Skying is the third studio album by British band The Horrors. The album was released on 11 July 2011 in the UK and on 9 August 2011[1] in the US on XL recordings. Recorded by the band in their self-built London studio, it is the first record the band produced themselves. Two months prior to the album's release, the song "Still Life" was premiered on Zane Lowe's Radio 1 show as his "Hottest Record in the World" where it was played in its entirety.[2] This was the first track to be released from the album and the first indicator to fans of the direction the album would take.
Track listing
|
1. |
"Changing the Rain" |
4:36 |
2. |
"You Said" |
4:51 |
3. |
"I Can See Through You" |
4:22 |
4. |
"Endless Blue" |
5:15 |
5. |
"Dive In" |
4:56 |
6. |
"Still Life" |
5:26 |
7. |
"Wild Eyed" |
4:09 |
8. |
"Moving Further Away" |
8:39 |
9. |
"Monica Gems" |
4:33 |
10. |
"Oceans Burning" |
7:54 |
|
|
11. |
"You Said (Ambient Version)" |
8:12 |
12. |
"Changing the Rain (Ambient Version)" |
8:56 |
|
|
11. |
"Wild Eyed (Andrew Weatherall Remix)" |
7:13 |
Reception
Skying received considerable attention from the music press before its release after the overwhelming positive response to Primary Colours. Numerous music publications confirmed it would be their album of the month in their upcoming issues including Mojo and Q. The single "Still Life" gained far more media exposure and mainstream radio airplay than previous releases, reaching the Radio 1 A list.
Reviewing the album for BBC Music, Mike Diver wrote, "There's no fault to be found with Skying – truly, every song here hits its mark... From the most incongruous of beginnings, The Horrors have become national treasures in waiting, and now possess the ability to realise any ambitions". Likewise, Clash Magazine ran the review as lead album feature, with writer Joe Zadeh declaring The Horrors "an intellectually collective five-piece, fully immersed in the confidence of their own astonishing abilities".
Mojo placed the album at number 2 on its list of "Top 50 albums of 2011"[13] while Uncut placed the album at number 6.[14] Q placed it at 11. Skying won the Best Album prize at the 2012 NME awards.
The album's sound was noted as including elements of post-punk revival,[15] neo-psychedelia,[16] and shoegazing.
Charts
Chart (2011) |
Peak position |
Scottish Albums Chart[17] |
7 |
UK Albums Chart[18] |
5 |
U.S. Billboard 200 | 97 |
U.S. Billboard Rock Albums | 18 |
U.S. Billboard Independent Albums | 11 |
U.S. Billboard Alternative Albums | 12 |
U.S. Billboard Tastemaker Albums | 3 |
Certification
Country |
Certification |
United Kingdom (BPI) |
Silver[19] |
Release history
Region |
Date |
Distributing label |
Format |
Catalog |
Australia[20] |
8 July 2011 |
XL |
2LP, CD, digital download |
2LP: XLLP539 CD: XLCD539 |
United Kingdom[21] |
11 July 2011 |
United States[22] |
9 August 2011 |
References
External links
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| Singles | |
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