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Optimisme

Limited Edition

180 grams, LP+MP3, Gatefold

Songhoy Blues Format: Vinyl
4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 37 ratings
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Audio CD, October 23, 2020
$11.41
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Vinyl, October 23, 2020
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Editorial Reviews

Sons of mali. Ground breaking artists. Refugees. Virtuoso. Survivors. Rock stars. Unforgettable and undeniable, Songhoy blues represent the future of African rock n' Roll and today they have announced the release of their third album, optimisme, out on Transgressive Records on Friday October 23rd 2020. This 11-song, multilingual album marks a real musical breakthrough. Musically harder, steeped in deep traditions of classic malian music and desert blues and fused with an urgent and super-charged sound of now, the album was produced by Matt Sweeney of beloved indie rockers Chavez, who's worked with a host of celebrated artists including Johnny Cash, run the jewels, el-p, Cat power and will oldham, and recorded & mixed by Daniel schlett (the War on Drugs, modest Mouse, Ghost face Killah) in Brooklyn, NY.

Product details

  • Product Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 12.4 x 12.4 x 0.28 inches; 7.05 ounces
  • Manufacturer ‏ : ‎ Transgressive
  • Date First Available ‏ : ‎ August 11, 2020
  • Label ‏ : ‎ Transgressive
  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B08FBWX163
  • Number of discs ‏ : ‎ 1
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 37 ratings

Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
4.3 out of 5
37 global ratings

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Top reviews from other countries

Tebs
5.0 out of 5 stars Energising music
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 23, 2021
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Superb! Joyful,rocking ,desert blues music from a band who sacrificed a lot to literally be heard.
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Peter
1.0 out of 5 stars Disappointing
Reviewed in Australia on October 20, 2021
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I thought music will be similar to "Osibisa ". But nowhere similar & initially sounds like Heavy Rock. Not my type of Blues or Rock. Waste of money.
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Mandrek Larl
4.0 out of 5 stars The hard rocking desert blues boys are back, they're not your average world music band …
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 25, 2020
Verified Purchase
I first came across Songhoy Blues when I saw them at Glastonbury [on the TV that is, I wasn't actually there ] and realising that while I didn't understand the words I understood the music I promptly bought their first album "Music In Exile" (4 stars). I was late to the party though and eschewed their second release, "Resistance" as it was blasted by a number of Amazon's reviewers as a commercial cop-out, but I'm back for this their third album, "Optimisme".

And? Well first impressions are that like "Music In Exile" it's a good set of songs, Songhoy Blues don't do bland, they're not your average world music band. Opener "Badala" with its crunching drum intro is a bit left field and with its heavy sound its more Deep Purple than John Lee, but this is an aberration and as the translation of it's title suggests they "don't give a ... [complete as you feel appropriate]" anyway. But what follows is largely reminiscent of that first album, although heavier, as the Songhoy boys show they know how to rock. Their playing is once again superb, although the separation between the guitars is so distinct that listening in headphones is so immersive it messes with my brain as each ear hears a different competing guitar, one playing a repeated riff and the other ad-libbing before they coalesce for the choruses.

And my only complaint, perhaps after that opening track until the calmer [I won't call it a ballad or acoustic] closer "Kouma" it's all a bit similar, yes there are bits of funk thrown in, yes there are occasional unexpected swirling guitars, yes there's a bit of acoustic, and in "Worry" there's their first song in English [it actually reinforces the point that they don't need to sing in English to rock as IMO this is one of the weaker tracks] but overall there's a lot of hard rocking four to the floor with drums and bass thumping, it's good but that's why it's only four stars, but listen out for the psychedelic gear change in "Pour Toi" that takes this song from delta blues to funkadelic, it's a fabulous change and a fabulous song.

Recommended, you probably won't have it on constant rotation but it's definitely worth a listen now and then.
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RealPaulMurray
5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful Desert Blues
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 1, 2020
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An excellent new album from one of the best desert blues groups.
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One more opinion
3.0 out of 5 stars Too much rock and western influence
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 12, 2021
Verified Purchase
I admire their spirit but for me this album is too dominated by a western guitar rock sound. That is their thing, so they are doing that well, it doesn't really hold my interest though. And I do love Malian music, this just feels a step too far into a sound that we hear all the time.
I get that groups might want to try new things, and it's good that it's not just hip hop or RnB style. I've tried repeat listens to see what excites people about this group but I'm just not getting it. Add a balafon or n'goni to give a bit more colour and texture to the sound and I'd be there!
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