At Pioneer Works
| At Pioneer Works | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Live album by | ||||
| Released | July 9, 2021 | |||
| Recorded | October 2019 | |||
| Venue | Pioneer Works (Red Hook, Brooklyn) | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Label | Sahel Sounds | |||
| Producer |
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| Les Filles de Illighadad chronology | ||||
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At Pioneer Works is the third record and first live recording by Niger-based quartet Les Filles de Illighadad, released through Sahel Sounds in July 2021. It was recorded in Brooklyn at the Pioneer Works cultural center.
Critical reception[edit]
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Mojo |   [2] |
| musicOMH | [3] |
| Pitchfork | 8.0/10[4] |
| Spectrum Culture | 80%[5] |
| Uncut | 7/10[6] |
David Renard of The New York Times described the music as "repetitive and hypnotic... convey[ing] something spiritual and solemn," but noted that it also "transmits a sense of joy and playfulness that goes back to the music's roots in village life."[7]
In a review for Mojo, David Hutcheon praised the group's "insistent beat and the ragged interplay between the guitarists that is seriously (Warhol-era) Velvet Underground in its sting."[2]
Bekki Bemrose of musicOMH called At Pioneer Works the band's "definitive record to date," and stated that it "feels timeless and sacred," capturing "their tenderness, inventiveness and profound talent."[3]
Pitchfork's Allison Hussey wrote: "Notes seem to spring off of one another on every song, each tightly wound coil bouncing and unspooling in directions that are delightful to follow... The group's music imagines longstanding traditions while channeling the enthusiasm of audacious, self-determined freedom."[4]
Writing for Spectrum Culture, Pat Padua described the album as "mesmerizing," and commented: "in this spirited live performance, you can hear Les Filles open up their hearts."[5]
A writer for Aquarium Drunkard remarked: "Melodically, there is plenty of room to breathe. Each instrument... fills in what it needs to organically. Nothing is overworked, just enhanced."[8]
Track listing[edit]
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Surbajo" | 5:50 |
| 2. | "Eghass Malan" | 5:45 |
| 3. | "Telilit" | 11:06 |
| 4. | "Chakalan" | 8:18 |
| 5. | "Inssegh Inssegh" | 8:59 |
| 6. | "Irriganan" | 6:51 |
Personnel[edit]
All credits adapted from the record's Bandcamp page.[9]
- Fatou Seidi Ghali - vocals, guitar
- Alamnou Akrouni - vocals, percussion
- Amaria Hamadlher - guitar, percussion
- Abdoulaye Madassane - vocals, percussion
References[edit]
- ^ Marshall Gu (July 7, 2021). "Les Filles de Illighadad, "At Pioneer Works"". Bandcamp Daily. Retrieved August 15, 2021.
- ^ a b c "Mojo 07.21". Internet Archive. Retrieved April 14, 2023.
- ^ a b Bekki Bemrose (July 7, 2021). "Les Filles de Illighadad - At Pioneer Works". musicOMH. Retrieved April 14, 2023.
- ^ a b Allison Hussey (August 5, 2021). "Les Filles de Illighadad: At Pioneer Works Album Review". Pitchfork. Retrieved April 14, 2023.
- ^ a b Pat Padua. "Les Filles de Illighadad: At Pioneer Works - Spectrum Culture". Spectrum Culture. Retrieved April 14, 2023.
- ^ "Uncut - September 2021". Internet Archive. Retrieved April 14, 2023.
- ^ Renard, David (July 28, 2021). "Mesmerizing Sounds From the Sahara, Live in Brooklyn". The New York Times. Retrieved April 14, 2023.
- ^ Reily, E (June 11, 2021). "Les Filles de Illighadad: At Pioneer Works". Aquarium Drunkard. Retrieved April 14, 2023.
- ^ "Les Filles de Illighadad". lesfillesdeillighadad.bandcamp.com. Retrieved August 14, 2021.