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Superorganism (Superorganism album)

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Superorganism
Studio album by
Superorganism
Released2 March 2018
Genre
Length33:04
LabelDomino
ProducerSuperorganism
Singles from Superorganism
  1. "Something for Your M.I.N.D."
    Released: 26 January 2017[7]
  2. "It's All Good"
    Released: 26 April 2017[8]
  3. "Nobody Cares"
    Released: 24 May 2017[9]
  4. "Everybody Wants to Be Famous"
    Released: 2 January 2018[10]
  5. "Reflections on the Screen"
    Released: 20 February 2018[11]
  6. "Night Time"
    Released: 1 March 2018[12]
  7. "The Prawn Song"
    Released: 8 August 2018

Superorganism is the self-titled debut studio album by indie pop band Superorganism, released through Domino on 2 March 2018.

Background

Superorganism only officially formed during the development of this album, having never fully met or performed together previously. The core of the band is made up of all the members of an earlier band, The Eversons – Christopher Young, Mark Turner, Tim Shann and Blair Everson.[13] After a number of releases in their native New Zealand, The Eversons decided to move to London in 2015, setting up home in the shared East London house that still acts as the base for Superorganism.[6] Their music was discovered on YouTube by Japanese high school student Orono Noguchi, who was at that time studying in Maine, USA. She made contact with the band online and struck up a friendship. The band later met up with Noguchi in Japan while touring there.[6]

After a year gigging in London, the members of The Eversons began to lose interest in the style of music they had been playing. "Me and some of the guys in the band had tried in vain to record a garage rock album," recalls Harry, "and by the end of that process, we came home and we were just like, 'We don't want to play loud guitars and drums in a room any more'. So we went back to the drawing board and said, 'What can we do that'll be more fresh and fun?'".[14]

By late 2016, they had begun work on the track "Something for your M.I.N.D", using a vocal sample from "The Realm" by C’hantal as the chorus hook. On 6 January Mark Turner sent a Facebook message to Noguchi with a link to some rough demos, including "Something for your M.I.N.D.". In the message, Turner explained that the band wanted to start a new recording project named Superorganism and invited Noguchi to join as a singer.[15][4][16]

Recording and production

Noguchi decided to accept the band's invitation and immediately began work on writing lyrics and recording vocals for the verses in "Something For Your M.I.N.D.". Noguchi states that she had completed writing and recording her vocal part and sent it back to Turner within one or two hours. The vocals were recorded in Noguchi's school dorm room directly into her MacBook using GarageBand while her roommate was in the bathroom.[17][18]

Some of The Eversons' other musician friends from New Zealand - Soul, Ruby and B, were then recruited to the band to provide backing vocals.[18] Soul's real name is Earl Ho, he had previously created psychedelic music as the vocalist in the New Zealand band Sherpa. He had moved to London in 2014, hoping to promote Sherpa's music and be closer to his girlfriend who lived in Amsterdam.[19]

All of the band members except Noguchi decided to adopt pseudonyms in order to maintain some mystery about their identities.[17] Chris took on the name ‘Harry’, Blair became ‘Robert Strange’, Tim changed to ‘Toucan’ and Mark renamed himself ‘Emily’, possibly in reference to The Eversons song of the same name.[20]

After the internet release and subsequent viral success of "Something For Your M.I.N.D." at the end of January 2017, the band continued to use the same approach to create the rest of the tracks that would make up the album. Each track would be started individually by one member then shared with the rest of the band via Facebook or WhatsApp, allowing them to layer on their own ideas and contributions.[21] "We’ve got the guy making the videos downstairs, mixing in the other room, singing going on [elsewhere]," Harry explains. "We’ve created this kind of warped version of a pop production house."[22] Noguchi returned to Japan after graduating from high school and continued to submit her vocal contributions over the internet until moving to London to live with the rest of the band in July 2017.[21]

Recording and mixing for the album was completed in August 2017, after which Superorganism signed a worldwide record deal with Domino Records in September 2017.[23] The band were advised by Domino to limit the track listing to ten, meaning some completed tracks were not included on the album.[22]

Music

The album features a mix of traditional instruments (drums, guitar, bass), synthesisers, and samples. Regarding samples, Noguchi stated, "It's a good mix of everything. Sometimes we use field recordings. Sometimes we use royalty free sound effects websites. And sometimes we're looking for specific audio clips, so we look for that on YouTube".[22]

The band have referenced an eclectic range of influences on their musical style, including Mark Mothersbaugh, Pavement, Katy Perry, Weezer, Daft Punk, and Kanye West.[24][25][26]

Reception

Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
AnyDecentMusic?6.8/10[27]
Metacritic73/100[28]
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[29]
Consequence of SoundB+[30]
Exclaim!9/10[31]
The Guardian[32]
Mojo[33]
NME[34]
Pitchfork7.8/10[35]
Q[36]
Uncut8/10[37]
ViceA−[38]

The album has received a Metacritic score of 73 based on 19 reviews, indicating generally favorable reviews.[28]

Track listing

All tracks written, performed, recorded and mixed by Superorganism, except "Something for Your M.I.N.D.", written by Ralphie Dee, Anthony Mannino, Dennis Pino, and Superorganism.

No.TitleLength
1."It's All Good"3:24
2."Everybody Wants to Be Famous"3:05
3."Nobody Cares"3:49
4."Reflections on the Screen"3:52
5."SPRORGNSM"3:20
6."Something for Your M.I.N.D."2:45
7."Nai's March"2:40
8."The Prawn Song"3:16
9."Relax"2:43
10."Night Time"4:14
Total length:33:04
Japanese bonus tracks[39]
No.TitleLength
11."Something for Your M.I.N.D." (Joe Goddard Remix)7:01
12."Something for Your M.I.N.D." (el_der remix)3:12
Total length:43:24

Sample credits

  • "Something for Your M.I.N.D." incorporates lyrics and elements, and contains a sample, from "The Realm", written by Ralph d’Agostino, Dennis Pino, and Anthony Mannino, and performed by C'hantal.

Charts

Chart (2018) Peak
position
Australian Albums (ARIA)[40] 56
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)[41] 86
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia)[42] 116
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)[43] 89
Japanese Albums (Oricon)[44] 145
New Zealand Artist Albums (RMNZ)[45] 8
New Zealand Heatseeker Albums (RMNZ)[46] 4
Scottish Albums (OCC)[47] 19
UK Albums (OCC)[48] 25

References

  1. ^ Kaye, Ben (2 March 2018). "Superorganism release their self-titled debut album: Stream". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved 1 November 2019.
  2. ^ Cronin, Ruth (28 February 2018). "Interview: Fizzy global pop group Superorganism make music for the whole world". Nialler9.
  3. ^ "Superorganism go pop on their exclusive Selections playlist". Crack Magazine.
  4. ^ a b "The real story of Superorganism". The FADER.
  5. ^ Clayton-Lea, Tony; Breen, Joe; Murphy, Lauren; Nguyen, Dean Van; Bruton, Louise; Sweeney, Eamon. "The 12 best overlooked albums of 2018 (so far)". The Irish Times.
  6. ^ a b c Zemler, Emily (13 March 2018). "Superorganism: How an Internet-Addled Commune Made a Psych-Pop Gem".
  7. ^ "Superorganism - Something For Your M.I.N.D. :: Indie Shuffle". Indie Shuffle.
  8. ^ "New Music Of The Day: Superorganism – 'It's All Good' - NME". 26 April 2017.
  9. ^ "Nobody Cares - Single by Superorganism on Apple Music". 24 May 2017.
  10. ^ "Superorganism unleash bubbly new song "Everybody Wants To Be Famous": Stream". 2 January 2018.
  11. ^ "Superorganism share new single "Reflections On A Screen"".
  12. ^ "Get millions of songs. All ad-free". Apple Music.
  13. ^ Lindsay, Cam (28 March 2018). "Superorganism are as charming as their origin story".
  14. ^ [1]"Superorganism interview: 'We're a non-stop pop production house'" Retrieved 27 August 2018
  15. ^ Superorganism by Superorgaanism album liner notes
  16. ^ [2]
  17. ^ a b The real story of Superorganism Retrieved 27 August 2018
  18. ^ a b Introducing: Superorganism + their breakout single 'Something For Your M.I.N.D.' Retrieved 27 August 2018
  19. ^ [3] "https://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/news/article.cfm?c_id=1501119&objectid=11251069" Retrieved 27 August 2018
  20. ^ [4] "https://www.13thfloor.co.nz/the-eversons-the-13th-floor-interview/" Retrieved 27 August 2018
  21. ^ a b [5] "https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/superorganism-how-an-internet-addled-commune-made-a-warped-psych-pop-gem-202469/" Retrieved 27 August 2018
  22. ^ a b c [6]. Retrieved 27 August 2018
  23. ^ [7]."http://www.dominorecordco.com/uk/news/05-09-17/superorganism-sign-worldwide-deal-with-domino-release-new-single-something-for-your-mind/" Retrieved 27 August 2018
  24. ^ [8] "Superorganism interview: 'We're a non-stop pop production house'" Retrieved 27 August 2018
  25. ^ [9] "Pitchfork Superorganism review" Retrieved 27 August 2018
  26. ^ [10] "Nine songs Superorganism" " Retrieved 27 August 2018
  27. ^ "Superorganism by Superorganism reviews". AnyDecentMusic?. Retrieved 7 September 2019.
  28. ^ a b "Superorganism by Superorganism Reviews and Tracks". Metacritic. Retrieved 5 March 2018.
  29. ^ Sendra, Tim. "Superorganism – Superorganism". AllMusic. Retrieved 5 March 2018.
  30. ^ Colburn, Randall (6 March 2018). "Superorganism Makes Pop Maximalism Cool Again". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved 10 June 2018.
  31. ^ Pearson, Luke (27 February 2018). "Superorganism: Superorganism". Exclaim!. Retrieved 5 March 2018.
  32. ^ Simpson, Dave (2 March 2018). "Superorganism: Superorganism review – sharp pop-culture mashups". The Guardian. Retrieved 5 March 2018.
  33. ^ Bulley, Jenny (April 2018). "Superorganism: Superorganism". Mojo (293): 96.
  34. ^ Smith, Thomas (2 March 2018). "Superorganism – 'Superorganism' Album Review". NME. Retrieved 18 December 2019.
  35. ^ Cardew, Ben (2 March 2018). "Superorganism: Superorganism". Pitchfork. Retrieved 5 March 2018.
  36. ^ Howe, Rupert (April 2018). "Superorganism: Superorganism". Q (383): 115.
  37. ^ Anderson, Jason (April 2018). "Superorganism: Superorganism". Uncut (251): 35.
  38. ^ Christgau, Robert (6 April 2018). "Robert Christgau on Superorganism's Shot at Stardom". Vice. Retrieved 10 June 2018.
  39. ^ Superorganism | Hostess Entertainment Limited (in Japanese; retrieved 14 March 2018)
  40. ^ "ARIA Chart Watch #463". auspOp. 10 March 2018. Retrieved 10 March 2018.
  41. ^ "Ultratop.be – Superorganism – Superorganism" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 10 March 2018.
  42. ^ "Ultratop.be – Superorganism – Superorganism" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved 10 March 2018.
  43. ^ "Dutchcharts.nl – Superorganism – Superorganism" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 10 March 2018.
  44. ^ "スーパーオーガニズム". Oricon (in Japanese). Retrieved 22 March 2018.
  45. ^ "NZ Albums Chart". Recorded Music NZ. 12 March 2018. Retrieved 11 March 2018.
  46. ^ "NZ Heatseeker Albums Chart". Recorded Music NZ. 12 March 2018. Retrieved 9 March 2018.
  47. ^ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 10 March 2018.
  48. ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 10 March 2018.
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