Amadou & Mariam's New Album, "Folila," Out Now: "Magic," Says Newsweek; Their "Most Enjoyable Disc Yet" (AP)

Browse by:
Year
Browse by:
Publish date (field_publish_date)
Submitted by nonesuch on
Article Type
Publish date
Excerpt

Amadou & Mariam's new album, Folila, is out now in the US. The album epitomizes the duo's embrace of collaboration, with contributions by Santigold, TV on the Radio, Theophilus London, and others. Folila may be "this duo’s most enjoyable disc yet," says the APNewsweek calls them "Magic, indeed." The Philadelphia Inquirer says the duo is "adding new elements to a richly varied approach that has served them well for years." The Christian Science Monitor raves: "From start to finish, Folila can barely contain the joy." Watch an acoustic performance of two album tracks here, via The Fader.

Copy

Folila, Amadou & Mariam's first studio album since 2009's acclaimed Welcome to Mali, is out today in the United States on Because Music / Nonesuch Records. The album, which was helmed by longtime producer Marc-Antoine Moreau and epitomizes the duo's embrace of collaboration, with contributions by Santigold, TV on the Radio, Nick Zinner, Theophilus London, Bassekou Kouyate, and others, was received with critical acclaim upon its European release earlier this month, earning five stars in the Daily Telegraph and four stars in the Independent, which said the album and its many collaborations "demonstrate how adeptly Amadou & Mariam straddle both local and global, with a truly 'world' music."

Now that the album is out in the US, the critical acclaim continues on the other side of the Atlantic as well. Folila may be "this duo’s most enjoyable disc yet," says the Associated Press. "Credit the driving, rhythmic guitar playing of Amadou as the element that ties many disparate elements together. This is thrilling, catchy and complex music that satisfies even if you haven’t a clue what they’re singing about (although the package includes an English translation of the lyrics). That’s no small feat." Read the complete AP review in the Washington Post at washingtonpost.com.

Entertainment Weekly gives Folila an A-. Even with contributions from artists from around the world on the album, the music brings the artists together. "Though they sing in different languages, the tongue of teamwork makes for universal understanding," writes EW reviewer Kyle Anderson, "especially on the spry, haunting 'Wily Kataso.'" Read the review at ew.com.

Amadou & Mariam are the subject of a feature article in Newsweek, which looks at both the collaborative nature of the album and the areas where the Malian couple's own duo form shines. Newsweek's Jesse Ellison sums up the couple's appeal: "Magic, indeed." Read the article at thedailybeast.com.

The Philadelphia Inquirer gives the album three-and-a-half out of four stars with music critic Dan DeLuca noting how the couple expands upon its signature sound. "[Amadou] Bagayako's circular guitar lines and [Mariam] Doubia's deeply soulful, keening vocals have pulled from European and American sources as well as West African rhythms all along, and on Folila (which means "music" in the Malian language of Bambara), they're simply adding new elements to a richly varied approach that has served them well for years." Read the review at philly.com.

"Though Malian husband and wife duo Amadou & Mariam are blind, their new album Folila feels like music rendered in vivid Technicolor," raves the Christian Science Monitor. "From start to finish, Folila can barely contain the joy." Read more at csmonitor.com.

Planet's Thomas Beckwith recognizes a similar benefit—"a good thing"—in the duo's musical consistency. "There aren’t many bands that know who they are as well as these two, and even fewer who can maintain such quality."

---

Amadou & Mariam recently recorded duo acoustic takes on two songs from the new album, “Oh Amadou” and “Wily Kataso,” for The Fader while they were in New York City. Watch the performances here:

Oh Amadou


Wily Kataso

featuredimage
Amadou & Mariam: "Folila"
  • Tuesday, April 10, 2012
    Amadou & Mariam's New Album, "Folila," Out Now: "Magic," Says Newsweek; Their "Most Enjoyable Disc Yet" (AP)

    Folila, Amadou & Mariam's first studio album since 2009's acclaimed Welcome to Mali, is out today in the United States on Because Music / Nonesuch Records. The album, which was helmed by longtime producer Marc-Antoine Moreau and epitomizes the duo's embrace of collaboration, with contributions by Santigold, TV on the Radio, Nick Zinner, Theophilus London, Bassekou Kouyate, and others, was received with critical acclaim upon its European release earlier this month, earning five stars in the Daily Telegraph and four stars in the Independent, which said the album and its many collaborations "demonstrate how adeptly Amadou & Mariam straddle both local and global, with a truly 'world' music."

    Now that the album is out in the US, the critical acclaim continues on the other side of the Atlantic as well. Folila may be "this duo’s most enjoyable disc yet," says the Associated Press. "Credit the driving, rhythmic guitar playing of Amadou as the element that ties many disparate elements together. This is thrilling, catchy and complex music that satisfies even if you haven’t a clue what they’re singing about (although the package includes an English translation of the lyrics). That’s no small feat." Read the complete AP review in the Washington Post at washingtonpost.com.

    Entertainment Weekly gives Folila an A-. Even with contributions from artists from around the world on the album, the music brings the artists together. "Though they sing in different languages, the tongue of teamwork makes for universal understanding," writes EW reviewer Kyle Anderson, "especially on the spry, haunting 'Wily Kataso.'" Read the review at ew.com.

    Amadou & Mariam are the subject of a feature article in Newsweek, which looks at both the collaborative nature of the album and the areas where the Malian couple's own duo form shines. Newsweek's Jesse Ellison sums up the couple's appeal: "Magic, indeed." Read the article at thedailybeast.com.

    The Philadelphia Inquirer gives the album three-and-a-half out of four stars with music critic Dan DeLuca noting how the couple expands upon its signature sound. "[Amadou] Bagayako's circular guitar lines and [Mariam] Doubia's deeply soulful, keening vocals have pulled from European and American sources as well as West African rhythms all along, and on Folila (which means "music" in the Malian language of Bambara), they're simply adding new elements to a richly varied approach that has served them well for years." Read the review at philly.com.

    "Though Malian husband and wife duo Amadou & Mariam are blind, their new album Folila feels like music rendered in vivid Technicolor," raves the Christian Science Monitor. "From start to finish, Folila can barely contain the joy." Read more at csmonitor.com.

    Planet's Thomas Beckwith recognizes a similar benefit—"a good thing"—in the duo's musical consistency. "There aren’t many bands that know who they are as well as these two, and even fewer who can maintain such quality."

    ---

    Amadou & Mariam recently recorded duo acoustic takes on two songs from the new album, “Oh Amadou” and “Wily Kataso,” for The Fader while they were in New York City. Watch the performances here:

    Oh Amadou


    Wily Kataso

Enjoy This Post?

Get weekly updates right in your inbox.
terms

X By submitting my information, I agree to receive personalized updates and marketing messages about Nonesuch based on my information, interests, activities, website visits and device data and in accordance with the Privacy Policy. I understand that I can opt-out at any time by emailing privacypolicy@wmg.com.

Thank you!
x

Welcome to Nonesuch's mailing list!

Customize your notifications for tour dates near your hometown, birthday wishes, or special discounts in our online store!
terms

By submitting my information, I agree to receive personalized updates and marketing messages about Nonesuch based on my information, interests, activities, website visits and device data and in accordance with the Privacy Policy. I understand that I can opt-out at any time by emailing privacypolicy@wmg.com.

Related Posts

  • Friday, March 22, 2024
    Friday, March 22, 2024

    The Staves’ new album, All Now, produced by John Congleton (Sharon Van Etten, Angel Olsen), is out now, marking their debut album as the duo of Jessica and Camilla Staveley-Taylor, after their sister Emily’s departure. “There was a delayed reaction to trauma and these big changes out of your control,” Jess says of the period after the February 2021 release of their album Good Woman, as the band—like everyone—was forced to sit with their thoughts. Struggling after two years of deep solitude and pain, The Staves did what they know how to do best: they got back to writing with the idea of going back to basics and focusing almost solely on each other and their guitars as a starting point.

    Journal Topics: Album ReleaseArtist News
  • Friday, March 22, 2024
    Friday, March 22, 2024

    Timo Andres’ new album, The Blind Banister, is out now on Nonesuch. The album comprises three works by the composer/pianist: the piano concerto The Blind Banister (a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in 2016), with Andres as soloist, and Upstate Obscura for chamber orchestra and cello, with soloist Inbal Segev—both of which feature Metropolis Ensemble and conductor Andrew Cyr—and the solo piano piece Colorful History, also performed by Andres.

    Journal Topics: Album ReleaseArtist News