Migration (Bonobo album)

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Migration
Studio album by
Bonobo
Released13 January 2017
Genre
Length61:53
LabelNinja Tune
ProducerSimon Green
Bonobo chronology
The North Borders
(2013) 		Migration
(2017) 		Fragments
(2022)

Migration is the sixth studio album by British DJ and record producer Simon Green, performing under the name Bonobo. It was released on 13 January 2017 through Ninja Tune. The album was recorded primarily on laptops rather than in a studio. It was supported by the release of several singles, including "Kerala". The album received generally positive reviews from critics and charted internationally, reaching the top five of the UK Albums Chart.

Background[edit]

Migration was primarily written and recorded while Green was still on tour for his previous album, The North Borders.[4] After the completion of the tour, Green completed a move from New York City to the Echo Park neighborhood of Los Angeles.[5] The move, as well as the travelling for the tour and the deaths of some family members, led Green to contemplate on themes of identity, migration, and the environment.[6] Because the tour for The North Borders consisted of approximately 175 shows across three continents for about eighteen months, the music for Migration was mainly created on a laptop as opposed to the studio environments of Green's previous albums.[5][7]

Artwork[edit]

Neil Krug served as the art director for the album.[8] Green had tasked Krug to create artwork that was "beautifully sinister".[9] Krug and Green decided that the artwork should be ambiguous and tease a thematically darker narrative.[10] As a result, the artwork, which was captured in four hours, depicts the "Martian" landscapes of the Mojave Desert.[11][8] The images were then digitally manipulated to add as much colour as possible "without being ridiculous".[9]

Release[edit]

The lead single, "Kerala", was released on 3 November 2016. The music video features Gemma Arterton attempting to run away from a meteor in a London suburb.[12][13] "Break Apart" was released next on 6 December 2016.[14] The third single, "No Reason", was released on 10 January 2017.[15] The album was released by Ninja Tune on 13 January 2017.[16]

As of 12 July 2017, Migration has sold 16,000 copies in the United States.[17]

An alternative music video for "Break Apart" was released on 25 October 2017.[18]

Critical reception[edit]

Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
AnyDecentMusic?7.2/10[19]
Metacritic77/100[20]
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[21]
Exclaim!8/10[22]
The Guardian[1]
The Irish Times[23]
Mixmag9/10[24]
Mojo[25]
The Observer[26]
Pitchfork7.3/10[2]
Q[27]
The Times[28]

Upon release, Migration received positive reviews by music critics. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalised rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream publications, the album received an average score of 77, based on twenty reviews, indicating "generally favorable" reception.[20]

Stephen Worthy of Mixmag called the album a "music-making masterclass" and praised its political themes and undertones.[24] Writing for Exclaim!, Daryl Keating also highlighted the album's thematic elements: "Bonobo questions the very nature of home ... The result is an extremely reflective record, just a few shades more tranquil than his last two albums, but easily matching their well-produced splendour."[22]

Some reviewers criticised the album for being unenterprising and too similar to Green's previous album, The North Borders. Andrew Ryce of Resident Advisor contrasted the album's themes with its cautious style, writing, "But rather than taking his sound anywhere, Migration stays put."[29] In a mixed review for The Observer, Emily Mackay similarly criticised the album, calling it "a sonically rich album, perfect for gazing dreamily out of windows at passing landscapes, even if it doesn't reach any new destinations".[26]

Accolades[edit]

Migration was nominated for Best Dance/Electronic Album at the 60th Annual Grammy Awards, though the award ultimately went to Kraftwerk for 3-D The Catalogue. The lead track "Bambro Koyo Ganda" was nominated for Best Dance Recording, which was ultimately won by LCD Soundsystem for "Tonite".[30] The album won the Album of the Year award at the 2017 Electronic Music Awards.[31]

Track listing[edit]

All tracks are written by Simon Green, except where noted

Migration track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Migration"
5:27
2."Break Apart" (featuring Rhye) 4:34
3."Outlier" 7:55
4."Grains" 4:28
5."Second Sun"
3:43
6."Surface" (featuring Nicole Miglis) 4:11
7."Bambro Koyo Ganda" (featuring Innov Gnawa) 5:02
8."Kerala" 3:57
9."Ontario" 3:52
10."No Reason" (featuring Nick Murphy)
  • Green
  • Murphy
7:28
11."7th Sevens" 5:07
12."Figures" 6:08
Total length:61:53

Charts[edit]

Weekly charts[edit]

Weekly chart performance for Migration
Chart (2017) Peak
position
Australian Albums (ARIA)[32] 12
Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria)[33] 15
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)[34] 6
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia)[35] 20
Canadian Albums (Billboard)[36] 9
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)[37] 10
Finnish Albums (Suomen virallinen lista)[38] 33
French Albums (SNEP)[39] 35
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[40] 11
Hungarian Albums (MAHASZ)[41] 40
Irish Albums (IRMA)[42] 15
Italian Albums (FIMI)[43] 49
New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)[44] 27
Polish Albums (ZPAV)[45] 16
Scottish Albums (OCC)[46] 15
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)[47] 5
UK Albums (OCC)[48] 5
UK Dance Albums (OCC)[49] 1
US Billboard 200[50] 59
US Top Dance/Electronic Albums (Billboard)[51] 1

Year-end charts[edit]

Year-end chart performance for Migration
Chart (2017) Rank
Australian Dance Albums (ARIA)[52] 42
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)[53] 119
Dutch Vinyl Albums (MegaCharts)[54] 45

Certifications[edit]

Certifications for Migration
Region Certification Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[55] Silver 60,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c Gibsone, Harriet (12 January 2017). "Bonobo: Migration review – pensive ambient electronica from a nomadic soul". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 5 December 2017. Retrieved 14 January 2017.
  2. ^ a b Scheim, Benjamin (13 January 2017). "Bonobo: Migration". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on 18 December 2019. Retrieved 18 December 2019.
  3. ^ "Bonobo - Migration". Clash. 17 January 2017. Archived from the original on 18 December 2019. Retrieved 31 October 2020.
  4. ^ Horowitz, Steven J. (6 December 2016). "British Dance Phenom Bonobo Goes Global With Migration". Vogue. Archived from the original on 28 June 2019. Retrieved 9 September 2020.
  5. ^ a b Fusilli, Jim (31 December 2016). "'Migration' by Bonobo Review: Finding the Meaning of Home". The Wall Street Journal. Archived from the original on 11 February 2018. Retrieved 9 September 2020.
  6. ^ Banham, Tom (10 January 2017). "Bonobo reveals the dark inspirations behind his new album Migration". Wired. Archived from the original on 14 October 2018. Retrieved 9 September 2020.
  7. ^ Klock, Jayme (12 April 2017). "Bonobo Talks 'Visual' New Tour, Creating His 'Migration' Album & More". Billboard. Archived from the original on 12 November 2018. Retrieved 9 September 2020.
  8. ^ a b O'Connor, Roisin (10 January 2017). "Bonobo on his new album Migration, living in LA, and observing Britain from the outside". The Independent. Archived from the original on 23 March 2020. Retrieved 9 September 2020.
  9. ^ a b Rhodes, Margaret (15 December 2016). "Bonobo's Haunting Video for 'Break Apart' Explores a Martian Landscape". Wired. Archived from the original on 4 September 2020. Retrieved 9 September 2020.
  10. ^ Steven, Rachael (10 January 2017). "Neil Krug on making the artwork for Bonobo album Migration". Creative Review. Archived from the original on 29 March 2019. Retrieved 9 September 2020.
  11. ^ Buerger, Megan (31 January 2020). "Meet the Photographer Behind Album Covers for Lana Del Rey, Tame Impala & More". Billboard. Archived from the original on 21 September 2020. Retrieved 9 September 2020.
  12. ^ Sodomsky, Sam (3 November 2016). "Bonobo Announces New Album Migration, Shares Video for New Song "Kerala": Watch". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on 30 October 2018. Retrieved 9 September 2020.
  13. ^ "Exclusive: The photography roots of Bonobo's Kerala, from director Bison". British Journal of Photography. 16 November 2016. Archived from the original on 18 August 2020. Retrieved 9 September 2020.
  14. ^ Sodomsky, Sam (6 December 2016). "Listen to Bonobo and Rhye's New Song "Break Apart"". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on 30 October 2018. Retrieved 9 September 2020.
  15. ^ Sodomsky, Sam (10 January 2017). "Bonobo and Nick Murphy (fka Chet Faker) Share New Song "No Reason": Listen". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on 13 October 2018. Retrieved 9 September 2020.
  16. ^ Pearce, Sheldon (13 January 2017). "6 Albums Out Today You Should Listen to Now: The xx, the Flaming Lips, Bonobo, More". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on 5 October 2020. Retrieved 9 September 2020.
  17. ^ Caulfield, Keith (12 July 2017). "Nielsen Music's Mid-Year 2017 Charts: The Chainsmokers Top Dance/Electronic Genre". Billboard. Archived from the original on 24 May 2018. Retrieved 11 April 2018.
  18. ^ "Bonobo gets intimate in the new video for 'Break Apart'". DIY. 26 October 2017. Archived from the original on 2 October 2020. Retrieved 9 September 2020.
  19. ^ "Migration by Bonobo reviews". AnyDecentMusic?. Archived from the original on 18 December 2019. Retrieved 18 December 2019.
  20. ^ a b "Reviews for Migration by Bonobo". Metacritic. Archived from the original on 3 March 2019. Retrieved 18 December 2019.
  21. ^ Simpson, Paul. "Migration – Bonobo". AllMusic. Retrieved 14 January 2017.
  22. ^ a b Keating, Daryl. "Bonobo Migration". Exclaim!. Archived from the original on 18 December 2019. Retrieved 6 September 2020.
  23. ^ Carroll, Jim (12 January 2017). "Bonobo – Migration album review: Moody sounds from home and away". The Irish Times. Archived from the original on 15 January 2017. Retrieved 14 January 2017.
  24. ^ a b Worthy, Stephen (3 February 2017). "Bonobo 'Migration' (Ninja Tune)". Mixmag. Archived from the original on 6 February 2017. Retrieved 18 December 2019.
  25. ^ Cowan, Andy (February 2017). "Bonobo: Migration". Mojo (279): 98.
  26. ^ a b Mackay, Emily (8 January 2017). "Bonobo: Migration review – perfect for gazing dreamily out of windows". The Observer. Archived from the original on 31 October 2020. Retrieved 18 December 2019.
  27. ^ Howe, Rupert (March 2017). "Bonobo: Migration". Q (369): 107.
  28. ^ Hodgkinson, Will (13 January 2017). "Pop: Bonobo: Migration". The Times. Archived from the original on 18 December 2019. Retrieved 18 December 2019.
  29. ^ Ryce, Andrew (16 January 2017). "Review: Bonobo - Migration". Resident Advisor. Archived from the original on 11 August 2020. Retrieved 9 September 2020.
  30. ^ Atkinson, Katie (28 January 2018). "Grammys 2018 Winners: The Complete List". Billboard. Retrieved 17 December 2020.
  31. ^ "Bonobo, Rufus du Sol, Eric Prydz & More Win 2017 Electronic Music Awards". The Hollywood Reporter. 21 September 2017. Retrieved 17 December 2020.
  32. ^ "Australiancharts.com – Bonobo – Migration". Hung Medien. Retrieved 18 December 2019.
  33. ^ "Austriancharts.at – Bonobo – Migration" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved 25 January 2017.
  34. ^ "Ultratop.be – Bonobo – Migration" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 21 January 2017.
  35. ^ "Ultratop.be – Bonobo – Migration" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved 21 January 2017.
  36. ^ "Bonobo Chart History (Canadian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved 18 December 2019.
  37. ^ "Dutchcharts.nl – Bonobo – Migration" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 21 January 2017.
  38. ^ "Bonobo: Migration" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland. Retrieved 29 January 2017.
  39. ^ "Lescharts.com – Bonobo – Migration". Hung Medien. Retrieved 24 January 2017.
  40. ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Bonobo – Migration" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved 21 January 2017.
  41. ^ "Album Top 40 slágerlista – 2017. 3. hét" (in Hungarian). MAHASZ. Retrieved 28 January 2017.
  42. ^ "Irish-charts.com – Discography Bonobo". Hung Medien. Retrieved 18 December 2019.
  43. ^ "Italiancharts.com – Bonobo – Migration". Hung Medien. Retrieved 30 October 2023.
  44. ^ "Charts.nz – Bonobo – Migration". Hung Medien. Retrieved 18 December 2019.
  45. ^ "Oficjalna lista sprzedaży :: OLiS - Official Retail Sales Chart". OLiS. Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 26 January 2017.
  46. ^ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 21 January 2017.
  47. ^ "Swisscharts.com – Bonobo – Migration". Hung Medien. Retrieved 25 January 2017.
  48. ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 21 January 2017.
  49. ^ "Official Dance Albums Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 18 December 2019.
  50. ^ "Bonobo Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved 24 January 2017.
  51. ^ "Bonobo Chart History (Top Dance/Electronic Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved 24 January 2017.
  52. ^ "ARIA Top 50 Dance Albums Chart 2017" Archived 10 August 2018 at the Wayback Machine. ARIA Charts. Retrieved 15 August 2018.
  53. ^ "Jaaroverzichten 2017: Albums" Archived 16 June 2019 at the Wayback Machine (in Dutch). Ultratop Flanders. Retrieved 15 August 2018.
  54. ^ "Jaaroverzichten – Vinyl 2017" Archived 7 August 2018 at the Wayback Machine (in Dutch). MegaCharts. Retrieved 15 August 2018.
  55. ^ "British album certifications – Bonobo – Migration". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 12 April 2020.
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