| Artist | Kali Malone |
|---|---|
| Cover | The Sacrificial Code.jpg |
| Released | June 28, 2019 |
| Genre | Experimental[1] |
| Length | 106:07 |
| Label | iDEAL |
| Prev year | 2018 |
| Next year | 2022 |
The Sacrificial Code is a studio album by American composer Kali Malone. It was released on June 28, 2019, through iDEAL Recordings. It received generally favorable reviews from critics.[2]
Background
Kali Malone is an American composer born in Colorado and based in Stockholm, Sweden.[3] The Sacrificial Code is her first solo album since Cast of Mind (2018).[4] She created the album while finishing a master's thesis in electroacoustic composition at the Royal College of Music, Stockholm.[5] It includes additional organ work from Ellen Arkbro.[4] It was released on June 28, 2019, through iDEAL Recordings.[6]
The reissue edition was released on April 11, 2025, through Ideologic Organ.[7] It includes a new arrangement of the title track recorded in 2023 on a 16th-century organ at Malmö Konstmuseum.[8]
Critical reception
Lewis Gordon of Resident Advisor wrote, "Its uniformity, as well as the intense slowness to Malone's performance, help make the tracks feel as if they're merging into one another, prompting a strange, temporal disorientation."[9] He added, "Like some of the most affecting drone music, The Sacrificial Code is imbued with almost magical, time-stretching properties. "[9] Philip Sherburne of Pitchfork stated, "In its bracing purity and focused intent, it remains a high-water mark in her catalog."[10]
Accolades
| Publication | List | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fact | The Best Albums of 2019 | — | |
| Pitchfork | The Best Experimental Albums of 2019 | — | |
| The Wire | Releases of the Year (2019 Rewind) | 7 |
Personnel
Credits adapted from the 2019 original edition's liner notes.[13]
- Kali Malone – performance, recording
- Karl Sjölund – recording assistance (4–6)
- Ellen Arkbro – performance (7–10)
- Rasmus Persson – recording (7–10)
- Rashad Becker – mastering
- A.M. Rehm – photography
References
- ^ "The Best Experimental Albums of 2019". Pitchfork. December 16, 2019. Archived February 29, 2020 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved February 12, 2026.
- ^ "Sacrificial Code by Kali Malone". Metacritic. Archived June 11, 2022 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved February 12, 2026.
- ^ Simpson, Paul. "Kali Malone". AllMusic. Retrieved February 12, 2026.
- ^ Cetin, Marissa (June 28, 2019). "Kali Malone releases new album, The Sacrificial Code". Resident Advisor. Archived November 15, 2020 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved February 12, 2026.
- ^ Eede, Christian (February 26, 2025). "Kali Malone Unveils 'The Sacrificial Code' Reissue". The Quietus. Archived March 28, 2025 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved February 12, 2026.
- ^ JasonC (June 27, 2019). "Kali Malone announces new album The Sacrificial Code, featuring a paltry two hours of organ pieces". Tiny Mix Tapes. Archived September 23, 2020 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved February 12, 2026.
- ^ DeVille, Chris (February 26, 2025). "Kali Malone Announces The Sacrificial Code Reissue, Shares New Track". Stereogum. Archived March 15, 2025 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved February 12, 2026.
- ^ Strauss, Matthew (February 26, 2025). "Kali Malone Announces New Sacrificial Code Reissue, Shares Song: Listen". Pitchfork. Archived March 22, 2025 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved February 12, 2026.
- ^ Gordon, Lewis (August 23, 2019). "Kali Malone - The Sacrificial Code". Resident Advisor. Archived September 3, 2019 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved February 12, 2026.
- ^ Sherburne, Philip (April 12, 2025). "Kali Malone: The Sacrificial Code". Pitchfork. Archived May 28, 2025 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved February 12, 2026.
- ^ "The best albums of 2019". Fact. December 19, 2019. Archived August 10, 2020 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved February 12, 2026.
- ^ "Releases of the Year". The Wire. No. 431. January 2020. pp. 29–34.
- ^ "The Sacrificial Code (2019 edition) | KALI MALONE". Bandcamp. Archived June 4, 2025 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved February 12, 2026.
Further reading
- Helfand, Raphael (May 15, 2023). "Catholic fundamentalists force cancellation of Kali Malone church concert". The Fader. Archived March 5, 2024 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved February 12, 2026.
- Monroe, Jazz (May 15, 2023). "Kali Malone Church Concert Canceled After Far-Right Catholics Protest "Profane" Song Titles". Pitchfork. Archived July 18, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved February 12, 2026.