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.
Bang | ||||
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EP by | ||||
Released | 12 February 2021 | |||
Recorded | 2020 – 2021 | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 11:24 | |||
Label | ||||
Producer |
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Rita Ora chronology | ||||
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Imanbek chronology | ||||
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Singles from Bang | ||||
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Background and composition
editOn 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.[10] Additionally, an acoustic version of it was simultaneously introduced on the same date.[11]
With a running time of 11 minutes and 24 seconds,[10] Bang discovers various genres of club, dance, house and pop with the incorporation of sounds from the 1980s and 1990s.[12][13][14] 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.[15] 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.[10][16][17] Classified as a dance, electronic dance music (EDM), electropop, hip hop and house song,[18][19] it commemorates the moment of having a good time.[20][21][22] The record progresses with the second song "Bang Bang", which samples German producer Harold Faltermeyer's single "Axel F" (1985).[10][23][24] Designated as an EDM song with a club energy and house notes,[13] the song explores a dangerous and seductive love, that brings trouble.[17][25][26] A song featuring English and Spanish lyrics, "Mood" is the third song on the record and features Argentine rapper Khea.[10][27] The song combines elements of dance and hip hop with a rhythmic and upbeat funky instrumental.[17][25][28] The record ends with the fourth song "The One", which comprises house, pop and trap music accompanied with dance basslines and dark influences.[12][14][28]
Reception and promotion
editReview scores | |
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Source | Rating |
Mix1 | [12] |
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".[25] Similarly, Ryan Ford for We Rave You described the record as a "club-ready EP" possessing "four deliciously unique singles".[17] 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.[17] 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".[19] According to a review by the editorial staff of Mix1, the record is a "remarkable compilation of songs" that incorporates several musical genres.[12] Furthermore, the latter staff awarded the song a favorable rating of 7 out of 8 stars.[12] Commercially, Bang reached number 16 on the US Billboard Top Dance/Electronic Albums ranking.[29]
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.[30][31][32] On the same occasion, "Big" and its accompanying music video were released as the record's lead single.[21][33] Directed by Jasmine Loignon,[34] the scenes were filmed at the mount of Buzludzha and the cities of Pernik and Sofia in Bulgaria.[35][36][37] 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.[38][39] 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.[40][41][42] A day later, the singer went on to perform the song on Australian breakfast show Sunrise.[43]
Track listing
editCredits and tracklist adapted from Spotify.[15][44]
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | "Big" (with David Guetta featuring Gunna) |
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| 2:36 |
2. | "Bang Bang" |
|
| 2:59 |
3. | "Mood" (featuring Khea) |
|
| 3:24 |
4. | "The One" |
| Imanbek | 2:25 |
Total length: | 11:24 |
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | "Bang Bang" |
|
| 3:05 |
2. | "Mood" (featuring Khea) |
|
| 3:23 |
3. | "The One" |
|
| 3:04 |
4. | "Big" |
|
| 2:39 |
Total length: | 12:13 |
Charts
editChart (2021) | Peak position |
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US Top Dance/Electronic Albums (Billboard)[29] | 16 |
Release history
editRegion | Date | Format(s) | Version | Label(s) | Ref. |
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Various | 12 February 2021 |
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Standard |
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Acoustic |
References
edit- ^ a b c d Bain, Katie (4 February 2021). "Imanbek & Rita Ora Announce Collaborative Ep & 'Big' Lead Track Featuring David Guetta & Gunna". Billboard. Archived from the original on 13 March 2023. Retrieved 13 March 2023.
- ^ Copsey, Rob (4 February 2021). "Rita Ora and Imanbek to release joint Ep Bang". Official Charts Company (OCC). Archived from the original on 13 March 2023. Retrieved 13 March 2023.
- ^ Vicente, Juan (5 February 2021). "Rita Ora, irreconocible en la nueva era Bang" (in Spanish). Los 40. Archived from the original on 13 March 2023. Retrieved 13 March 2023.
- ^ Souza, Diego (4 February 2021). "Rita Ora anuncia 'Bang', novo Ep, para 12 de fevereiro" (in Brazilian Portuguese). Papel Pop. Archived from the original on 13 March 2023. Retrieved 13 March 2023.
- ^ "Rita Ora se une a David Guetta en 'Bang'; está en Los40 como invitada Vip en De Película" (in Spanish). Los 40. 18 February 2021. Archived from the original on 14 March 2023. Retrieved 14 March 2023.
- ^ Singh, Ashish (4 February 2021). "Rita Ora 'Bang': Release date, tracklist, concept, how to live stream and all about singer's Ep produced over Zoom". Media Entertainment Arts WorldWide (MEAWW). Archived from the original on 13 March 2023. Retrieved 13 March 2023.
- ^ a b "Rita Ora pristatė mini albumą, o vaizdo klipe atidavė duoklę Rytų Europai". L'Officiel (in Lithuanian). 15 February 2021. Archived from the original on 14 March 2023. Retrieved 14 March 2023.
- ^ White, Jack (16 February 2021). "Rita Ora teases 'vulnerable' third studio album, potential for second Ep with Imanbek". Official Charts Company (OCC). Archived from the original on 12 March 2023. Retrieved 15 March 2023.
- ^ a b Clément, Naomi (29 September 2021). "Rita in Paris". Nylon (in French). Archived from the original on 14 March 2023. Retrieved 14 March 2023.
- ^ a b c d e f g Citations regarding the release of the standard version of Bang by Rita Ora and Imanbek in various selected countries:
- "Bang – EP by Rita Ora and Imanbek". Apple Music (Australia). 12 February 2021. Archived from the original on 13 March 2023. Retrieved 13 March 2023.
- "Bang – EP by Rita Ora and Imanbek". Apple Music (Canada). 12 February 2021. Archived from the original on 13 March 2023. Retrieved 13 March 2023.
- "Bang – EP by Rita Ora and Imanbek". Apple Music (Kazakhstan). 12 February 2021. Archived from the original on 13 March 2023. Retrieved 13 March 2023.
- "Bang – EP by Rita Ora and Imanbek". Apple Music (Kosovo). 12 February 2021. Archived from the original on 13 March 2023. Retrieved 13 March 2023.
- "Bang – EP by Rita Ora and Imanbek". Apple Music (New Zealand). 12 February 2021. Archived from the original on 13 March 2023. Retrieved 13 March 2023.
- "Bang – EP by Rita Ora and Imanbek". Apple Music (United Kingdom). 12 February 2021. Archived from the original on 13 March 2023. Retrieved 13 March 2023.
- ^ a b c Citations regarding the release of the acoustic version of Bang by Rita Ora and Imanbek in various selected countries:
- "Bang (Acoustic) – EP par Rita Ora et Imanbek" (in French). Apple Music (France). 12 February 2021. Archived from the original on 13 March 2023. Retrieved 13 March 2023.
- "Bang (Acoustic) – EP von Rita Ora und Imanbek" (in German). Apple Music (Germany). 12 February 2021. Archived from the original on 13 March 2023. Retrieved 13 March 2023.
- "Bang (Acoustic) – EP van Rita Ora en Imanbek" (in Italian). Apple Music (Italy). 12 February 2021. Archived from the original on 13 March 2023. Retrieved 13 March 2023.
- "Bang (Acoustic) – EP di Rita Ora e Imanbek" (in Dutch). Apple Music (Netherlands). 12 February 2021. Archived from the original on 13 March 2023. Retrieved 13 March 2023.
- "Bang (Acoustic) – EP de Rita Ora y Imanbek" (in Spanish). Apple Music (Portugal). 12 February 2021. Archived from the original on 13 March 2023. Retrieved 13 March 2023.
- "Bang (Acoustic) – EP de Rita Ora y Imanbek" (in Spanish). Apple Music (Spain). 12 February 2021. Archived from the original on 13 March 2023. Retrieved 13 March 2023.
- ^ a b c d e "Rita Ora & Imanbek präsentieren die Ep 'Bang'". Mix1 (in German). 12 February 2021. Archived from the original on 13 March 2023. Retrieved 13 March 2023.
- ^ a b "'Bang Bang': Rita Ora und Imanbek liefern uns einen weiteren Edm-Chartstürmer" (in German). Songtexte. 18 February 2021. Archived from the original on 13 March 2023. Retrieved 13 March 2023.
- ^ a b Sunkel, Cameron (13 February 2021). "Rita Ora Drops Collaborative, Club Ready Ep Produced by Imanbek, Bang". Edm.com - the Latest Electronic Dance Music News, Reviews & Artists. EDM.com. Archived from the original on 13 March 2023. Retrieved 13 March 2023.
- ^ a b "Bang – EP by Rita Ora". Spotify. 12 February 2021. Archived from the original on 12 August 2023. Retrieved 12 August 2023. Note: Click on the three dots on the right of the respective tracks to display the credits.
- ^ Sifredi, Bianca (15 March 2021). "Al ritmo de Rita Ora". L'Officiel (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 14 March 2023. Retrieved 14 March 2023.
- ^ a b c d e Ford, Ryan (16 February 2021). "David Guetta co-produces new single 'Big' as part of Imanbek & Rita Ora Ep 'Bang'". We Rave You. Archived from the original on 13 March 2023. Retrieved 13 March 2023.
- ^ "'Big': Der neue Edm-Track von Rita Ora, David Guetta, Imanbek und Gunna" (in German). Songtexte.de. 15 February 2021. Archived from the original on 15 April 2021. Retrieved 11 March 2023.
- ^ a b Moral, Selene (16 February 2021). "Rita Ora, David Guetta y más artistas mezclan tradición y vanguardia en su nuevo vídeo: 'Big'" (in Spanish). Los 40. Archived from the original on 16 February 2021. Retrieved 11 March 2023.
- ^ "Rita Ora affronte le froid pour sa collaboration avec David Guetta et Imanbek, 'Big'" (in French). NRJ. 18 February 2021. Archived from the original on 18 February 2021. Retrieved 11 March 2023.
- ^ a b White, Jack (10 February 2021). "Rita Ora is back with a Bang with Imanbek-assisted EP and new single Big: First listen preview". Official Charts Company (OCC). Archived from the original on 12 October 2022. Retrieved 11 March 2023.
- ^ Ruelle, Yohann (17 February 2021). "Clip 'Big': Rita Ora dans le grand froid avec Imanbek et David Guetta pour l'Ep 'Bang' (màj)" (in French). Charts in France. Archived from the original on 11 March 2023. Retrieved 11 March 2023.
- ^ Griffiths, George (23 June 2021). "Sigala and Rita Ora announce release of 'summer banger' You For Me". Official Charts Company (OCC). Archived from the original on 14 March 2023. Retrieved 14 March 2023.
- ^ Jones, Ralph (23 November 2021). "Crazy Frog returns, like it or not: 'There will always be a place for novelty songs'". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 14 March 2023. Retrieved 14 March 2023.
- ^ a b c Sweeney, Farrell (13 February 2021). "Imanbek and Rita Ora deliver star-studded Ep, 'Bang' with David Guetta, Gunna, and Khea". Dancing Astronaut. Archived from the original on 11 March 2023. Retrieved 12 March 2023.
- ^ Sunkel, Cameron (13 February 2021). "Rita Ora drops collaborative, club ready Ep produced by Imanbek, 'Bang'". Edm.com - the Latest Electronic Dance Music News, Reviews & Artists. Archived from the original on 21 February 2021. Retrieved 12 March 2021.
- ^ Roiz, Jessica (25 February 2021). "Latin Artist on the Rise: Khea on Exporting Argentine Trap to the Masses". Billboard. Archived from the original on 14 March 2023. Retrieved 14 March 2023.
- ^ a b "Po pertraukos į sceną grįžusi Rita Ora pristatė mini albumą: vaizdo klipe – duoklė Rytų Europai" (in Lithuanian). Delfi. 13 February 2021. Archived from the original on 14 March 2023. Retrieved 14 March 2023.
- ^ a b "Rita Ora Chart History (Top Dance/Electronic Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved 13 March 2023.
- ^ "Rita Ora & Imanbek – Bang | Official EP Film". Rita Ora. 12 February 2021. Archived from the original on 15 March 2023. Retrieved 15 March 2023 – via YouTube.
- ^ Droke, Carolyn (12 February 2021). "Rita Ora Celebrates The Release Of Her 'Bang' Ep With A Short Film Featuring Gunna". Uproxx. Archived from the original on 16 February 2022. Retrieved 15 March 2023.
- ^ "6 lanzamientos recientes que debes escuchar: slowthai + Betwen [sic] Friends + JpegMafia y más" (in Spanish). Mor.Bo. 15 February 2021. Archived from the original on 22 September 2021. Retrieved 15 March 2023.
- ^ "Rita Ora, David Guetta, Imanbek featuring Gunna – Big | Official Music Video". David Guetta. 12 February 2021. Archived from the original on 12 March 2023. Retrieved 12 March 2023 – via YouTube.
- ^ Souza, Diego (22 February 2021). "Rita Ora divulga vídeo de bastidores do curta 'Bang'" (in Brazilian Portuguese). Papel Pop. Archived from the original on 15 March 2023. Retrieved 15 March 2023.
- ^ "Novinka Evropa 2 Music Chart: Rita Ora, David Guetta & Imanbek feat. Gunna – Big" (in Czech). Evropa 2. 3 June 2021. Archived from the original on 18 October 2021. Retrieved 12 March 2023.
- ^ "Зад кулисите с Александра Драгова за клипа на Rita Ora – Bang". Asphalt (in Bulgarian). 17 February 2021. Archived from the original on 14 March 2023. Retrieved 14 March 2023.
- ^ Edmonds, Lizzie (12 February 2021). "Rita Ora: Why new music video was hardest and most thrilling I have done". Evening Standard. Archived from the original on 12 February 2021. Retrieved 12 March 2023.
- ^ Komici, Migena (8 February 2021). "Surpriza e Rita Orës, me veshje tradicionale shqiptare në klipin e ri ..." (in Albanian). Top Albania Radio. Archived from the original on 12 March 2023. Retrieved 12 March 2023.
- ^ "Valdrin Sahiti realizoi veshjen e Rita Orës për klipin e ri: Edhe këtë herë, ajo po vazhdon të shkëlqejë dhe të na bëjë krenarë". Telegrafi (in Albanian). 8 February 2021. Archived from the original on 8 February 2021. Retrieved 12 March 2023.
- ^ "Watch The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon S8 E95 | 03/02/21". NBC. Archived from the original on 15 March 2023. Retrieved 15 March 2023.
- ^ Tube, Stage (3 March 2021). "Video: Rita Ora Performs 'Bang Bang' on The Tonight Show". BroadwayWorld. Archived from the original on 15 March 2023. Retrieved 15 March 2023.
- ^ "Rita Ora: Bang Bang – The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon". The Global Herald. 3 March 2021. Archived from the original on 24 March 2021. Retrieved 15 March 2023.
- ^ Goodall, Hamish (5 March 2021). "Rita Ora dishes on The Voice Australia and performs smash-hit 'Bang Bang'". 7 News. Archived from the original on 8 March 2021. Retrieved 15 March 2023.
- ^ "Bang (Acoustic) – EP by Rita Ora". Spotify. 12 February 2021. Archived from the original on 12 August 2023. Retrieved 12 August 2023. Note: Click on the three dots on the right of the respective tracks to display the credits.