Rating: 6.5/10
With her second album, e.a.l. (euro arab lovergirl), Danish-Algerian artist Zoumer (Yasmina Derradj) crafts a sonic diary that bridges the gap between the grey skies of Copenhagen and the warm percussive rhythms of Algiers. It is a « patchwork » project—recorded across four cities—that feels both deeply intimate and intentionally chaotic.
The most striking aspect of the record is how it mirrors the energy of early M.I.A. Like Maya Arulpragasam on Arular or Kala, Zoumer possesses that rare ability to mix « third-world » sounds with « first-world » electronic grit without it feeling like a gimmick. There is a shared DIY spirit here; whether she is deadpanning over a heavy darbuka beat or experimental electroclash synths, she captures that same raw, political, and unpolished defiance that made M.I.A. a global icon in the mid-2000s.
However, where the album falters is in its consistency. While tracks like « honestygirl » and « say something » are incandescent highlights, other moments feel like sketches that don’t quite reach their full potential. For this reason, we award the album a 6.5/10. It is a bold, culturally significant statement that establishes Zoumer as a unique voice, but it occasionally prioritizes vibe over cohesive songwriting.
This score places our review slightly below the broader critical consensus. For instance, Pitchfork awarded the album a 7.7/10, praising its « willful insularity » and its clever navigation between the esoteric and the populist.
Ultimately, e.a.l. is a fascinating, if slightly uneven, journey. It’s an album that « only bites when it means it, » and while it might be too « of-the-moment » for some, it marks Zoumer as an artist who—much like early M.I.A.—isn’t afraid to scuff up the shiny surface of pop to find something more authentic underneath.