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",[1] the album features 14 tracks plugged by Olaitan,[2] with a sole guest appearance from Olamide who was featured on "Amapiano". A remix of "Lonely at the Top" with American singer H.E.R. was released in November 2023.
| Work of Art | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 16 June 2023 | |||
| Length | 36:00 | |||
| Language |
| |||
| Label | ||||
| Producer | Magicsticks | |||
| Asake chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Singles from Work of Art | ||||
| ||||
Critical reception
edit| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| African Folder | 6/10[3] |
| Clash | 7/10[4] |
| The Guardian |   [5] |
| Pitchfork | 8.0/10[6] |
| Pulse Nigeria | 7.8/10[1] |
Alexis Petridis of The Guardian remarked that "perhaps the speed and urgency with which [Asake] makes 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" 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".[5] 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, Ayinla Omowura, and Wande Coal. His cross-generational, intercontinental music is doing the same."[6]
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".[1] 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".[4]
Track listing
editAll tracks are written by Ahmed Ololade
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Olorun" | 2:36 |
| 2. | "Awodi" | 2:16 |
| 3. | "2:30" | 2:18 |
| 4. | "Sunshine" | 3:05 |
| 5. | "Mogbe" | 2:58 |
| 6. | "Basquiat" | 2:14 |
| 7. | "Amapiano" (with Olamide) | 2:45 |
| 8. | "What's Up My G" | 2:50 |
| 9. | "I Believe" | 2:25 |
| 10. | "Introduction" | 2:18 |
| 11. | "Remember" | 3:02 |
| 12. | "Lonely at the Top" | 2:37 |
| 13. | "Great Guy" | 3:05 |
| 14. | "Yoga" | 2:16 |
| Total length: | 36:00 | |
Charts
edit| Chart (2023) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Irish Albums (IRMA)[7] | 59 |
| UK Albums (OCC)[8] | 20 |
| UK R&B Albums (OCC)[9] | 40 |
| US Billboard 200[10] | 66 |
| US World Albums (Billboard)[11] | 4 |
Certifications
edit| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom (BPI)[12] | Silver | 60,000‡ |
|
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. | ||
References
edit- ^ a b c Adebiyi, Adeayo (16 June 2023). "Asake cashes in his superstar token in Work of Art". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 20 June 2023.
- ^ FM, MAX (1 October 2024). "Asake: Redefining Nigerian Music for a Global Audience". 102.3 Max FM. Retrieved 6 October 2024.
- ^ Anifowose, Bomi (19 June 2023). "Work of Art Album By Asake: The Unimpressive One". African Folder. Retrieved 6 July 2023.
- ^ a b Murray, Robin (16 June 2023). "Asake: Work of Art Album Review". Clash. Retrieved 20 June 2023.
- ^ a b Petridis, Alexis (16 June 2023). "Asake: Work of Art review – Nigerian star's brilliance means every track could be a single". The Guardian. Retrieved 20 June 2023.
- ^ a b Kim, Joshua Minsoo (16 June 2023). "Asake: Work of Art Album Review". Pitchfork. Retrieved 20 June 2023.
- ^ "Irish Albums Chart: 23 June 2023". Irish Recorded Music Association. Retrieved 24 June 2023.
- ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 23 June 2023.
- ^ "Official R&B Albums Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 24 June 2023.
- ^ "Billboard 200: Week of July 1, 2023". Billboard. Retrieved 27 June 2023.
- ^ "World Albums: Week of July 1, 2023". Billboard. Retrieved 27 June 2023.
- ^ "British album certifications – Asake – Work Of Art". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 27 September 2024.
External links
edit- Work of Art at MusicBrainz (list of releases)
