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Ladytron
Studio album by
Released1 February 2019 (2019-02-01)
Recorded2016–2018
Genre
Length53:41
LabelLadytron Music
Producer
Ladytron chronology
Gravity the Seducer
(2011)
Ladytron
(2019)
Time's Arrow
(2023)
Singles from Ladytron
  1. "The Animals"
    Released: 28 February 2018
  2. "The Island"
    Released: 16 August 2018
  3. "Far from Home"
    Released: 29 November 2018
  4. "Deadzone"
    Released: 25 October 2019
  5. "Tower of Glass"
    Released: 5 February 2020
Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
AnyDecentMusic?7.0/10 [4]
Metacritic78/100 [5]
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic [6]
Bust [7]
Drowned in Sound7/10 [8]
The Guardian [3]
The Line of Best Fit7.5/10 [9]
Mojo [10]
MusicOMH [11]
Pitchfork7.7/10 [12]
Q [13]
Uncut7/10 [14]

Ladytron is the sixth studio album by English electronic music band Ladytron. It was released on 1 February 2019 through PledgeMusic as well as their Ladytron Music imprint via !K7. [15] [16] The songs "The Animals", "The Island", "Far from Home", and "Deadzone" have been released as singles. [17] [18] Daniel Hunt has described the album as "heavier" than the group's previous album, Gravity the Seducer (2011). [17]

Ladytron received generally positive reviews from critics and debuted at number twenty-six on the Scottish albums chart. [19]

Background

Ladytron went on hiatus after they finished touring their fifth album, Gravity the Seducer, but the band's members pursued solo projects. Mira Aroyo collaborated on The Projects' last album, Elektrichka's Favourite Party Record and made some documentaries. [20] [21] Daniel Hunt co-produced Marnie's debut album Crystal World, produced Lush's first release in 20 years (the EP Blind Spot) and other projects. Helen Marnie made two solo albums ( Crystal World and Strange Words and Weird Wars) and played solo shows with a live band. Reuben Wu was occupied with photography, visual art and making music for ads. [22]

The band planned to release a new album in 2013, [23] then again in 2016 [24] [25] but the plans didn't work out.

Production

On 18 July 2016, the band posted on their official website: "After a five year hiatus following the release of their fifth album Gravity the Seducer, another chapter in Ladytron's story is about to begin." [26] On 26 November 2016, Ladytron posted on Instagram an image with a SSL recording console, implying that the recording of their sixth album started. [27] On 28 February 2018, Ladytron started a PledgeMusic campaign to finish recording and releasing their new album. [28] The announcement was accompanied by the lead single, "The Animals". The recording of the album started on 25 June [15] and ended on 17 September. [29] Helen Marnie stated that they have "spent some time down in Southeast England recording it for about a month or so." [30] Ladytron and Jim Abbiss (who also co-produced Witching Hour) produced this album with the exception of "Paper Highways" and "Horrorscope" which were produced by both Vice Cooler and Mira Aroyo.

Daniel Hunt described this album as "a lot heavier than " Gravity," which was an intentionally more sedate, ethereal record. The atmospheres are there, but there's more urgency underneath." [15] Marnie added: "For us, it's like getting together with an old friend. You've both changed, but still have that common ground. Familiarity crossed with excitement." [15]

The album features guest Igor Cavalera ( Sepultura, Mixhell, Soulwax) on drums. [15] The cover art depicting a couple running towards a forest fire was created by Reuben Wu, Neil Krug and Jeff Frost. [15]

Singles

Ladytron was supported by four singles. The first single, "The Animals", was released on 28 February 2018 and was accompanied by a music video directed by Fernando Nogari. [31] "The Island" was released as the second single on 16 August 2018 and has a music video directed by Bryan M. Ferguson. [32] The third single "Far From Home" was released on 29 November. [33] A fourth single, “Deadzone”, was released in advance of a new tour in North America and U.K. on 15 September 2019 and it was accompanied by a music video directed, once again, by Bryan M. Ferguson. [34] A fifth and final single, "Tower of Glass", was released 5 February 2020 along with a music video and short film, both of which were written and directed by Manuel Nogueira and shot in the remote North East of Brazil. [35]

Release

The album was originally set for release in 12 October 2018, [36] but the release date was moved to January 2019 and then to February 2019. [15] Ladytron was released on 1 February 2019 by PledgeMusic and on 15 February by !K7. [15] Following PledgeMusic announcing bankruptcy, it emerged that not all of the promised merchandise had been manufactured, and what had been was being held by the administrators rather than despatched. There were reports that the Pledge exclusive merchandise was being sold to customers at the live shows promoting the album release, with even some fans posting photos on social media. In July 2019, Ladytron announced they had bought these items and would send them to pledgers for the postage costs. [37]

Track listing

Ladytron track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Until the Fire" Daniel Hunt
  • Ladytron
  • Jim Abbiss [a]
  • Edd Hartwell [a]
5:34
2."The Island"
  • Ladytron
  • Scott
  • Abbiss [a]
  • Hartwell [a]
4:04
3."Tower of Glass"Hunt
  • Ladytron
  • Abbiss [a]
  • Hartwell [a]
4:00
4."Far from Home"Hunt
  • Ladytron
  • Abbiss [a]
  • Hartwell [a]
3:35
5."Paper Highways"
  • Aroyo
  • Cooler
3:37
6."The Animals"Hunt
  • Ladytron
  • Abbiss
  • Hartwell [a]
4:32
7."Run"
  • Ladytron
  • Abbiss [a]
  • Hartwell [a]
2:51
8."Deadzone"Marnie
  • Ladytron
  • Abbiss [a]
  • Hartwell [a]
4:26
9."Figurine"
  • Hunt
  • Marnie
  • Wu
  • Ladytron
  • Abbiss [a]
  • Hartwell [a]
4:06
10."You've Changed"
  • Marnie
  • Scott
  • Ladytron
  • Scott
  • Abbiss [a]
  • Hartwell [a]
4:28
11."Horrorscope"
  • Aroyo
  • Cooler
  • Aroyo
  • Cooler
3:20
12."The Mountain"Hunt
  • Ladytron
  • Abbiss [a]
  • Hartwell [a]
4:32
13."Tomorrow Is Another Day"Marnie
  • Ladytron
  • Abbiss [a]
  • Hartwell [a]
4:36
Total length:53:41

Notes

  • ^a signifies an additional producer

Personnel

Ladytron

Additional musicians

  • Igor Cavalera – drums
  • Billy Brown – drums
  • John Gibbons – brass (track 6)
  • Dan Thorne – brass (track 6)
  • Dino Gollnick – additional guitars (track 11)

Technical personnel

  • Ladytron – production
  • Jim Abbiss – production, mixing (track 6); additional production (tracks 1–4, 6–10, 12–13)
  • Mira Aroyo – production (tracks 5 and 11)
  • Vice Cooler – production (tracks 5 and 11)
  • Dave Pensado – mixing (tracks 5 and 11)
  • George Chung – mixing (track 6)
  • Johnny Scott – production (tracks 2 and 10)
  • Edd Hartwell – mixing, additional production (tracks 1–4, 6–10, 12–13)
  • Daniel Woodward – additional mixing (track 6)
  • Matt Colton – mastering

Design

  • Neil Krug – artwork
  • Jeff Frost – artwork
  • Reuben Wu – artwork
  • Anders Ladegaard – layout

Charts

Chart performance for Ladytron
Chart (2019) Peak
position
Scottish Albums ( OCC) [19] 26
UK Album Downloads ( OCC) [38] 38
UK Albums Sales ( OCC) [39] 40
UK Physical Albums ( OCC) [40] 48
UK Independent Albums ( OCC) [41] 5
US Heatseekers Albums ( Billboard) [42] 3
US Independent Albums ( Billboard) [43] 10
US Top Dance/Electronic Albums ( Billboard) [44] 13
US Top Tastemaker Albums ( Billboard) [45] 16

References

  1. ^ a b Matt the Raven (14 February 2019). "Ladytron: Ladytron (Ladytron Music/!K7) Review". Retrieved 21 March 2019.
  2. ^ Yates, Don (18 February 2019). "New Music Reviews (2/18)". KEXP. Retrieved 30 April 2020.
  3. ^ a b Hutchinson, Kate (15 February 2019). "Ladytron: Ladytron review – electroclash stomp of intent". The Guardian. Retrieved 15 February 2019.
  4. ^ "Ladytron by Ladytron reviews". AnyDecentMusic?. Retrieved 18 February 2019.
  5. ^ "Ladytron by Ladytron Reviews and Tracks - Metacritic". Metacritic. Retrieved 13 February 2019.
  6. ^ Phares, Heather (15 February 2019). "Ladytron - Ladytron". AllMusic. Retrieved 15 February 2019.
  7. ^ @Ladytron (11 January 2019). "First review of our new album from @bust_magazine. 5 out of 5" ( Tweet) – via Twitter.
  8. ^ Gourlay, Dom (11 February 2019). "Album Review: Ladytron - Ladytron". Drowned in Sound. Archived from the original on 11 February 2019. Retrieved 12 February 2019.
  9. ^ Todd, Chris (14 February 2019). "Ladytron - Ladytron". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved 15 February 2019.
  10. ^ Segal, Victoria. "First record since 2011 from electro-pop incorruptibles". Mojo. No. 304. United Kingdom: Mojo. p. 96. Archived from the original on 2 February 2019. Retrieved 3 February 2019.
  11. ^ "Ladytron - Ladytron | Albums". musicOMH. 15 February 2019. Retrieved 15 February 2019.
  12. ^ Katherine St. Asaph (15 February 2019). "Ladytron: Ladytron". Pitchfork. Retrieved 15 February 2019.
  13. ^ @Ladytron (12 February 2019). "Electroclash survivors' soundtrack to a world in turmoil" ( Tweet). Retrieved 12 February 2019 – via Twitter.
  14. ^ Anderson, Jason (17 January 2019). "Uncut - March 2019". Uncut. United Kingdom. p. 29. Retrieved 1 February 2019.[ permanent dead link]
  15. ^ a b c d e f g h "Ladytron: New Album". PledgeMusic. Archived from the original on 27 July 2018. Retrieved 11 October 2018.
  16. ^ "Ladytron". web.facebook.com. Archived from the original on 26 February 2022.
  17. ^ a b Roberts, Christopher (10 October 2018). "Ladytron Officially Announce First New Album in Seven Years". Under the Radar. Retrieved 11 October 2018.
  18. ^ "Ladytron Share Latest Single From First Album in Seven Years". Self-Titled. 29 November 2018. Archived from the original on 5 December 2018. Retrieved 15 December 2018.
  19. ^ a b "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 23 February 2019.
  20. ^ "The Projects - Elektrichka's Favourite Party Record". Discogs. May 2014.
  21. ^ "Mark Moore on Instagram: "Filming for new BBC documentary on the history of dance music with Mira Aroyo (from one of my fave bands Ladytron). #markmoore #ladytron…"". Instagram. Archived from the original on 25 December 2021.
  22. ^ "Reuben Wu". Reuben Wu.
  23. ^ "Ladytron". web.facebook.com. Archived from the original on 26 February 2022.
  24. ^ "Twitter". mobile.twitter.com.
  25. ^ "Ladytron | Official Site". 30 July 2016. Archived from the original on 30 July 2016. Retrieved 3 January 2019.
  26. ^ "Ladytron | Official Site". 26 July 2016. Archived from the original on 28 July 2016.
  27. ^ "Instagram photo by Ladytron • Nov 25, 2016 at 10:27 PM". archive.is. 27 January 2020. Archived from the original on 27 January 2020.
  28. ^ Strauss, Matthew (1 March 2018). "Ladytron Announce First New Album in 7 Years, Share New Song: Listen". Pitchfork. Retrieved 11 October 2018.
  29. ^ "Ladytron". web.facebook.com. Archived from the original on 26 February 2022.
  30. ^ Jackson, Jhoni (16 August 2018). "Ladytron Channels Our Confusing Reality on 'The Island'". Paper. Retrieved 13 January 2019.
  31. ^ "Ladytron – The Animals (Official Film)". YouTube. 5 April 2018. Archived from the original on 21 December 2021.
  32. ^ "Ladytron - The Island (Official Film)". YouTube. 5 September 2018. Archived from the original on 21 December 2021.
  33. ^ "Ladytron - Far From Home (Official Audio)". YouTube. 29 November 2018. Archived from the original on 21 December 2021.
  34. ^ "NEW SINGLE AND VIDEO: DEADZONE". 28 September 2019. Archived from the original on 8 June 2020. Retrieved 28 September 2019.
  35. ^ "Ladytron Share Video and Short Film for "Tower of Glass"". 5 February 2020.
  36. ^ Leight, Elias (1 March 2018). "Ladytron Preview First New LP in Seven Years With 'The Animals'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 11 October 2018.
  37. ^ "Ladytron: New Album on PledgeMusic". Archived from the original on 6 April 2018. Retrieved 11 October 2018.
  38. ^ "Official Album Downloads Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 5 January 2024.
  39. ^ "Official Albums Sales Chart". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 5 January 2024.
  40. ^ "Official Physical Albums Chart". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 5 January 2024.
  41. ^ "Official Independent Albums Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 5 January 2024.
  42. ^ "Ladytron Chart History (Heatseekers Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved 13 December 2018.
  43. ^ "Ladytron Chart History (Independent Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved 13 December 2018.
  44. ^ "Ladytron Chart History (Top Dance/Electronic Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved 13 December 2018.
  45. ^ "Ladytron Chart History (Top Tastemaker Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved 13 December 2018.