach
    Read Review

  5. 8.0 |   The Observer

    Though there are thrilling moments of individual virtuosity, every rhythmic element locks tight to create an irresistible groove
    Read Review

  6. 8.0 |   All Music

    A welcome return; its slight shift in direction and production nuances reveal just how sophisticated this ensemble is, expanding the Afro-beat sound in the 21st century without sacrificing its heart
    Read Review

  7. 8.0 |   Evening Standard

    Short of seeing the band live, this is Afrobeat at its blistering best
    Read Review

  8. 7.5 |   The Line Of Best Fit

    The album is consistent with their previous releases in capturing their live improvisational grooves and energy in a take-home format
    Read Review

  9. 7.5 |   Pitchfork

    This is the band at its most forcefully communicative as a unit, playing together with an efficiency that lives and breathes with one-take composure
    Read Review

  10. 7.0 |   PopMatters

    This ever-mutating collective has been able to integrate other musical genres as well, including salsa, funk, and hip-hop
    Read Review

  11. 7.0 |   hhv.de mag

    The diverse dozen once again manage the mammoth task to make so many different musicians become a coherent patchwork
    Read Review

  12. 7.0 |   Blurt

    There's so much positive in this band's work - in its devotion to an intricate aesthetic, its commitment to justice, its sensual, hip-shifting appeal
    Read Review

  13. 7.0 |   Uncut

    Brooklyn's Afrobeat kings pay explicit tribute to the legendary Fela Kuti. Print edition only

  14. 6.0 |   Q

    There's flair and fire enough to quash the qualms and revel in people doing something over and doing it right. Print edition only

  15. 6.0 |   Independent on Sunday

    Casual bystanders might wish for more memorable songs or some advancement of the form
    Read Review

  16. 6.0 |   The Independent

    Show themselves to be almost as potent an Afrobeat ensemble as even the late Fela Kuti's greatest bands
    Read Review

  17. 6.0 |   The Guardian

    Antibalas still need to do even more to create their own distinctive style
    Read Review


blog comments powered by Disqus

Watch it

Roll over video for more options

Hear it

Antibalas by Diaz-5

Preview & download it

Antibalas: Antibalas

  • Download full album for just £8.49
  • 1. Dirty Money N/A
  • 2. The Ratcatcher N/A
  • 3. Him Belly No Go Sweet N/A
  • 4. Ari Degbe N/A
  • 5. Ìbéjì N/A
  • 6. Sáré Kon Kon N/A
  • Service provided by 7Digital

Latest Reviews

More reviews