Simple Forms
| Simple Forms | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 14 October 2016 | |||
| Recorded | 2015–2016[1][2] | |||
| Studio |
| |||
| Length | 40:23 | |||
| Label | Somewhat Damaged | |||
| Producer |
| |||
| The Naked and Famous chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Singles from Simple Forms | ||||
Simple Forms is the third studio album by New Zealand indie electronic band The Naked and Famous. It was released on 14 October 2016 by Somewhat Damaged in partnership with Kobalt Label Services.[2] "Higher" was released as the album's lead single on 8 July 2016.[5][6]
Critical reception
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [7] |
| News.com.au | [8] |
| Rolling Stone Australia |  [9] |
Matt Collar of AllMusic commented that Simple Forms is "less overtly bombastic than the group's previous work" and "[t]here's a tenderness to the arrangements that feels straightforward and uncluttered", concluding, "Ultimately, if there is a nuanced sophistication to the band's work on Simple Forms, it feels genuine and hard-won."[7]
Jaymz Clements of Rolling Stone Australia wrote, "At times, [...] it feels like the Naked and Famous are playing musical catch-up, as Simple Forms struggles to move beyond place-holder synth-pop like 'Water Beneath You'. But when Xayalith and former partner Thom Powers team up on the sparkling 'My Energy' and 'Last Forever', their taut, dynamic atmosphere shines."[9]
Cyclone Wehner of News.com.au felt that "[t]he trouble is that TNAF [...] tend to work to an anthemic formula. And no songs here are as memorable as the early 'Young Blood'."[8]
Track listing
All tracks are written by The Naked and Famous, except where noted. All tracks produced by The Naked and Famous and Thomas Powers, except where noted
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Higher" (producers: The Naked and Famous, Powers; additional producer: Sombear) | 3:50 |
| 2. | "The Water Beneath You" | 3:52 |
| 3. | "My Energy" (producers: The Naked and Famous, Powers; additional producer: Sombear) | 4:00 |
| 4. | "Last Forever" | 4:13 |
| 5. | "Losing Our Control" | 3:56 |
| 6. | "Backslide" | 4:05 |
| 7. | "Laid Low" (writers: The Naked and Famous, Kamtin Mohager) | 3:55 |
| 8. | "The Runners" | 4:20 |
| 9. | "Falling" | 3:51 |
| 10. | "Rotten" | 4:21 |
| Total length: | 40:23 | |
Personnel
Credits adapted from the liner notes of Simple Forms.[10]
The Naked and Famous
- The Naked and Famous – production
- Thomas Powers – production
Additional personnel
- Ken Andrews – mixing
- Carlos de la Garza – live instrumentation engineering
- Joel Kefali – artwork
- Joe LaPorta – mastering
- Sombear – additional production (tracks 1, 3)
Charts
| Chart (2016) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australian Albums (ARIA)[11] | 37 |
| Canadian Albums (Billboard)[12] | 67 |
| New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)[13] | 15 |
| UK Independent Albums (OCC)[14] | 49 |
| US Billboard 200[15] | 110 |
| US Independent Albums (Billboard)[16] | 9 |
| US Top Alternative Albums (Billboard)[17] | 10 |
| US Top Rock Albums (Billboard)[18] | 17 |
Release history
| Region | Date | Label | Format | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Zealand | 14 October 2016 | Island | [19][20] | |
| Australia | [21][22] | |||
| United Kingdom | Somewhat Damaged | [23] | ||
| United States |
|
[24] |
References
- ^ "Facebook". Facebook. Retrieved 8 July 2016.
- ^ a b Geslani, Michelle (7 July 2016). "The Naked and Famous announce new album, Simple Forms, premiere "Higher" — listen". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved 8 July 2016.
- ^ "Laid Low (2016) | The Naked And Famous". 7digital (United States). 25 August 2016. Retrieved 26 August 2016.
- ^ "The Runners (2016) | The Naked And Famous". 7digital (United States). 30 September 2016. Retrieved 30 September 2016.
- ^ "The new Naked & Famous album was made in the wake of a painful break-up". The New Zealand Herald. 8 July 2016. Retrieved 8 July 2016.
- ^ "Kobalt Label Services Signs New Zealand Band The Naked And Famous". All Access Music Group. 7 July 2016. Retrieved 8 July 2016.
- ^ a b Collar, Matt. "Simple Forms – The Naked and Famous". AllMusic. Retrieved 29 October 2016.
- ^ a b Wehner, Cyclone (20 October 2016). "Latest Album Reviews: Michael Buble, The Naked and Famous, Nicolas Jaar, Pretenders, The Lemon Twigs". News.com.au. Retrieved 29 October 2016.
- ^ a b Clements, Jaymz (19 October 2016). "Album Review: The Naked and Famous – Simple Forms". Rolling Stone Australia. Retrieved 29 October 2016.
- ^ Simple Forms (liner notes). The Naked and Famous. Somewhat Damaged. 2016. SDL002CD.
{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ "Australiancharts.com – The Naked and Famous – Simple Forms". Hung Medien. Retrieved 22 October 2016.
- ^ "The Naked and Famous Chart History (Canadian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved 26 October 2016.
- ^ "Charts.nz – The Naked and Famous – Simple Forms". Hung Medien. Retrieved 21 October 2016.
- ^ "Official Independent Albums Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 25 October 2016.
- ^ "The Naked and Famous Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved 25 October 2016.
- ^ "The Naked and Famous Chart History (Independent Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved 25 October 2016.
- ^ "The Naked and Famous Chart History (Top Alternative Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved 25 October 2016.
- ^ "The Naked and Famous Chart History (Top Rock Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved 25 October 2016.
- ^ "Simple Forms". JB Hi-Fi (New Zealand). Retrieved 5 March 2018.
- ^ "Simple Forms". iTunes Store (New Zealand). 14 October 2016. Retrieved 5 March 2018.
- ^ "Simple Forms". JB Hi-Fi (Australia). Retrieved 5 March 2018.
- ^ "Simple Forms". iTunes Store (Australia). 14 October 2016. Retrieved 5 March 2018.
- ^ "Simple Forms". iTunes Store (United Kingdom). 14 October 2016. Retrieved 5 March 2018.
- ^ "Simple Forms". iTunes Store (United States). 14 October 2016. Retrieved 5 March 2018.
