| Work of Art | ||||
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 16 June 2023 | |||
| Length | 36:00 | |||
| Language |
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| Label | ||||
| Producer | Magicsticks | |||
| Asake chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Work of Art | ||||
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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, with a sole guest appearance from Olamide who was featured on the latter single.
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Clash | 7/10 [2] |
| The Guardian |   [3] |
| Pitchfork | 8.0/10 [4] |
| Pulse Nigeria | 7.8/10 [1] |
| African Folder | 6/10 [5] |
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". [3] 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." [4]
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". [2]
All 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 | |
| Chart (2023) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Irish Albums (IRMA) [6] | 59 |
| UK Albums (OCC) [7] | 20 |
| UK R&B Albums (OCC) [8] | 40 |
| US Billboard 200 [9] | 66 |
| US World Albums ( Billboard ) [10] | 4 |
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