Dance, No One's Watching
| Dance, No One's Watching | ||||
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 27 September 2024 | |||
| Length | 57:44 | |||
| Label | Partisan | |||
| Ezra Collective chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Dance, No One's Watching | ||||
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Dance, No One's Watching is the third studio album by London jazz quintet Ezra Collective, released on 27 September 2024 by Partisan Records. It was preceded by two singles.
Background and release
[edit]Dance, No One's Watching is the band's follow-up to their Mercury Prize-winning 2022 album Where I'm Meant to Be.[1][2]
The album's first single, "Ajala", was released on 24 April 2024.[3] The song was recorded in Lagos in October 2023.[3] It was named after Nigerian writer Olabisi Ajala,[3] as well as being a reference to a Nigerian slang term for someone who can't sit still.[2]
The album was announced on 18 June for a release date of 27 September by Partisan Records.[4] With the announcement came the second single, "God Gave Me Feet for Dancing", featuring vocals from Yazmin Lacey and coming with a music video directed by Tajana Tokyo.[4] Drummer Femi Koleoso talked about the importance of dance in his and his bandmates' lives, and said the song is "meant to look at dancing in a more spiritual capacity, like it's our God-given ability to shake away the badness of life and dance instead."[5]
Live
[edit]Along with the album, the band announced a tour of Europe from July through November.[4] The tour will culminate with a headlining concert at Wembley Arena on November 15, the first time a British jazz act will have headlined at the venue.[6]
Critical reception
[edit]Year-end lists
[edit]| Publication/critic | Accolade | Rank | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| MOJO | 75 Best Albums of 2024 | 33 | [7] |
| Rough Trade UK | Albums of the Year 2024 | 14 | [8] |
Track listing
[edit]| No. | Title | Lyrics | Music | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Intro" | 1:22 | ||
| 2. | "The Herald" | 3:45 | ||
| 3. | "Palm Wine" | 5:13 | ||
| 4. | "Cloakroom Link Up (Act 1)" | 0:24 | ||
| 5. | "God Gave Me Feet for Dancing" (featuring Yazmin Lacey) | Lacey |
| 3:59 |
| 6. | "Ajala" |
| 4:22 | |
| 7. | "The Traveller" | 1:13 | ||
| 8. | "In the Dance (Act 2)" | 0:42 | ||
| 9. | "N29" | 3:22 | ||
| 10. | "No One's Watching Me" (featuring Olivia Dean) | 4:22 | ||
| 11. | "Our Element (Act 3)" | 0:38 | ||
| 12. | "Hear My Cry" | 3:31 | ||
| 13. | "Shaking Body" | 3:12 | ||
| 14. | "Expensive" | 6:11 | ||
| 15. | "Streets Is Calling" (featuring M.anifest and Moonchild Sanelly) | 2:33 | ||
| 16. | "Lights On (Act 4)" | 0:39 | ||
| 17. | "Why I Smile" | 5:10 | ||
| 18. | "Have Patience" | 2:00 | ||
| 19. | "Everybody" | 5:14 | ||
| Total length: | 57:44 | |||
Personnel
[edit]Ezra Collective
[edit]- Femi Koleoso – drums
- TJ Koleoso – bass
- Ife Ogunjobi – trumpet
- James Mollison – tenor saxophone
- Joe Armon-Jones – synthesiser
Additional musicians
[edit]- Yazmin Lacey – vocals (5)
- Olivia Dean (10)
- M.anifest (15)
- Moonchild Sanelly (15)
Charts
[edit]| Chart (2024) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)[9] | 76 |
| Scottish Albums (OCC)[10] | 6 |
| UK Albums (OCC)[11] | 7 |
| UK Independent Albums (OCC)[12] | 2 |
References
[edit]- ^ Griffiths, George (7 September 2023). "Mercury Prize 2023: Ezra Collective announced as winner of 2023 Mercury Prize". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 18 June 2024.
- ^ a b Richards, Will (25 April 2024). "Ezra Collective return with energetic new single "Ajala"". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 18 June 2024.
- ^ a b c Dwyer, Ross (24 April 2024). "Ezra Collective Drops New Single "Ajala"". Hypebeast. Retrieved 18 June 2024.
- ^ a b c Corcoran, Nina (18 June 2024). "Ezra Collective Announce New Album and Tour, Share Video for New Song". Pitchfork. Retrieved 18 June 2024.
- ^ Sacher, Andrew (18 June 2024). "Ezra Collective announce new album Dance, No One's Watching, share song ft. Yazmin Lacey". BrooklynVegan. Retrieved 18 June 2024.
- ^ Coney, Brian (25 April 2024). "Ezra Collective Release New Single, "Ajala"". DJ Mag. Retrieved 18 June 2024.
- ^ "MOJO's 75 Best Albums of 2024". albumoftheyear.org. 11 November 2024. Retrieved 13 November 2024.
- ^ "Albums of the Year 2024". roughtrade.com. 19 November 2024. Retrieved 20 November 2024.
- ^ "Ultratop.be – Ezra Collective – Dance No One's Watching" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 6 October 2024.
- ^ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 5 October 2024.
- ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 4 October 2024.
- ^ "Official Independent Albums Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 5 October 2024.