Album Review Ibeyi - Spell 31
4 StarsExploring identities past and present playfully, and with immediacy.

“Twins are the same / It’s a cliche.” There’s every chance that - twins; Afro-French Cubans; daughters of decorated musicians - Ibeyi’s work would be attributed to explorations of identity even if they didn’t mention any at all. But on third album ‘Spell 31’ they do just this in a manner that’s playful, and with immediacy. ‘Sister 2 Sister’, from which that lyric is taken, also features the line “Singing along with Shakira / Washing our souls in the river,” at once describing their relationship with each other and, as the band’s Lisa-Kaindé put it when talking about the Pa Salieu-featuring ‘Made Of Gold’, “conveying our reconnection to [our ancestors’] power.” The Ghanaian-British rapper is one of a handful of guests here, each of whom allow Ibeyi to reflect the past and present simultaneously. Jorja Smith joins in on the slinky, Greek mythology-referencing ‘Lavender & Red Roses’, while a star turn comes from BERWYN, who adds a contemporary verse to a mesmerising cover of Black Flag’s 1981 anthem, ‘Rise Above’.
More like this

Ibeyi share new single ‘Rise Above’
Lifted from their forthcoming album ‘Spell 31’.

Jorja Smith and Ibeyi team up on ‘Lavender & Red Roses’
It’s the latest preview of Ibeyi’s upcoming album ‘Spell 31’.

Jorja Smith, Ibeyi added to We Love Green
The Paris festival takes place in June.

Ibeyi return with ‘Made of Gold’ featuring Pa Salieu
The duo’s third album is expected to be released next year.