Bang (Rita Ora and Imanbek EP) explained
Bang |
Type: | EP |
Artist: | Rita Ora and Imanbek |
Cover: | Rita Ora and Imanbek - Bang EP.jpg |
Released: | 12 February 2021 |
Recorded: | 20202021 |
Genre: |
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Length: | 11:24 |
Label: |
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Producer: |
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Chronology: | Rita Ora |
Prev Title: | Phoenix |
Prev Year: | 2018 |
Next Title: | You & I |
Next Year: | 2023 |
Bang is a collaborative extended play (EP) by English singer Rita Ora and Kazakh producer Imanbek. The record was released for digital download and streaming in various countries by Atlantic, Warner and What a DJ on 12 February 2021. Created amidst the pandemic of COVID-19, it discovers various genres of club, dance, house and pop with 1980s and 1990s influences. The record was promoted with the release of a single, "Big", and a film shot in Bulgaria as a tribute to Ora's Albanian and Imanbek's Kazakh heritages. Following its release, it was met with a warm reception from music critics for the collaboration between the artists, its mainstream appeal and production. Commercially, the record reached number 16 on the US Billboard Top Dance/Electronic Albums chart.
Background and composition
On 4 February 2021, Ora and Imanbek announced the forthcoming release of their collaborative extended play entitled Bang.[1] [2] The artists confirmed its release date and track listing through an image uploaded on their social media that showcased the involved collaborators.[3] [4] The record was created remotely using the American software Zoom amidst the pandemic of COVID-19, with the aim of establishing creative connections with artists from around the world.[5] [6] [7] Despite jointly writing all four songs, it took Ora and Imanbek eight months to complete the creation process of the record.[1] [8] [9] Ora stated that "it's amazing how much technology allowed our connection to shine through [...] and this EP is proof that creative process has the power to transcend any obstacle that separates us".[1] Imanbek further elaborated on the process that "[It] brought us together not only creatively but personally and that was a great experience".[1] Atlantic, Warner and What a DJ ultimately released the record for digital download and streaming in various countries on the scheduled date of 12 February 2021. Additionally, an acoustic version of it was simultaneously introduced on the same date.
With a running time of 11 minutes and 24 seconds, Bang discovers various genres of club, dance, house and pop with the incorporation of sounds from the 1980s and 1990s.[10] [11] [12] For the record, Ora and Imanbek collaborated with several composers, including Alexander Eskeerdo Izquierdo, Gia Koka, Mike Hawkins, Sam Martin, Toby Green and William Spencer Bastian. It opens with "Big" featuring American rapper Gunna, which was created by Ora and Imanbek in partnership with British singer Ed Sheeran and French disc jockey David Guetta.[13] [14] Classified as a dance, electronic dance music (EDM), electropop, hip hop and house song,[15] [16] it commemorates the moment of having a good time.[17] [18] [19] The record progresses with the second song "Bang Bang", which samples German producer Harold Faltermeyer's single "Axel F" (1985).[20] [21] Designated as an EDM song with a club energy and house notes,[11] the song explores a dangerous and seductive love, that brings trouble.[14] [22] [23] A song featuring English and Spanish lyrics, "Mood" is the third song on the record and features Argentine rapper Khea.[24] The song combines elements of dance and hip hop with a rhythmic and upbeat funky instrumental.[14] [22] [25] The record ends with the fourth song "The One", which comprises house, pop and trap music accompanied with dance basslines and dark influences.[10] [12] [25]
Reception and promotion
Following its release, Bang was met with a warm reception from music critics. Designating it as a "star-studded EP", Farrell Sweeney from Dancing Astronaut acknowledged that each song on the record boasts its "own unique capacity for mainstream appeal" and distinguished "Big" as its "radio favorite".[22] Similarly, Ryan Ford for We Rave You described the record as a "club-ready EP" possessing "four deliciously unique singles".[14] He further emphasised "The One" as a positive conclusion to what he labeled as a "superb EP", also highlighting Ora's "vocal talents" and the duo's "impressive" mainstream appeal.[14] Selene Moral of Los 40 commented that "we find pop sounds [in the EP] that take us to the club culture of the [80s and 90s] and a flavor of house music".[16] According to a review by the editorial staff of Mix1, the record is a "remarkable compilation of songs" that incorporates several musical genres.[10] Furthermore, the latter staff awarded the song a favorable rating of 7 out of 8 stars.[10] Commercially, Bang reached number 16 on the US Billboard Top Dance/Electronic Albums ranking.
To accompany the release, a four-minute and 50-second lasting film for Bang premiered to Ora's official YouTube channel on 12 February 2021, incorporating a snippet from each song as an introduction to the record.[26] [27] [28] On the same occasion, "Big" and its accompanying music video were released as the record's lead single.[18] [29] Directed by Jasmine Loignon,[30] the scenes were filmed at the mount of Buzludzha and the cities of Pernik and Sofia in Bulgaria.[31] [32] [33] The visuals pay tribute to Ora's Albanian and Imanbek's Kazakh heritages.[7] [9] In it, the singer wears a traditional Albanian attire created by Kosovo-Albanian designer Valdrin Sahiti, which was aimed to display the Albanian ethnographic style, as intended by her.[34] [35] For further promotion, Ora performed "Bang Bang" for the first time in the eighth season of the American talk show The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on 3 March 2021.[36] [37] [38] A day later, the singer went on to perform the song on Australian breakfast show Sunrise.[39]
Track listing
Credits and tracklist adapted from Spotify.[40] [41]
Release history
Notes and References
- Bain . Katie . . Imanbek & Rita Ora Announce Collaborative Ep & 'Big' Lead Track Featuring David Guetta & Gunna . 13 March 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230313150946/https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/imanbek-rita-ora-new-ep-bang-big-featuring-david-guetta-gunna-9521275/ . 13 March 2023 . 4 February 2021 . live.
- Web site: Copsey . Rob . Official Charts Company (OCC) . Rita Ora and Imanbek to release joint Ep Bang . 13 March 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230313151047/https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/rita-ora-and-imanbek-to-release-joint-ep-bang__32370/ . 13 March 2023 . 4 February 2021 . live.
- Web site: Vicente . Juan . . Rita Ora, irreconocible en la nueva era Bang . 13 March 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230313151200/https://los40.com/los40/2021/02/05/musica/1612547189_302827.html . 13 March 2023 . es . 5 February 2021 . live.
- Web site: Souza . Diego . Papel Pop . Rita Ora anuncia 'Bang', novo Ep, para 12 de fevereiro . 13 March 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230313152142/https://www.papelpop.com/2021/02/rita-ora-anuncia-bang-novo-ep-para-12-de-fevereiro/ . 13 March 2023 . pt-br . 4 February 2021 . live.
- Web site: Los 40 . Rita Ora se une a David Guetta en 'Bang'; está en Los40 como invitada Vip en De Película . 14 March 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230314200356/https://los40.com.mx/los40/2021/02/15/musicanueva/1613404827_671493.html . 14 March 2023 . es . 18 February 2021 . live.
- Web site: Singh . Ashish . Media Entertainment Arts WorldWide (MEAWW) . Rita Ora 'Bang': Release date, tracklist, concept, how to live stream and all about singer's Ep produced over Zoom . 13 March 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230313154627/https://meaww.com/rita-ora-ep-bang-imanbek-david-guetta-release-date-tracklist-concept-live-stream . 13 March 2023 . 4 February 2021 . live.
- . Rita Ora pristatė mini albumą, o vaizdo klipe atidavė duoklę Rytų Europai . 14 March 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230314125936/https://www.lofficiel.lt/popkultura/rita-o . 14 March 2023 . lt . 15 February 2021 . live.
- Web site: White . Jack . Official Charts Company (OCC) . Rita Ora teases 'vulnerable' third studio album, potential for second Ep with Imanbek . 15 March 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230312195946/https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/rita-ora-teases-vulnerable-third-studio-album-potential-for-second-ep-with-imanbek__32461/ . 12 March 2023 . 16 February 2021 . live.
- Clément . Naomi . . Rita in Paris . 14 March 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230314134238/https://www.nylon.fr/rita-in-paris/ . 14 March 2023 . fr . 29 September 2021 . live.
- . Rita Ora & Imanbek präsentieren die Ep 'Bang' . 13 March 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230313193139/https://www.mix1.de/music/rita-ora-imanbek/bang/ . 13 March 2023 . de . 12 February 2021 . live.
- Web site: Songtexte . 'Bang Bang': Rita Ora und Imanbek liefern uns einen weiteren Edm-Chartstürmer . 13 March 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230313193319/https://www.songtexte.com/news/bang-bang-rita-ora-und-imanbek-liefern-uns-einen-weiteren-edm-chartsturmer . 13 March 2023 . de . 18 February 2021 . live.
- News: Sunkel . Cameron . EDM.com . Rita Ora Drops Collaborative, Club Ready Ep Produced by Imanbek, Bang . Edm.com - the Latest Electronic Dance Music News, Reviews & Artists . 13 March 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230313201653/https://edm.com/music-releases/rita-ora-bang-ep-imanbek-david-guetta . 13 March 2023 . 13 February 2021 . live.
- Sifredi . Bianca . L'Officiel . Al ritmo de Rita Ora . 14 March 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230314130430/https://www.lofficiel.com.ar/arte-y-cultura/rita-ora . 14 March 2023 . es . 15 March 2021 . live.
- Web site: Ford . Ryan . We Rave You . David Guetta co-produces new single 'Big' as part of Imanbek & Rita Ora Ep 'Bang' . 13 March 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230313202919/https://weraveyou.com/2021/02/imanbek-and-rita-ora-collaborate-for-blinding-new-ep-entitled-bang/ . 13 March 2023 . 16 February 2021 . live.
- Web site: Songtexte.de . 'Big': Der neue Edm-Track von Rita Ora, David Guetta, Imanbek und Gunna . 11 March 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210415032345/https://www.songtexte.com/news/big-der-neue-edm-track-von-rita-ora-david-guetta-imanbek-und-gunna . 15 April 2021 . de . 15 February 2021 . live.
- Web site: Moral . Selene . . Rita Ora, David Guetta y más artistas mezclan tradición y vanguardia en su nuevo vídeo: 'Big' . 11 March 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210216130059/https://los40.com/los40/2021/02/15/videoclips/1613410040_200833.html . 16 February 2021 . es . 16 February 2021 . live.
- Web site: . Rita Ora affronte le froid pour sa collaboration avec David Guetta et Imanbek, 'Big' . 11 March 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210218183354/https://www.nrj.fr/artistes/rita-ora/actus/rita-ora-affronte-le-froid-pour-sa-collaboration-avec-david-guetta-et-imanbek-big-71352560 . 18 February 2021 . fr . 18 February 2021 . live.
- Web site: White . Jack . Official Charts Company (OCC) . Rita Ora is back with a Bang with Imanbek-assisted EP and new single Big: First listen preview . 11 March 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221012171232/https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/rita-ora-is-back-with-a-bang-with-imanbek-assisted-ep-and-new-single-big-first-listen-preview__32415/ . 12 October 2022 . 10 February 2021 . live.
- Web site: Ruelle . Yohann . . Clip 'Big': Rita Ora dans le grand froid avec Imanbek et David Guetta pour l'Ep 'Bang' (màj) . 11 March 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230311170822/http://www.chartsinfrance.net/Rita-Ora/news-116660.html . 11 March 2023 . fr . 17 February 2021 . live.
- Web site: Griffiths . George . Official Charts Company (OCC) . Sigala and Rita Ora announce release of 'summer banger' You For Me . 14 March 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230314161457/https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/sigala-and-rita-ora-announce-release-of-summer-banger-you-for-me__33432/ . 14 March 2023 . 23 June 2021 . live.
- Web site: Jones . Ralph . . Crazy Frog returns, like it or not: 'There will always be a place for novelty songs' . 14 March 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230314161624/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2021/nov/23/crazy-frog-returns-like-it-or-not-there-will-always-be-a-place-for-novelty-songs . 14 March 2023 . 23 November 2021 . live.
- Web site: Sweeney . Farrell . . Imanbek and Rita Ora deliver star-studded Ep, 'Bang' with David Guetta, Gunna, and Khea . 12 March 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230311151059/https://dancingastronaut.com/2021/02/imanbek-and-rita-ora-deliver-star-studded-ep-bang-with-david-guetta-gunna-and-khea/ . 11 March 2023 . 13 February 2021 . live.
- News: Sunkel . Cameron . Edm.com - the Latest Electronic Dance Music News, Reviews & Artists . Rita Ora drops collaborative, club ready Ep produced by Imanbek, 'Bang' . 12 March 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210221233406/https://edm.com/music-releases/rita-ora-bang-ep-imanbek-david-guetta . 21 February 2021 . 13 February 2021 . live.
- Roiz . Jessica . Billboard . Latin Artist on the Rise: Khea on Exporting Argentine Trap to the Masses . 14 March 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230314164324/https://www.billboard.com/music/latin/latin-artist-on-the-rise-khea-interview-9531642/ . 14 March 2023 . 25 February 2021 . live.
- Web site: . Po pertraukos į sceną grįžusi Rita Ora pristatė mini albumą: vaizdo klipeduoklė Rytų Europai . 14 March 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230314164948/https://www.delfi.lt/veidai/muzika/po-pertraukos-i-scena-grizusi-rita-ora-pristate-mini-albuma-vaizdo-klipe-duokle-rytu-europai.d?id=86480503 . 14 March 2023 . lt . 13 February 2021 . live.
- News: . . Rita Ora & ImanbekBang Official EP Film . 15 March 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230315144621/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ikASj8bShrg . 15 March 2023 . 12 February 2021 . live.
- Web site: Droke . Carolyn . . Rita Ora Celebrates The Release Of Her 'Bang' Ep With A Short Film Featuring Gunna . 15 March 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220216064832/https://uproxx.com/pop/rita-ora-bang-ep-film/ . 16 February 2022 . 12 February 2021 . live.
- Web site: Mor.Bo . 6 lanzamientos recientes que debes escuchar: slowthai + Betwen Friends + JpegMafia y más . 15 March 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210922232150/https://mor.bo/6-lanzamientos-recientes-que-debes-escuchar-slowthai-betwen-friends-jpegmafia-y-mas/ . 22 September 2021 . es . 15 February 2021 . live.
- News: . YouTube . Rita Ora, David Guetta, Imanbek featuring GunnaBig Official Music Video . 12 March 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230312162222/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fe-GrSOrg1o . 12 March 2023 . 12 February 2021 . live.
- Web site: Souza . Diego . Papel Pop . Rita Ora divulga vídeo de bastidores do curta 'Bang' . 15 March 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230315152411/https://www.papelpop.com/2021/02/rita-ora-divulga-video-de-bastidores-do-curta-bang/ . 15 March 2023 . pt-br . 22 February 2021 . live.
- Web site: . Novinka Evropa 2 Music Chart: Rita Ora, David Guetta & Imanbek feat. GunnaBig . 12 March 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211018103103/https://www.evropa2.cz/clanky/evropa-2/novinka-evropa-2-music-chart-rita-ora-feat-david-guetta-imanbek-gunna-big . 18 October 2021 . cs . 3 June 2021 . live.
- Web site: Asphalt . Зад кулисите с Александра Драгова за клипа на Rita OraBang . 14 March 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230314131456/https://www.asphalt.bg/posts/rita-ora-v-blgariya-retrospekciya-s-aleksandra-dragova . 14 March 2023 . bg . 17 February 2021 . live.
- Web site: Edmonds . Lizzie . . Rita Ora: Why new music video was hardest and most thrilling I have done . 12 March 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210212072943/https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/rita-ora-new-music-video-bang-ep-imanbek-bulgaria-b919477.html . 12 February 2021 . 12 February 2021 . live.
- Web site: Komici . Migena . . Surpriza e Rita Orës, me veshje tradicionale shqiptare në klipin e ri ... . 12 March 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230312175709/https://www.topalbaniaradio.com/v7/surpriza-e-rita-ores-me-veshje-tradicionale-shqiptare-ne-klipin-e-ri/ . 12 March 2023 . sq . 8 February 2021 . live.
- Web site: . Valdrin Sahiti realizoi veshjen e Rita Orës për klipin e ri: Edhe këtë herë, ajo po vazhdon të shkëlqejë dhe të na bëjë krenarë . 12 March 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210208203920/https://telegrafi.com/valdrin-sahiti-realizoi-veshjen-e-rita-ores-per-klipin-e-ri-edhe-kete-ajo-po-vazhdon-te-shkelqeje-dhe-te-na-beje-krenare/ . 8 February 2021 . sq . 8 February 2021 . live.
- Web site: . Watch The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon S8 E95 03/02/21 . 15 March 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230315154532/https://www.nbc.com/the-tonight-show/video/rita-ora-bang-bang/4321130 . 15 March 2023 . live.
- Web site: Tube . Stage . . Video: Rita Ora Performs 'Bang Bang' on The Tonight Show . 15 March 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230315154654/https://www.broadwayworld.com/bwwtv/article/VIDEO-Rita-Ora-Performs-Bang-Bang-on-THE-TONIGHT-SHOW-20210303 . 15 March 2023 . 3 March 2021 . live.
- Web site: The Global Herald . Rita Ora: Bang BangThe Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon . 15 March 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210324140958/https://theglobalherald.com/entertainment/rita-ora-bang-bang-the-tonight-show-starring-jimmy-fallon/ . 24 March 2021 . 3 March 2021 . live.
- Web site: Goodall . Hamish . . Rita Ora dishes on The Voice Australia and performs smash-hit 'Bang Bang' . 15 March 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210308233313/https://7news.com.au/sunrise/entertainment/rita-ora-dishes-on-the-voice-australia-and-performs-smash-hit-bang-bang-c-2289645 . 8 March 2021 . 5 March 2021 . live.
- Web site: . BangEP by Rita Ora . 12 August 2023 . https://archive.today/20230812172421/https://open.spotify.com/album/4xeVBTBwaVNQhUdIRC4G9s . 12 August 2023 . 12 February 2021 . live. Note: Click on the three dots on the right of the respective tracks to display the credits.
- Web site: Spotify . Bang (Acoustic)EP by Rita Ora . 12 August 2023 . https://archive.today/20230812172612/https://open.spotify.com/album/3MreysYKSNVNI2fJjhpz9A . 12 August 2023 . 12 February 2021 . live. Note: Click on the three dots on the right of the respective tracks to display the credits.