Relaxer (album)

Relaxer
Studio album by alt-J
Released 2 June 2017 (2017-06-02)
Recorded August 2016 – January 2017
Studio Iguana Studios, Brixton
Abbey Road Studios, Westminster
The Church Studios, Crouch End
Strongroom Studios, Shoreditch
Ely Cathedral, Ely
Genre
Length 38:59
Label
Producer Charlie Andrew
alt-J chronology
This Is All Yours
(2014)This Is All Yours2014		 Relaxer
(2017)
Singles from Relaxer
  1. "3WW"
    Released: 6 March 2017
  2. "In Cold Blood"
    Released: 29 March 2017
  3. "Adeline"
    Released: 24 May 2017
  4. "Deadcrush"
    Released: 12 July 2017

Relaxer (stylised as RELAXER) is the third studio album by English indie rock band alt-J, released on 2 June 2017[5] by Infectious Music and the Canvasback Music division of Atlantic Records.[6] It was originally scheduled to be released on 9 June 2017 but the band later decided to release it a week earlier.

The band recorded Relaxer in London with producer Charlie Andrew, who also produced alt-J's first two albums. It includes songs composed entirely during the album's recording and songs dating back to the band's formative years at the University of Leeds. Six of the album's eight tracks feature strings arranged by alt-J and performed by the London Metropolitan Orchestra. "House of the Rising Sun" is a rearrangement of the traditional folk tune with additional verses from the band. "3WW" and "Deadcrush" feature guest vocals from Ellie Rowsell of Wolf Alice and "Last Year" features guest vocals from Marika Hackman, who sang on alt-J's previous album.

alt-J promoted Relaxer with the singles "3WW", "In Cold Blood", "Adeline", and "Deadcrush", with music videos for "3WW", "In Cold Blood", and "Deadcrush". The band also enlisted Japanese artist Osamu Sato to create an online game inspired by his own game LSD as part of the promotion for Relaxer. The album's artwork features a screenshot of Sato's game. A world tour will begin on 10 June 2017 with performances at festivals including Glastonbury and Boardmasters.

Background and recording

The band recorded strings and brass sections at London's famed Abbey Road Studios (pictured)

In December 2015, alt-J finished performing the final shows of their tour in support of their second studio album This Is All Yours. The band returned to London, taking their first break from writing and touring since the recording of their debut album An Awesome Wave in 2011. Drummer Thom Sonny Green released his solo debut album High Anxiety on 19 August 2016; keyboardist Gus Unger-Hamilton started a pop-up restaurant; and lead vocalist Joe Newman took time off, during which he watched films.[7] The band later reconvened in a writing studio in North London and began recording for the album in August 2016.[8]

alt-J experimented with field recording on Relaxer, and visited Ely Cathedral (pictured) in Cambridgeshire to record the cathedral's boys' choir

In November 2016, alt-J traveled to Ely, a cathedral city in Cambridgeshire, to conduct field recordings of its boys' choir, which Unger-Hamilton was a member of during his youth.[8][9] They also recorded burning sounds from the cathedral's cast iron heaters and the sounds of visitors walking its floors.[8]

The band recorded strings and brass sections at London's famed Abbey Road Studios in Westminster, which they revealed on Instagram in January 2017.[10]

Music and lyrics

"In Cold Blood" features "interweaving vocals" underpinned by the "flashes" of a brass section and the "bleeping electronics" of a Casiotone purchased by the band for £1.05 on eBay.[11]

"Hit Me Like That Snare" is "garage-rock" jam inspired by "Decks Dark" by Radiohead.[12][13] The song is about a person who goes to experience a sex hotel and wanders from room to room. It contains the lyric "We're going down, fuck my life in half," which is taken from when Joe Newman was driving to London from Southampton with his girlfriend when his car hit a large puddle and he screamed, "Fuck my life in half."[8]

The Guardian likened the music of "Deadcrush" to that of Nine Inch Nails[14], whereas PopMatters compared it to that of Depeche Mode.[15]

The title Relaxer was originally the name of song made by drummer Thom Sonny Green and was then originally in the lyrics for "Deadcrush". Green felt that the name seemed to fit the album overall, stating, "We do always want our albums to be listened to as a single piece of music."[13]

Promotion and release

On 3 March 2017, alt-J uploaded a one-minute video to social media containing new music and what was reported to be footage from the 1998 video game LSD.[16] The video was tagged with the title "00110011 01110111 01110111", which is binary code code for "3ww".[17] On 6 March 2017, Relaxer was announced with a 9 June 2017 release date and its first single "3WW" was released with an accompanying visualizer video similar to LSD.[18] On 29 March 2017, alt-J premiered "In Cold Blood" on MistaJam's BBC Radio 1 show as his 'Hottest Record in the World'.[19] It was released the same day with an accompanying visualizer video as the album's second single.[20] The band also announced that they decided to release the album a week earlier on 2 June 2017. "Adeline" was released on 24 May 2017 with an accompanying visualizer video as Relaxer's third single.[21] On 12 July 2017, "Deadcrush" was released as the fourth and final single from the album, with a music video.

A music video for "3WW" was released on 13 April 2017.[22] An Iggy Pop-narrated music video for "In Cold Blood" was released on 9 May 2017.[23] alt-J partnered with director Alex Takacs for a second time for the music video for "Deadcrush" and released it on 12 July 2017.[24]

On 19 May 2017, alt-J performed "3WW" and "In Cold Blood" on the sixth episode of the fiftieth series of Later... with Jools Holland, accompanied by Ellie Rowsell on "3WW".[25] On 18 April 2017, alt-J performed "In Cold Blood" on the 656th episode of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. The band performed the song with a backing horn section and with Questlove, the drummer of Jimmy Fallon's house band The Roots.[26] On 5 June 2017, alt-J performed "In Cold Blood" on Conan.[27]

Artwork

The album art and other promotional art for Relaxer is taken from a video game made specifically for the band by Japanese artist Osamu Sato. It was inspired by Sato's 1998 PlayStation video game, LSD, and was made available to play on the band's website.

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
AnyDecentMusic?6.7/10[28]
Metacritic65/100[29]
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[30]
Consequence of SoundC[31]
Clash8/10[32]
The Daily Telegraph[1]
The Guardian[14]
NME[2]
Pitchfork4.5/10[33]
Q[34]
Rolling Stone[35]
Uncut6/10[36]

At Metacritic, which assigns a normalised rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream publications, Relaxer received an average score of 65, based on 27 reviews.[29] In The Daily Telegraph, chief critic Neil McCormick found it "deeply gorgeous and utterly baffling", labelling it "internet era pop" with its "barrier-free absorption of so many different musical styles a product of the computer recording technology it is created with."[1] Lisa Wright of DIY praised the album, stating alt-J have "crafted possibly the most strangely original niche in modern music."[37] Kyle Mullin of Under the Radar praised the album's diversity: "This all-over-the-map approach makes Relaxer a bit dizzying and tough to digest at first, and yet you'll be immediately captivated and intrigued by its distinctive mix. And once you give it a few more listens, many of its varied songs will worm their way into your ears as some of this summer's best indie rock offerings."[36]

In a negative review, Jayson Greene of Pitchfork said, "The truth is that alt-J have never had an identity, really, apart from Newman's mangled lyrics and the fidgety, distracted arrangements of their songs. RELAXER shows us what remains after those quirks are dialed back: some perfectly nice, perfectly blank lads who have no idea why they are standing in front of you and even less of an idea what to say."[33]

Track listing

All tracks written by Joe Newman, Gus Unger-Hamilton, and Thom Sonny Green, except where noted.

No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."3WW" 5:00
2."In Cold Blood" 3:26
3."House of the Rising Sun"Traditional5:20
4."Hit Me Like That Snare" 3:37
5."Deadcrush" 3:52
6."Adeline"
5:50
7."Last Year" 6:06
8."Pleader" 5:48
Total length:38:59

Notes

Sample credits

Personnel

Credits adapted from Tidal[40] and Discogs[41]

alt-J

  • Joe Newman – guitar, vocals
  • Thom Sonny Green – drums, percussion, programming
  • Gus Unger-Hamilton – keyboards, vocals

Additional musicians

  • Ellie Rowsell – vocals (1, 5)
  • Marika Hackman – vocals (7)
  • Hinako Omori – background vocals (4)
  • Ely Cathedral Boy Choristers – choir (8)
  • London Metropolitan Orchestra – strings (1, 3, 5-8)
  • Joe Auckland – trumpet (2)
  • Adrian Hallowell – trombone (2)
  • Mike Kearsey – trombone (2)
  • Trevor Mires – trombone (2)
  • Martin Williams – tenor saxophone (2)

Technical

  • Charlie Andrew – production, mixing, engineering, programming
  • Brett Cox – engineering
  • Jay Pocknell - engineering
  • Stefano Civetta – assistant engineering
  • Paul Pritchard – assistant engineering
  • Graeme Baldwin – assistant engineering
  • Dick Beetham – mastering

Artwork and design

Charts

Chart (2017) Peak
position
Australian Albums (ARIA)[42] 4
Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria)[43] 4
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)[44] 4
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia)[45] 7
Canadian Albums (Billboard)[46] 7
Czech Albums (ČNS IFPI)[47] 23
Dutch Albums (MegaCharts)[48] 12
French Albums (SNEP)[49] 11
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[50] 13
Irish Albums (IRMA)[51] 9
Italian Albums (FIMI)[52] 25
New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)[53] 12
Portuguese Albums (AFP)[54] 23
Scottish Albums (OCC)[55] 8
Spanish Albums (PROMUSICAE)[56] 43
Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan)[57] 47
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)[58] 3
UK Albums (OCC)[59] 6
US Billboard 200[60] 14

Release history

Region Date Format(s) Label Ref.
Europe 2 June 2017 [41]
Japan Infectious [41]
United Kingdom Infectious [41]
United States
  • Infectious
  • Atlantic
 [41]

References

  1. 1 2 3 McCormick, Neil (1 June 2017). "From Alt-J to The Amazons: the best albums of the year 2017". The Daily Telegraph. London. Retrieved 2 June 2017.
  2. 1 2 Parkinson, Hannah Jane (1 June 2017). "Alt-J – 'Relaxer' Review". NME. Retrieved 2 June 2017.
  3. ↑ "Review: Alt-J's new album Relaxer sees them continuing their divisiveness, blending brief moments of innovation with plenty of baffling ones". The 405. Retrieved 3 June 2017.
  4. ↑ "Album reviews:". The Independent.
  5. ↑ Sackllah, David (29 May 2017). "Alt-J – Relaxer". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved 8 June 2017.
  6. ↑ "Preview New alt-J Song '3WW' In LP3 Teaser". Stereogum. Retrieved 3 March 2017.
  7. ↑ "alt-J Announces New Album 'RELAXER,' Drops "3WW" Single and Music Video, Tour Dates". Transverso Media. Retrieved 3 June 2017.
  8. 1 2 3 4 "IN THE STUDIO WITH ALT-J: LIFE, DEATH AND ESOTERIC SEX IS ON THE MENU FOR THE INDIE". Q. 14 March 2017.
  9. ↑ @gusunger (20 November 2016). "To Ely to record @ElyCathChoir - very excited" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  10. ↑ Johnson, Eugenie (10 January 2017). "Alt-J reveal they've been working at Abbey Road". DIY. Retrieved 10 June 2017.
  11. ↑ Murry, Robin (30 March 2017). "alt-J Drop New Track 'In Cold Blood'". Clash. Retrieved 6 June 2017.
  12. ↑ Empire, Kitty (4 June 2017). "Alt-J: Relaxer review – a change of pace gives space to breathe". The Observer. London. Retrieved 16 June 2017.
  13. 1 2 "alt-J - Relaxer Listening Party". Rough Trade. 1 January 2017. Retrieved 10 June 2017.
  14. 1 2 Gibsone, Harriet (1 June 2017). "Alt-J: Relaxer review – short, belligerent and odd". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 2 June 2017.
  15. ↑ Schiller, Mike (9 June 2017). "alt-J: Relaxer". PopMatters. Retrieved 10 June 2017.
  16. ↑ Jenke, Tyler (4 March 2017). "Alt-J announce new album details alongside new music teaser video". Tone Deaf. Retrieved 10 June 2017.
  17. ↑ Britton, Luke Morgan (3 March 2017). "Alt-J preview new music from third album ‘Relaxer’". NME. Retrieved 10 June 2017.
  18. ↑ Pearce, Sheldon (6 March 2017). "Alt-J Announce New Album Relaxer, Share New Song “3WW”: Listen". Pitchfork. Retrieved 3 June 2017.
  19. ↑ "alt-J - In Cold Blood". BBC Radio 1. 29 March 2017. Retrieved 10 June 2017.
  20. ↑ Yoo, Noah (29 March 2017). "Alt-J Release New Song “In Cold Blood”: Listen". Pitchfork. Retrieved 6 June 2017.
  21. ↑ Moore, Sam (24 May 2017). "Listen to Alt-J’s new song ‘Adeline’". NME. Retrieved 3 June 2017.
  22. ↑ Blistein, Jon (13 April 2017). "Watch Alt-J's Cryptic New '3WW' Video". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 3 June 2017.
  23. ↑ Blistein, Jon (9 May 2017). "Watch Iggy Pop Narrate Alt-J's Gruesome 'In Cold Blood' Video". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 10 June 2017.
  24. ↑ Siddall, Liv. "alt-J and Young Replicant: Deadcrush". Archived from the original on July 12, 2017.
  25. ↑ "Episode 6". Later... with Jools Holland. Series 50. Episode 6. 19 May 2017. BBC Two. Retrieved 3 June 2017.
  26. ↑ Reed, Ryan (19 April 2017). "Watch Alt-J Recruit Questlove for Winding 'In Cold Blood' on 'Fallon'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 6 June 2017.
  27. ↑ Geslani, Michelle (6 June 2017). "alt-J perform “In Cold Blood” on Conan — watch". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved 8 June 2017.
  28. ↑ "Relaxer by Alt-J reviews". AnyDecentMusic?. Retrieved 2 June 2017.
  29. 1 2 "Reviews and Tracks for Relaxer by Alt-J". Metacritic. Retrieved 2 June 2017.
  30. ↑ Monger, James Christopher (6 June 2017). "Relaxer – Alt-J". AllMusic. Retrieved 7 June 2017.
  31. ↑ Sackllah, David (30 May 2017). "Alt-J – Relaxer". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved 2 June 2017.
  32. ↑ Hussain, Shahzaib (2 June 2017). "alt-J - Relaxer". Clash. Retrieved 2 June 2017.
  33. 1 2 Greene, Jayson (6 June 2017). "alt-J: RELAXER". Pitchfork. Retrieved 6 June 2017.
  34. ↑ "Alt-J: Relaxer". Q. August 2017. p. 101.
  35. ↑ Dolan, Jon (2 June 2017). "Review: Alt-J Throw a Fun 21st-Century Ren Faire on 'Relaxer'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2 June 2017.
  36. 1 2 Lewis, John (July 2017). "Alt-J: Relaxer". Uncut. p. 25.
  37. ↑ Wright, Lisa (2 June 2017). "alt-J - Relaxer". DIY. Retrieved 10 June 2017.
  38. ↑ "Alt-J on coming to NZ, the new album Relaxer and why they covered THAT song...". 25 May 2017. Retrieved 1 June 2017 – via New Zealand Herald.
  39. ↑ @gusunger (24 May 2017). "We adapted a melody from his soundtrack to The Thin Red Line" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  40. ↑ "TIDAL". Listen.tidal.com. 2 June 2017. Retrieved 2 June 2017.
  41. 1 2 3 4 5 "Alt-J ‎– Relaxer". Discogs. Retrieved 16 January 2017.
  42. ↑ "Australiancharts.com – alt-J – Relaxer". Hung Medien. Retrieved 10 June 2017.
  43. ↑ "Austriancharts.at – alt-J – Relaxer" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved 15 June 2017.
  44. ↑ "Ultratop.be – alt-J – Relaxer" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 9 June 2017.
  45. ↑ "Ultratop.be – alt-J – Relaxer" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved 9 June 2017.
  46. ↑ "Alt-J – Chart history" Billboard Canadian Albums Chart for Alt-J. Retrieved 13 June 2017.
  47. ↑ "Czech Albums – Top 100". ČNS IFPI. Note: On the chart page, select 201723 on the field besides the word "Zobrazit", and then click over the word to retrieve the correct chart data. Retrieved 13 June 2017.
  48. ↑ "Dutchcharts.nl – alt-J – Relaxer" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 9 June 2017.
  49. ↑ "Lescharts.com – alt-J – Relaxer". Hung Medien. Retrieved 13 June 2017.
  50. ↑ "Offiziellecharts.de – alt-J – Relaxer" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved 9 June 2017.
  51. ↑ "Irish Albums Chart: 9 June 2017". Irish Recorded Music Association. Retrieved 10 June 2017.
  52. ↑ "Italiancharts.com – alt-J – Relaxer". Hung Medien. Retrieved 10 June 2017.
  53. ↑ "Charts.org.nz – alt-J – Relaxer". Hung Medien. Retrieved 9 June 2017.
  54. ↑ "Portuguesecharts.com – alt-J – Relaxer". Hung Medien. Retrieved 18 June 2017.
  55. ↑ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 10 June 2017.
  56. ↑ "Spanishcharts.com – alt-J – Relaxer". Hung Medien. Retrieved 14 June 2017.
  57. ↑ "Swedishcharts.com – alt-J – Relaxer". Hung Medien. Retrieved 9 June 2017.
  58. ↑ "Swisscharts.com – alt-J – Relaxer". Hung Medien. Retrieved 14 June 2017.
  59. ↑ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 10 June 2017.
  60. ↑ "Alt-J – Chart history" Billboard 200 for Alt-J. Retrieved 13 June 2017.
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