{"product_id":"ibibio-sound-machine_electricity_2022_mdl","title":"Electricity","description":"Electricity is Ibibio Sound Machine’s fourth album, and like any good afrofuturist story, it begins with an existential crisis. Born of the 2020s, it’s darker than anything the band has done before. It’s produced by the Grammy-nominated British synth-pop band Hot Chip. This is Ibibio Sound Machine’s first album made with outside producers since the band’s formation by vocalist Eno Williams and saxophonist Max Grunhard. The team created a kaleidoscope of delights, with resonances of Jonzun Crew, Grace Jones, William Onyeabor, Tom Tom Club, Kae Tempest, Keith LeBlanc, The J.B.’s, Jon Hassell’s Fourth World, and Bootsy Collins. The opening track “Protection From Evil” sees Eno Williams wielding Al Doyle (Hot Chip)’s enormous synth line as a spiritual shield against unspecified evil forces – unspecified because she is speaking in unknown tongues. The meaning of the lyrics is defined by her energetic performance. As Electricity takes flight, so do the lyrics in favour of a brighter future, alternating between English and Ibibio, and propelled by Joseph Amoako’s relentless afrobeat. She deepens this sentiment with the single “All That You Want,” assuring her romantic interest while demanding reciprocity. Meanwhile, Scott Baylis’ playful Juno synth guides the listener’s feet to the dancefloor. Electricity is a profound realization of the founding manifesto: to combine the rhythmic character of the Ibibio language with traditional West African music and more modern electronic sounds. While the band likes to venture into electronic territory, what is essential is to keep the music rooted in African roots. Ibibio Sound Machine gives the best example of this on the track “Freedom.” This song was inspired by the Baka women of Cameroon and its lyrics prompted Hot Chip and Ibibio Sound Machine to layer joyfully kinetic electronic patterns over it in the studio. As the track closes with the mantra “rage, hope, cope, soul,” it is clear that Ibibio Sound Machine has channeled and distilled these words as guiding principles, for the album and for the world that awaits it.","brand":"Ibibio Sound Machine","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55312042557784,"sku":null,"price":23956575.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0898\/4943\/0360\/files\/0673855076515.jpg?v=1760408765","url":"https:\/\/vinyles.com\/en-us\/products\/ibibio-sound-machine_electricity_2022_mdl","provider":"Vinyles.com","version":"1.0","type":"link"}