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Bitter taste

1615¬Poor old Sugababes are challenging for our all-time lowest album rating (JLS since you ask). They're on 3.2 so far for their Sweet 7 album¬True¬

Middle of the road

1613¬Moderate reviews so far for the Scottish AOR pop rock singer-songwriter. Into the chart with a 5.5¬True¬

Sufi so good

1607¬The LA post-hip hop rapper's "hallucinogenic head-nod" album meanders gently into the chart with a batch of strong reviews¬True¬

Driving force

1620¬The long-serving Georgia riffmasters enter the chart with a 7.2 for their 8th album of Southern rock¬True¬

Making his mark

1604¬Orcadian folk artist Kris Drever gets a 6.6 rating on his entry into the chart with his second solo album¬True¬

Self help

1602¬The erstwhile nu-ravers have grown up, self-released and self-produced their 2nd album, and reviewers are mostly in favour¬True¬

Playlist Archive

Those we have loved (or quite liked anyway)

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Ugly Side Of Love

Malakai

Ugly Side Of Love

The two-piece from Bristol with a debut album of indie rock/pop mixed with psychedelia and samples

Critics average rating

7.1

Label
Invada
Release date
23/02/2009
  1. 8.0 |  Independent on Sunday

    It’s superb stuff; think a less tricky Tricky.
    Read Review

  2. 8.0 |  Spin

    ...they conjure the Kinks ("Moonsurfin") and the Pretty Things ("Snowflake"), but deploy samples to keep the proceedings appropriately sullied
    Read Review

  3. 7.5 |  Pitchfork

    Malachai [known as Malakai in UK] are too respectful of their retro sources to fully veer off the rock'n'roll roundabout, Ugly Side of Love nonetheless revisits a moment in British pop history through a series of surprising U-turns and thrillingly illegal lane changes
    Read Review

  4. 7.0 |  Pop Matters

    ...an outstanding level of consistency, due in no small part to the duo’s open-mindedness when it comes to taking cues from different genres. Trip-hop, reggae, post-punk, rock, pop… it’s all there
    Read Review

  5. 6.0 |  Observer Music Monthly

    Bristolians Malakai mix Love-style garage psychedelia and trippy samples with modern production savvy.
    Read Review

  6. 6.0 |  The Guardian

    It is probably fun to listen to in the right altered state - but what sounds great late on a Saturday night isn't sure to fill the remaining six-and-a-half days with unalloyed pleasure.
    Read Review

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Track preview & download

Malakai: Ugly Side Of Love

  • Download full album for just £7.99
  • 1. Warriors £0.79
  • 2. Shitkicker £0.79
  • 3. Snake Charmer £0.79
  • 4. Snow Flake £0.79
  • 5. Omega Time £0.79
  • 6. Blackbird £0.79
  • 7. Moonsurfin £0.79
  • 8. Meechs' Theme £0.79
  • 9. Only for You £0.79
  • 10. Laydown Stay Down £0.79
  • 11. Another Sun £0.79
  • 12. How Long £0.79
  • 13. Fading World £0.79
  • 14. Simple Song £0.79
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In the loop

1618¬Highly positive early reviews for the latest album of loop-based electronic experiments from the long-standing UK band¬True¬

Book mark

1598¬The US performance artist gets a 6.5 rating on her chart entry with her latest collection of chamber pop¬True¬

No chance

1625¬Severe disappointment among critics at the 4th collection of electro beats and spoken-word lyrics from the hip hop duo. Into the chart with 4.6¬True¬

Maximum impact

1612¬Into the chart with an impressive 7.5 is the 2nd album of minimal indie pop with jazz & electronica overtones from the Oregon duo¬True¬

Split vote

1628¬Only moderate reactions so far to the solo effort about his marriage split from the member of alternative hip hop act Why?¬True¬

Made in China

1619¬A couple of glowing reviews, and one stinker, so far for the artist labelled 'China's Bjork'¬True¬

Mexican waves

1617¬General approval for this concept album about the Mexican-American war from the legendary Irish folkies and equally legendary guitarist¬True¬

Past masters

1614¬As expected, the compilation from one of the most influential indie rock bands of recent years is into the Compilation & Reissues chart with a big score¬True¬