MartyrLoserKing (sometimes stylized as Martyr Loser King[1]) is the fifth solo studio album by Saul Williams.[2][3][4] It was released by Fader Label on January 29, 2016.[5][6] It includes guest appearances from Emily Kokal and Haleek Maul.[7]

MartyrLoserKing
Studio album by
ReleasedJanuary 29, 2016 (2016-01-29)
GenreAlternative hip hop
Length41:33
LabelFader Label
ProducerSaul Williams
Saul Williams chronology
Volcanic Sunlight
(2011)
MartyrLoserKing
(2016)
Encrypted & Vulnerable
(2019)
Singles from MartyrLoserKing
  1. "Burundi"
    Released: April 21, 2015 (2015-04-21)

Critical reception

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Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic78/100[8]
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic     [9]
Clash7/10[10]
Exclaim!8/10[11]
MusicOMH     [12]
Pitchfork7.1/10[13]
The Skinny     [14]
ViceA−[15]

At Metacritic, which assigns a weighted average score out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the album received an average score of 78% based on 17 reviews, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[8]

Sam Walker-Smart of Clash gave the album a 7 out of 10, describing it as "a fevered slice of righteous rage moving at breakneck speed, filled to the brim with unsettling production and vivid imaginary."[10] Bekki Bemrose of MusicOMH gave the album 4 stars out of 5, saying, "This collection of songs is a stark contrast to much of the politically neutered output of many contemporary musicians."[12]

Track listing

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No.TitleLength
1."Groundwork"4:15
2."Horn of the Clock-Bike"3:35
3."Ashes"2:52
4."Think Like They Book Say"3:53
5."The Bear/Coltan as Cotton"4:18
6."Burundi" (featuring Emily Kokal)4:05
7."The Noise Came from Here"2:39
8."Down for Some Ignorance"2:24
9."Roach Eggs"4:23
10."All Coltrane Solos at Once" (featuring Haleek Maul)3:23
11."No Different"2:28
12."Homes/Drones/Poems/Drums"3:18

Charts

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Chart Peak
position
US Heatseekers Albums (Billboard)[16] 11
US Independent Albums (Billboard)[17] 30
US Rap Albums (Billboard)[18] 23
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)[19] 37

References

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  1. ^ Kelly, Chris (July 8, 2015). ""Go to sleep, wake up, burn something down." Saul Williams returns with Martyr Loser King". Fact. Retrieved January 29, 2016.
  2. ^ Jackson, Noah (May 22, 2015). "saul williams wants to start a revolution". Nylon. Retrieved October 9, 2018.
  3. ^ Garrett, Ural (January 28, 2016). "Saul Williams: "MartyrLoserKing" Is "The Last Fuck That I Have To Give"". HipHopDX. Retrieved January 29, 2016.
  4. ^ Patrick, Ryan B. (January 28, 2016). "Saul Williams Talks 'MartyrLoserKing' and David Bowie's Influence". Exclaim!. Retrieved January 29, 2016.
  5. ^ Breihan, Tom (January 21, 2016). "Stream Saul Williams MartyrLoserKing". Stereogum. Retrieved January 29, 2016.
  6. ^ Aku, Timmhotep (January 20, 2016). "First Listen: Saul Williams, 'MartyrLoserKing'". NPR. Retrieved January 29, 2016.
  7. ^ Sacher, Andrew (February 1, 2016). "Saul Williams released 'MartyrLoserKing,' touring (dates)". BrooklynVegan. Retrieved June 18, 2017.
  8. ^ a b "MartyrLoserKing by Saul Williams". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Retrieved February 23, 2016.
  9. ^ Jeffries, David. "Saul Williams - Martyr Loser King". AllMusic. Retrieved January 29, 2016.
  10. ^ a b Walker-Smart, Sam (January 27, 2016). "Saul Williams - MartyrLoserKing". Clash. Retrieved January 29, 2016.
  11. ^ Patrick, Ryan B. (January 27, 2016). "Saul Williams - MartyrLoserKing". Exclaim!. Retrieved January 29, 2016.
  12. ^ a b Bemrose, Bekki (January 25, 2016). "Saul Williams – MartyrLoserKing". MusicOMH. Retrieved January 29, 2016.
  13. ^ Reeves, Mosi (January 31, 2016). "Saul Williams: MartyrLoserKing". Pitchfork. Retrieved February 23, 2016.
  14. ^ Davies, Jon (January 12, 2016). "Saul Williams – MartyrLoserKing". The Skinny. Retrieved February 23, 2016.
  15. ^ Christgau, Robert (February 19, 2016). "Poets, Playwrights, and Pranksters: Expert Witness with Robert Christgau". Vice. Retrieved February 23, 2016.
  16. ^ "Saul Williams: Chart History (Heatseekers Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved October 3, 2018.
  17. ^ "Saul Williams: Chart History (Independent Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved October 3, 2018.
  18. ^ "Saul Williams: Chart History (Rap Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved October 3, 2018.
  19. ^ "Saul Williams: Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved October 3, 2018.
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