What music magazines wrote about 'Everything Connected'

The FADER

"On Wednesday afternoon, he shared a new cut from the record, an expansive and all-encompassing track called "Everything Connected"."^[1]

Stereogum

"(...), his new song “Everything Connected” is a nearly six-minute electronic soundscape that takes you through the circle of life."^[2]

SPIN

"But the real thrill of “Everything Connected” comes from closely tracking its slow development until it becomes a kind of meditation, a process that is much more rewarding over ten minutes than it is in five."^[3]

PopMatters

"Beginning with a invigorating beat, circled by clusters of intricate, wheezy percussion the track gradually folds together before Hopkins gently unfurls a breezy keyboard line and wide-screen ambient sounds."^[4]

NPR (National Public Radio)

In an interview with NPR, Jon Hopkins revealed the following about the track:
"I started writing "Everything Connected" in 2010 (under the working title "Halo") and it has been through many, many iterations."^[5]

CLASH

"Highlights ‘Emerald Rush’ and ‘Everything Connected’ are as lush as they promise, both ready for emotional unboxing in your choice of Boiler Room or bedroom."^[6]

BrooklynVegan

In an article, BrooklynVegan wrote about the animated music video for the track:
"It comes in the form of a very cool computer-animated video that follows some alien sea creatures as the song’s bass throbs and beats distort the field of vision."^[7]

Billboard

"He’s a master of atmosphere, sound and rhythms, and “Everything Connected” is a sweet slice of all those things and more with a super interstellar sheen of excitement."^[8]

UPROXX

"“Everything” is a beat-forward track, moving in fits and starts like a strong organic pulse."^[9]

The Quietus

"Excellently crafted beats emerge throughout the album in tracks like ‘Neon Pattern Drum’, ‘Emerald Rush’ - also released as a single - and most notably in the hefty ‘Everything Connected’, which Hopkins describes as a “massive techno bastard”."^[10]

RA (Resident Advisor)

"A minute-long bit on "Everything Connected," where 4/4 kicks and stadium-friendly guitars converge in rail-straight lines, recalls a blandly euphoric shade of Coldplay, with whom Hopkins has worked in the past."^[11]

Pitchfork

"The album‘s centerpiece, “Everything Connected,” is an imposing 10-minute techno odyssey, and as close as the genre has gotten to a blockbuster moment."^[12]

Exlaim!

"(...) from the titular opening track through the enormous, cathartic pinnacle of the ten-and-a-half-minute centrepiece "Everything Connected," it's a gritty, pummelling techno record;"^[13]

Drowned in Sound

"Centre-piece and recent single ‘Everything Connected’, for instance plays to a similar beat and rhythm as ‘Open Eye Signal’, the monster track from Immunity, though in this instance, the track feeds into the rest of the record (...)"^[14]

References

[1] Maicki, S. (2018, April 26). Hear Jon Hopkins’ new song “Everything Connected.” The FADER. https://www.thefader.com/2018/04/26/jon-hopkins-new-song-everything-connected-singularity

[2] Green, G. (2018, April 25). Jon Hopkins – “Everything connected” Stereogum. https://www.stereogum.com/1993314/jon-hopkins-everything-connected/music/

[3] Cush, A. (2018, April 25). Jon Hopkins’ “Everything Connected” deserves to be heard in its full 10-Minute glory. SPIN. https://www.spin.com/2018/04/jon-hopkins-everything-connected-extended-version/

[4] Carr, P. (2018, May 3). Jon Hopkins’ ‘Singularity’ evokes the euphoria and vivid awareness of a psychedelic experience, PopMatters. PopMatters. https://www.popmatters.com/jon-hopkins-singularity-2565328638.html

[5] Thompson, S. (2018, May 4). Jon Hopkins Enters The “Singularity,” Track By Track. NPR. https://www.npr.org/sections/allsongs/2018/05/04/607825272/jon-hopkins-enters-the-singularity-track-by-track

[6] Neale, M. (2018, May 8). Jon Hopkins – Singularity. Clash Magazine Music News, Reviews & Interviews. https://www.clashmusic.com/reviews/jon-hopkins-singularity/

[7] Pearis, B. (2018, April 25). Jon Hopkins shares animated “Everything Connected” video, expands tour. BrooklynVegan. https://www.brooklynvegan.com/jon-hopkins-shares-animated-everything-connected-video-expands-tour/

[8] Bein, K. (2018, April 27). Jon Hopkins Hits His ‘Energetic Peak’ on ‘Everything Connected’: Listen. Billboard. https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/jon-hopkins-everything-connected-listen-8395644/

[9] Rancic, M. (2018, April 25). Jon Hopkins Shares The Sinewy, Beat-Forward New Track ‘Everything Connected’ UPROXX. https://uproxx.com/music/jon-hopkins-everything-connected-single-singularity/

[10] Cocks, H. (2018, May 2). The Quietus. https://thequietus.com/articles/24513-jon-hopkins-singularity-album-review

[11] Philp, R. (2018, May 14). Jon Hopkins - Singularity · Album Review ⟋ RA. https://ra.co/reviews/22428

[12] Lozano, K. (2018, April 30). Jon Hopkins: “Everything Connected.” Pitchfork. https://pitchfork.com/reviews/tracks/jon-hopkins-everything-connected/

[13] Carlick, S. (2018, May 1). Jon Hopkins Singularity | Exclaim!. https://exclaim.ca/music/article/jon_hopkins-singularity

[14] Turner-Heffer, A. (2018, May 2). Album Review: Jon Hopkins - Singularity / Releases / Releases // Drowned In Sound. https://drownedinsound.com/releases/20313/reviews/4151770

What music magazines wrote about 'Forever'

Pitchfork

Regarding a comparison of HAIM with the band Fleetwood Mac, Pitchfork wrote:
"(...); while the Mac at their prime were arguably inimitable, Haim's single "Forever" has a sparkly charm about it, its palm-muted guitars and soaring vocals creating a fizzy effervescence."^[1]

COMPLEX

COMPLEX summed up the music video like this:
"The bright, bouncy track sets the tone perfectly for the trio of sisters, who dance their way through the video, mixing in clips of some guitar playing and bike stunting for good measure."^[2]

NME (New Musical Express)

There was also a musical association with Fleetwood Mac in the NME's EP review with the track Forever:
"‘Forever’ too begins with drums, then bursts into something altogether more expansive. They have this Lindsey Buckingham-era Fleetwood-Mac thing going on, which gives their songs a pleasing sheen."^[3]

Stereogum

In a music news item about a Lindstrøm & Prins Thomas remix of Forever, Stereogum noted:
"HAIM's deliriously catchy "Forever" has a combination of spiky and smooth that recalls the first Pretenders album -- it's excellent, (...)"^[4]

The Guardian

"Forever, for example, not only pushes the vocals forward it also makes space for cowbells, funk guitar, cymbal splashes and vocal harmonies."^[5]

References

[1] Fitzmaurice, L. (2012, October 9). Haim: “Forever” / Lindstrom & Prins Thomas remix. Pitchfork. https://pitchfork.com/reviews/tracks/14405-haim-forever-lindstrom-prins-thomas-remix/

[2] Moore, J. (2012, June 7). Video: Haim “Forever.” Complex. https://www.complex.com/music/a/jacob-moore/video-haim-forever

[3] Howard, T. (2012, June 29). Haim – ‘Forever’ EP. NME. https://www.nme.com/reviews/reviews-haim-13382-308474

[4] Nelson, M. (2012, October 9). HAIM – “Forever (Lindstrøm & Prins Thomas Remix)”. Stereogum. https://www.stereogum.com/1172931/haim-forever-lindstr%C3%B8m-prins-thomas-remix/news/

[5] Cragg, M. (2012, June 7). New music: Haim – Forever. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2012/jun/07/new-music-haim-forever

Lyrics interpretation

These are possible interpretations of some lines from the lyrics of Need To Feel Loved. Please note that these are only approximations of the lyrics and these interpretations make no claim to accuracy. It is possible that the interpretations do not reflect the songwriters' intentions for Need To Feel Loved. Therefore, consider them only an attempt at interpretation.

The lyrics of Need To Feel Loved are about the singer wanting to feel loved.

The protagonist asks the person addressed to catch her, to save her.

A cloud is to be caught by the person addressed. It is possible that this cloud represents the singer who does not want to fade away.
 
To all appearances, the female protagonist in the song feels alone. Because she wants affection, touch and tenderness, to be together with her partner and to be held.

Samples from the song Ghosts by Thomas Newman

The dance track Need to feel loved by Reflekt feat. Delline Bass contains samples from the song Ghosts by Thomas Newman^[1], which is the 24th track on the Original Motion Picture Soundtrack for the 2002 film Road to Perdition.
The passage sampled for Need to feel loved begins at minute 1:43 and ends at minute 2:25.

Single - chart history

Official Singles Chart Top 100 (UK)

The single Need To Feel Loved by Reflekt ft. Delline Bass peaked with position 14 the Official Singles Chart (UK) on March 5, 2005. ^[2]

Official Dance Singles Chart Top 100 (UK)

The single Need To Feel Loved by Reflekt ft. Delline Bass peaked with position 1 the Official Dance Singles Chart (UK) on March 5, 2005. ^[2]

What music magazines wrote about 'Need To Feel Loved'

Dancing Astronaut

"Taking its ethereal vocals out of its trance background, they created a lush progressive backdrop that highlights the track’s sense of longing."^[3]

References

[1 Need to Feel Loved by Reflekt feat. Delline Bass on WhoSampled. (n.d.). WhoSampled. https://www.whosampled.com/Reflekt/Need-to-Feel-Loved/

[2 NEED TO FEEL LOVED. (2005, May 3). Official Charts. https://www.officialcharts.com/songs/reflekt-feat-delline-bass-need-to-feel-loved/

[3] Hernandez, C. (2016, May 8). Weekend Rewind: Reflekt - Need To Feel Loved (Adam K & Soha Remix) - Dancing Astronaut. Dancing Astronaut. https://dancingastronaut.com/2016/05/reflekt-need-feel-loved-adam-k-soha-remix/

What music magazines wrote about 'Caer'

Beehype

"“Caer” is the group’s most recent single and video, co-produced by the band with Dev Hynes (Blood Orange, Solange Knowles)."^[1]

References

[1] Richner, A. (2014, December 5). Buscabulla - Caer - Puerto Rico. Beehype – Best Music From Around the World. https://beehy.pe/buscabulla-caer-puerto-rico/

What music magazines wrote about 'Acid Rain'

Fact Magazine

Fact Magazine wrote about the official music video of Acid Rain:
"A team of demented and damaged cheerleaders dances their way out of a car crash to the tune of Lorn’s gloomy electronics."^[1]

References

[1] Fact. (2015, July 20). The week’s best videos: Zebra Katz, Denzel Curry and more. Fact Magazine. https://www.factmag.com/2015/07/19/best-videos-zebra-katz-denzel-curry-lorn/2/

What music magazines wrote about 'O Superman'

The Guardian

"When O Superman became a hit, first in the UK and then elsewhere, Anderson claims to have been astonished."^[1]

Pitchfork

Andy Beta wrote in a Pitchfork review about the Moses Sumney cover of O Superman:
"In 'How to Wreck a Nice Beach' (...) there is a chapter that opens with Laurie Anderson's "O Superman", one of the most peculiar songs to ever dominate the Pazz & Jop critics poll and Top of the Pops."^[2]

DJ Mag

"Originally a surprise UK hit in 1982, the seminal synthpop tune was pulled from Anderson's futuristic 'Big Science' album, (...)"^[3]

Los Angeles Times

In an Los Angeles Times article about the American tenor Charles Holland, regarding the musical inspiration of O Superman, one can read:
"A few years earlier, Laurie Anderson had heard him sing “O Souverain” from Massenet’s “Le Cid” that she said was the inspiration for her hit recording “O Superman.”"^[4]

References

[1] Atwood, M. (2021, April 8). ‘It has never been more pertinent’ – Margaret Atwood on the chilling genius of Laurie Anderson’s Big Science. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/music/2021/apr/08/margaret-atwood-laurie-anderson-big-science-o-superman-prophetic-80s-america-pertinent

[2] Beta, A. (2015, July 16). Moses Sumney: “O Superman” (Laurie Anderson cover). Pitchfork. https://pitchfork.com/reviews/tracks/17579-moses-sumney-o-superman-laurie-anderson-cover/

[3] O'Loughlin, C. (2007, June 11). Laurie Anderson's 'O Superman' re-released!. DJMag.com. https://djmag.com/content/laurie-andersons-o-superman-re-released

[4] Folkart, B. A. (1987, November 12). Obituaries : Charles Holland; Singer Fled Bias, Found Success - Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles Times. https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1987-11-12-mn-20094-story.html

Information about the song

• Month of release: May 2017
• Type of music release: Album track
• From album: Bravado
• Genre: Art pop, Glam rock
• Label: Terrible
• Music video director: Kii Arens

Lyrics interpretation

These are possible interpretations of some lines from the lyrics of Living Each Day by Kirin J. Callinan ft. Connan Mockasin. Please note that these are only approximations of the lyrics and these interpretations do not claim to to be able to accurately convey the meaning of the song as intended by the songwriters. See it as an attempt at lyrics interpretation.

The lyrics begin with the story of a son whose father was dying. The father told his son that he should live each day. 

Immediately afterwards comes a surprising twist in the lyrics. It is possible that the son was only reading this saying on a fridge magnet. Ultimately, however, it doesn't matter where this call to live every day came from, the son simply had to live every day.

After all, he withdrew all his money from his bank because he wanted it to be as if it was his last day.

Now the lyrics switch from the past to the present.

The listener of the song is directly asked to live life as if it were the last day. The singer suggests things you can do when you have the last day to live.

Switched from present to past, things are listed what the protagonist did, for instance he asked his beloved to dance and then kissed her.

And now comes a funny twist, it's taken ad absurdum: "When he got the chance live each day then he, he had a sandwich".

Although the song Living Each Day and the music video are very funny, it has an important message for life: Live this day now, because it could be your last. A call to live in the here and now and not in the future or the past.

What music magazines wrote about 'Living Each Day'

Under the Radar

In an article about the official music video for Living Each Day, Under the Radar wrote:
"Kii Arens directed the ridiculous and amusing clip, which features Callinan in various cowboy outfits and includes Mockasin riding a shark."^[1]

The FADER

"Recorded over a couple of days in Mark Ronson’s London studio, the song is a collaboration with Connan Mockasin, another artist bringing absurdity to the singer-songwriter mythos."^[2]

Stereogum

Stereogum wrote about the official music video for the track Living Each Day:
"The video, which was directed by Kii Arens, places Callinan and friends against a number of ridiculous backdrops."^[3]

SPIN

About the official video for the track, SPIN wrote:
"Ultimately, the clip leans too hard on Tim & Eric-style greenscreen kitsch to reach the same ecstatic high as its predecessor, but it’s still more fun than anything else you’re likely to see from an indie rocker this year."^[4]

References

[1] Roberts, C. (2017, June 6). Watch: Kirin J Callinan - "Living Each Day" (Feat. Connan Mockasin) Video | Under the Radar Magazine. https://www.undertheradarmag.com/news/watch_kirin_j_callinan_-_living_each_day_feat._connan_mockasin_video

[2] Darville, J. (2017, June 6). How Kirin J Callinan Embraced Bad Taste To Make The Year’s Most Successful Pop Oddity. The FADER. https://www.thefader.com/2017/06/06/kirin-j-callinan-bravado-interview-living-each-day-musicivideo

[3] Rettig, J. (2017, June 6). Kirin J Callinan – “Living Each Day” (Feat. Connan Mockasin) video. Stereogum. https://www.stereogum.com/1945200/kirin-j-callinan-living-each-day-feat-connan-mockasin-video/news/

[4] Cush, A. (2017, June 6). Kirin J Callinan is having more fun than anyone else in his “Living Each Day” video. SPIN. https://www.spin.com/2017/06/kirin-j-callinan-living-each-day-video/

Song info

Lyrics interpretation

These are possible interpretations of some lines from the lyrics of Smoke Signals. Please note that these are only approximations of the lyrics and these interpretations do not claim to be correct. It is possible that the interpretations do not reflect the intention of the songwriter Olympia. See it only as an attempt at interpretation.

Right at the beginning of the lyrics comes the resolution of what the song title Smoke Signals is most likely about: cigarette smoke.
Olympia sings about another person inhaling a cigarette, i.e. the smoke of a cigarette, between his/her teeths at the same time as this person is speaking.

Along with the smoke signals, white flags also come into play at the beginning of the lyrics. The white flags could mean surrender, but it is not clear who is surrendering here.

There are also several signs of heartbreak in the lyrics of Smoke Signals. For example, Olympia sings from a first-person perspective that she loves the other person and that this person should not be so cold.

The protagonist also knows that the other person's car has turned twice. The other person may have wanted to visit the protagonist, but has changed its mind.

What music magazines wrote about 'Smoke Signals'

The Interns

In an article about her album Self Talk, the Australian music blog The Interns you can read what musician Olympia said about Smoke Signals. The song Smoke Signals is partly inspired by the Japanese controversial TV reality show Susunu! Denpa Shōnen (Sweepstakes Life). Susunu! Denpa Shōnen was broadcasted from January 11, 1998, to September 29, 2002, on the Nippon TV network. In the TV show, an audience of millions watched as the mental state of the main protagonist Nasubi, who took part in the competition, gradually deteriorated and he became more and more emaciated. After all, the song is about the inner turmoil in a person's mind that is invisible to others.
Smoke Signals is, according to The Interns, perhaps the best single from the album Self Talk.^[1]

CLASH

The British music magazine Clash wrote in high terms about the song:
"New cut 'Smoke Signals' is fast becoming a breakout moment, a stunning piece of pop music dominated by that heart-stopping vocal."^[2]

References

[1] Murphy, S. (2016, March 8). Olympia Preps Debut Album, Drops The Simmering “Smoke Signals.” The Interns. https://www.theinterns.net/2016/03/08/olympia-preps-debut-album-drops-the-simmering-smoke-signals/

[2] Murray, R. (2017, April 26). Olympia Turns ‘Smoke Signals’ Into An Acoustic Gem. Clash Magazine Music News, Reviews & Interviews. https://www.clashmusic.com/music-videos/olympia-turns-smoke-signals-into-an-acoustic-gem/

What music magazines and the label wrote about 'Need You Now'

Domino Records

"A disco ballad for the modern world, it samples Sinnamon's "I Need You Now", occasionally injecting hope into a dark song that appears to be bereft of hope."^[1]

Under the Radar

"The song features a driving beat and a soul diva crooning the chorus from the living room television."^[2]

The Guardian

"The song appears on the band's sixth album Why Make Sense? and teams world-weary, pensive lyrics and a house beat with R&B trio Sinnamon's vocal hook from 1983 track I Need You Now."^[3]

Stereogum

"In the Shynola-directed clip, frontman Alexis Taylor plays a man caught in a bizarre time-loop, chasing different versions of himself across a rainy English landscape."^[4]

The Independent

"Shot in Hastings and near Derek Jarman’s garden in Dungeness, footage stars Taylor as a man caught in some kind of bizarre Eternal Sunshine trip, encapsulating an all-too-familiar sense of helplessness."^[5]

CLASH

"Taken from upcoming album 'Why Make Sense?', the track pits Taylor's melancholic purr against a soulful guest vocal."^[6]

BrooklynVegan

"Hot Chip’s new single from their forthcoming sixth album, Why Make Sense, is “Need You Now” which is a very solid house number with a hook sampled from the 1983 Sinnaman single “I Need You Now.”"^[7]

Pitchfork

"(...) this song is about needing someone you can trust, someone who cares, because everything else around you is falling apart."^[8]

Mixmag

"Goddard, of course, is 50 per cent of The 2 Bears, and while 'Why Make Sense?' only harbours one out-and-out dancefloor track – the spitting, organ-soaked 90s house of 'Need You Now' – there are plenty of 'moments' elsewhere."^[9]

Far Out Magazine

Shynola, the video's directing team, said of the intent behind the video shoot for Need You Now:
"(...) What was intended to be a piece of thrifty filmmaking ended up being a mind-melting shoot – if you can imagine shooting multiple versions of reality, but completely out of chronology, plus in the pissing rain and wind.”"^[10]

Exclaim!

"A breakup story takes a surreal twist for Hot Chip leader Alexis Taylor in the new video for the UK group's "Need You Now.""^[11]

Entertainment Weekly

Eric Renner Brown of Entertainment Weekly wrote about the track:
"This is how house music should sound. The nocturnal beat and drifting vocals coalesce for a track that should electrify hip dancefloors across the country this summer."^[12]

DIY Magazine

"For all the heavy self-discovery that threatens to weigh down ‘Need You Now’, Hot Chip have masterfully kept every moment light."^[13]

Consequence of Sound

"Now, they’ve shared the fresh album track “Need You Now”, accompanied by its time-bending video."^[14]

Beat Magazine (Australia)

"There are moments in Need You Now where I think it may work better as an instrumental, the production nearly on par with Caribou’s excellent Our Love."^[15]

References

[1] Domino Records. (n.d.). Hot Chip - Need You Now (12" White Label) | Domino Mart - Domino. https://www.dominomusic.com/releases/hot-chip/need-you-now/12-white-label

[2] Flynn, T. (2015, April 1). https://www.undertheradarmag.com/news/watch_hot_chip_-_need_you_now_video

[3] Silverstone, T. (2015, May 19). Hot Chip perform Need You Now live in session – video. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/music/video/2015/may/19/hot-chip-need-you-now-live-session-video

[4] Breihan, T. (2015, April 1). Hot chip – “Need you now” video. Stereogum. https://www.stereogum.com/1791459/hot-chip-need-you-now-video/news/

[5] O’Connor, R. (2015, May 12). Hot Chip’s Joe Goddard, interview: “Computers can squeeze the humanity out of music” | The Independent. The Independent. https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/features/hot-chip-s-joe-goddard-interview-computers-can-squeeze-the-humanity-out-of-music-10244728.html

[6] Murray, R. (2015, April 2). Hot chip – ‘Need you now’ Clash Magazine Music News, Reviews & Interviews. https://www.clashmusic.com/music-videos/hot-chip-need-you-now/

[7] BrooklynVegan Staff. (2015, Arpil 1). Hot Chip share “Need You Now” video from new LP. BrooklynVegan. https://www.brooklynvegan.com/hot-chip-share-1/

[8] Fallon, P. (2015, April 7). Hot chip: “Need you now.” Pitchfork. https://pitchfork.com/reviews/tracks/17419-hot-chip-need-you-now/

[9] Worthy, S. (2015, April 8). Hot Chip - 'Why Make Sense?' (Domino) - Reviews - Mixmag. https://mixmag.net/read/hot-chip-reviews

[10] Whatley, J. (2015, April 2). Hot Chip Release “Need You Now” Video Directed By Shynola. Far Out Magazine. https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/hot-chip-release-need-you-now-video-directed-by-shynola/

[11] Hudson, A. (2015, April 1). Hot Chip "Need You Now" (video) | Exclaim!. https://exclaim.ca/music/article/hot_chip-need_you_now_video

[12] Robinson, W., & Brown, E. R. (2015, April 10). Music we loved this week: Tyler, the Creator and A$AP Rocky return, plus another Hot Chip dance gem. EW.com. https://ew.com/article/2015/04/10/music-we-loved-this-week-tyler-creator-and-aap-rocky-return-plus-another-hot-chip/

[13] DIY Staff. (2015, April 2). Hot Chip - Need You Now review • DIY Magazine. https://diymag.com/review/hot-chip-need-you-now

[14] Kaye, B. (2015, April 1). Hot Chip premieres new song "Need You Now" and video -- watch. Consequence. https://consequence.net/2015/04/hot-chip-premiere-new-song-need-you-now-and-video-watch/

[15] Beat Magazine Staff. (2015, April 20). Hot Chip : Need you now. Beat Magazine. https://beat.com.au/hot-chip-need-you-now/

What music magazines wrote about 'Kamelemba'

PopMatters

"Thin synths add a layer of coy sweetness that dances with the earthy swell of traditional instruments that keeps on growing as the song draws to its eventual conclusion: her solo voice on a final long note."^[1]

OkayAfrica

"Grammy-winning Malian singer Oumou Sangaré teams up with South African director and fashion photographer Chris Saunders for the surreal music video for her latest song "Kamelemba.""^[2]

NOWNESS

The director of the music video for Kamelemba revealed to the video channel NOWNESS:
"This is a layered visual ode, dedicated to redefining Afro-futurism in a stark European setting. It is a portrayal of modern beauty, fashion and dance set in a realistic futuristic environment."^[3]

The Independent

"On dynamic opener “Kamelemba”, she warns against womanisers over the sharp pluck and twang of the kamele n’goni."^[4]

The Quietus

"From the sweet vocal harmonies that open the album, over tightly knotted riffs, the message is defiantly not to take advantage of her - “Stop lying to me, don’t mess me about” on ‘Kamelemba (The Womaniser)’."^[5]

Pitchfork

"The advice she offers is timely—in Wassoulou n’ke, a dialect of the Bambara language—she warns women to be careful of falling in love with vain men who will only bring them down."^[6]

beehype

"The impressive single “Kalemba” is a great example here, as local instruments – donso ngoni (a.k.a. hunter’s harp) and smaller kamale ngoni – are seamlessly suplemented by thick synth waves." [Editor's note: writing error in original -> the song title is correctly Kamelemba]^[7]

Complex

"The gradual build up of the instrumentation has the ability to discreetly work its way through the system of each listener until they feel completely engulfed by the upbeat rhythm."^[8]

References

[1] Pontecorvo, A. (2017, June 8). Oumou Sangaré: Mogoya (Album Review). PopMatters. https://www.popmatters.com/oumou-sangare-mogoya-2495389089.html

[2] Durosomo, D. (n.d.). Oumou Sangaré's New Music Video 'Redefines Afrofuturism' Through Dance - Okayplayer. OkayAfrica. https://www.okayafrica.com/oumou-sangare-kamelemba/

[3] Mathis, C. (2017, June 5). Oumou Sangaré: Kamelemba. NOWNESS. https://www.nowness.com/story/oumou-sangare-kamelemba-chris-saunders

[4] O’Connor, R. (2020, June 30). Oumou Sangaré: ‘People don’t need to speak your language to understand what you’re trying to say’ | The Independent. The Independent. https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/features/oumou-sangare-interview-acoustic-album-mali-wassoulou-music-a9587326.html

[5] Troughton, R. (2020, November 5). The Quietus | Reviews | Oumou Sangaré. The Quietus. https://thequietus.com/articles/29164-oumou-sangar-acoustic-review

[6] Okoth-Obbo, V. (2017, May 16). Oumou Sangaré: “Kamelemba.” Pitchfork. https://pitchfork.com/reviews/tracks/19101-oumou-sangare-kamelemba/

[7] Mecha, T. (2017, July 13). Mali: Oumou Sangaré - “Mogoya” – beehype – Best Music From Around the World. https://beehy.pe/oumou-sangare-mogoya-kamelemba-mali/

[8] Black, A. (2017, May 9). Oumou Sangaré highlights the infectious sounds of Mali on “Kamelemba.” Complex. https://www.complex.com/pigeons-and-planes/a/adrienne-black/malian-singer-oumou-sangare-kamelemba