''Work of Art'' is the second studio album by Nigerian singer
Asake, released on 16 June 2023 through
YBNL Nation and
Empire Distribution. Preceded by the release of the singles "Yoga", "2:30" and "
Amapiano",
the album features 14 tracks, with a sole guest appearance from
Olamide
Olamide Gbenga Adedeji (born 15 March 1989) is a Nigerian rapper, singer, songwriter, and record executive. Widely regarded as one of the biggest and most influential artists in Africa, he has been instrumental to the launching of the careers ...
who was featured on "Amapiano". A remix of "
Lonely at the Top" with American singer
H.E.R.
Gabriella Sarmiento Wilson (born June 27, 1997), known professionally as H.E.R. (pronounced "her", an acronym for "Having Everything Revealed"), is an American singer, songwriter, musician and actress.
She has received several awards includin ...
was released in November 2023.
Critical reception
Alexis Petridis
Alexis Petridis ( el, Αλέξης Πετρίδης; born 13 September 1971) is a British journalist, head rock and pop critic for the UK newspaper ''The Guardian'', as well as a regular contributor to the magazine '' GQ''. In addition to his mus ...
of ''
The Guardian'' remarked that "perhaps the speed and urgency with which
sakemakes music accounts for the fact that ''Work of Art'' doesn't shift dramatically away from the blueprint laid out on ''
Mr. Money with the Vibe
''Mr. Money with the Vibe'' is the debut studio album by Nigerian singer Asake, following his signing with YBNL Nation in February 2022. It was released on 7 September 2022 through Empire Distribution. The album comprises 12 tracks, which were a ...
''" but also "perhaps Asake is disinclined to fix something that isn't broken, and not merely on account of his last album's success: the constituent elements still amount to a beguilingly lovely sound, summery and appealing".
Joshua Minsoo Kim of ''
Pitchfork'' felt that "Asake understands that his winning formula needs no adjustments" and "some of the most irresistible songs on ''Work of Art'' are cheery", like the song "Sunshine". Kim concluded by pointing out that "Asake grew up listening to Nigerian artists who continually evolved the country’s music, like
Fela Kuti
Fela Aníkúlápó Kuti (born Olufela Olusegun Oludotun Ransome-Kuti; 15 October 1938 – 2 August 1997), also known as Abami Eda, was a Nigerian musician, bandleader, composer, political activist, and Pan-Africanist. He is regarded as the p ...
,
Ayinla Omowura, and
Wande Coal. His cross-generational, intercontinental music is doing the same."
Adeayo Adebiyi of ''Pulse Nigeria'' wrote that the album "rides on momentum and offers sufficient quality for Asake to stabilize his superstar status. And even though it lacks the excitement of his debut album, the mainstream is still largely shaped by his sound so there will be little room for checkmating".
Robin Murray of ''
Clash'' described ''Work of Art'' as "the product of someone who cares deeply about every single detail on display" and called it "ridiculously entertaining from start to finish" as it "begins at top speed then hits the accelerator" and is "peppered with fantastic hooks". Murray felt that "if there's one fault here it's that ''Work of Art'' never strays far from formula".
Track listing
Charts
References
External links
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2023 albums
Asake albums
Empire Distribution albums
YBNL Nation albums
Yoruba-language albums