Fongola

Fongola is the debut album of Congolese experimental electronic pop musical group KOKOKO!, released 5 July 2019 by Transgressive Records. The album is made with a combination of instruments made from junk and electronic instruments.

Fongola
Studio album by
KOKOKO!
ReleasedJuly 5, 2019 (2019-07-05)[1]
GenreElectronic pop[1]
Length43:45
LabelTransgressive[2]
ProducerDébruit (Xavier Thomas)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[1]
The Guardian[3]
DIY[2]

Background

KOKOKO! was formed in 2016 in Kinshasa, brought together by French musician Débruit (Xavier Thomas), their producer.[3] Between 2016 and 2018, the group toured worldwide. In 2017, the group released their first single Tokoliana (the final track of Fongola), which brought them attention from major media publications such as Time.[4] KOKOKO! is known for their use of instruments made of junk, metal scrap, and wood, combined with electronic elements, to create their sound. Their lyrics are in Kikongo, French, Lingala, and Swahili.[5]

Music and composition

The sound of Fongola comes from KOKOKO!'s combination of improvised instruments (including percussion instruments made from bottles and a three-stringed guitar)[3] and Thomas's electronic synths. The group's singer was Makara Bianko, and the instruments were created by Dido Oweke, Boms Bomolo, and Love Lokombe.[6] The album was recorded in makeshift studios.[1] The group cites their influences in their music as the sounds of the city of Kinshasa.[6] AllMusic describes their sound as a "fascinating mix of rugged lo-fi beats, relentless grooves, rousing vocal interplay, and kitchen-sink cacophony that sounds like nothing else being made in Africa or any other continent."[1] DIY described the music as "punk disguised as dance".[2]

When KOKOKO! first announced Fongola, they released its third track, Buka Dansa, to the public. On 2 July 2019, they released the tenth track, Kitoko.[6]

Reception

The album released to rave reviews.[5] Many reviewers took special notice to the sound of the second track, Azo Toke.[2][3][1] The album was included in NPR's list of the top 10 albums of July,[7] and on Bandcamp Daily's list of "essential releases".[8] London in Stereo described it as a "must have".[9]

Fongola Instrumentals

In 2021, KOKOKO! announced Fongola Instrumentals, which was released on 5 February. For the release of the instrumental version of the album, the group built eight "playable sleeves".[10]

Track listing
No.TitleLength
1."Likolo"4:00
2."Azo Toke"3:58
3."Buka Dansa"4:21
4."Identité"4:10
5."Malembe"3:55
6."L.O.V.E."2:56
7."Tongos'a"3:48
8."Zala Mayele"4:59
9."Singa"3:06
10."Kitoko"4:42
11."Tokoliana"3:46
Total length:43:45

References
  1. Monger, Timothy. "Fongola - Kokoko!". AllMusic. Retrieved 29 May 2021.
  2. Taylor, Chris (5 July 2019). "KOKOKO! - Fongola". DIY. Retrieved 29 May 2021.
  3. Kalia, Ammar (11 July 2019). "Kokoko!: Fongola review – commanding percussive DIY from DRC innovators". The Guardian. Retrieved 29 May 2021.
  4. Solomon, Feliz (4 May 2017). "KOKOKO! Are a Congolese Band That Make Music From Electronic Junk. You Have to See Their Incredible Video". Time. Retrieved 29 May 2021.
  5. Sarmiento, Isabella Gomez (19 October 2019). "Congo's KOKOKO! Makes Joyful Dance Music From Instruments Made Of Junk". NPR. Retrieved 29 May 2021.
  6. Vickery, Morgan (2 July 2019). "Flaunt Premiere - KOKOKO!". Flaunt Magazine. Retrieved 29 May 2021.
  7. "NPR Music's Top 10 Albums Of July". NPR. 31 July 2019. Retrieved 29 May 2021.
  8. "This Week's Essential Releases: Congolese Electronic, Japanese Shoegaze, Folk And More". Bandcamp Daily. 12 July 2019. Retrieved 29 May 2021.
  9. Mills, Alex (5 July 2019). "KOKOKO! – Fongola // Album Review". London in Stereo. Retrieved 29 May 2021.
  10. "KOKOKO! announce 'Fongola Instrumentals'". DIY. 7 January 2021. Retrieved 7 July 2021.
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