Negative Spaces
Negative Spaces | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | November 15, 2024 | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 42:24 | |||
Label | Sumerian | |||
Producer | Jordan Fish | |||
Poppy chronology | ||||
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Singles from Negative Spaces | ||||
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Negative Spaces is the sixth studio album by American singer Poppy. It was released through Sumerian Records on November 15, 2024. The album was produced by former Bring Me the Horizon keyboardist and producer Jordan Fish.
Background
On October 27, 2023, Poppy released her fifth studio album, Zig. In several interviews, she hinted at a possible "part two" of Zig, referring to it as Zag.[1] During 2024, she was featured on the Bad Omens single "V.A.N" and the Knocked Loose single "Suffocate", which were both met with positive reactions and reviews.[2][3] In June, she released a new single titled "New Way Out".[4][5] In an interview with NME, she confirmed that her new album is "around the corner" and that it would be produced by Jordan Fish.[5] On September 17, she released the second single titled "They're All Around Us". The album and its release date, set for November 15, were announced on September 23.[6][7][8] On October 15, two songs, "The Cost of Giving Up" and "Crystallized", were released.[9]
Composition
Musically, the album has been described as alternative metal,[10] metalcore,[11] industrial,[11] pop metal,[11] arena rock,[12] electropop,[10] synth-pop,[11][13] and hyperpop,[13] with elements of grunge, emo, space rock, and tech-metal.[14]
Critical reception
Aggregate scores | |
---|---|
Source | Rating |
AnyDecentMusic? | 7.6/10[15] |
Metacritic | 84/100[16] |
Review scores | |
Source | Rating |
411Mania | 9/10[17] |
The A.V. Club | B+[18] |
Boolin Tunes | 9.5/10[19] |
Clash | 8/10[13] |
Distorted Sound | 9/10[20] |
The Guardian | [11] |
Kerrang! | [12] |
The Line of Best Fit | 8/10[21] |
Metal Hammer | [14] |
Negative Spaces received critical acclaim, with critics calling it a return to form for Poppy following the more mixed reactions of Zig. On Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the album has an average score of 84 out of 100, based on four reviews.[16] Ryan Ciocco of 411Mania wrote, "Negative Spaces sees Poppy delivering a faithful return to her metal leanings from early this decade but also...synth pop and industrial sounds as well. Her voice will either enchant you, scare you, or manage to somehow do both...while the instrumental performance is really good on this one...Poppy is the focus."[17] Nisrin Jaber of Boolin Tunes reviewed the album before its release. She revealed that it featured raw, poetic lyrics and versatile sound shifts that highlights themes of self-doubt, deferred growth, and a struggle for motivation.[19] Tom Morgan of Clash wrote, "A stylish, impactful and accessible collection, ‘Negative Spaces’ is music for our post-genre, post-everything digital age. It’s a remarkable artefact of this era of music."[13] Shania Richards of Distorted Sound wrote, "This album proves Poppy is more than a metal vocalist, nor is she a mere pop-turned-metal singer; she is gradually evolving into something far greater."[20]
Dave Simpson of The Guardian stated, "On her sixth album, the multi-genre star seems to be having an identity crisis – but...she clearly trusts her own instincts."[11] Emma Wilkes of Kerrang! felt that the album's producer, Jordan Fish, formerly of Bring Me the Horizon, has an "overwhelming influence on the album’s sound" and "crowds out Poppy’s own distinctness at times". However, they were still positive stating, "As scattered as it can be, its hit rate remains high and it’s never content to just coast."[12] Caitlin Chatterton of The Line of Best Fit called it "a sprawling [and] surprising album that proves a heavier sound looks good on her."[21] Merlin Alderslade of Metal Hammer wrote, "Poppy has decided to hone in and focus her energies on creating a full-on modern metal record, bringing in former Bring Me The Horizon man Jordan Fish on production duties," and called it "one of the catchiest, most consistent records of 2024."[14]
Track listing
All tracks are written by Poppy, Jordan Fish, and Stephen Harrison, except where noted.
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|
1. | "Have You Had Enough?" | 3:38 | |
2. | "The Cost of Giving Up" | 3:17 | |
3. | "They're All Around Us" | 3:25 | |
4. | "Yesterday" | 0:48 | |
5. | "Crystallized" | 3:06 | |
6. | "Vital" | 3:20 | |
7. | "Push Go" | 3:33 | |
8. | "Nothing" | 3:04 | |
9. | "The Center's Falling Out" | 2:25 | |
10. | "Hey There" | 1:29 | |
11. | "Negative Spaces" | 2:55 | |
12. | "Surviving on Defiance" |
| 3:28 |
13. | "New Way Out" | 3:23 | |
14. | "Tomorrow" | 0:52 | |
15. | "Halo" |
| 3:41 |
Total length: | 42:24 |
Notes
- All track titles are stylized in lowercase.
Personnel
- Poppy – vocals, layout
- Jordan Fish – production
- Zakk Cervini – mixing, mastering
- Ralph Alexander Granter – drums on all tracks except "Yesterday", "Hey There", "New Way Out", and "Tomorrow"
- Stephen Harrison – production assistance
- Julian Gargiulo – mixing assistance, engineering assistance
- Sam Cannon – photography
- Eddie Kepner – layout
Charts
Chart (2024) | Peak position |
---|---|
UK Album Downloads (OCC)[22] | 21 |
UK Rock & Metal Albums (OCC)[23] | 26 |
Release history
Region | Date | Format | Label | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
Various | November 15, 2024 | Sumerian | [24][25][26] |
References
- ^ Shutler, Ali (October 27, 2023). "Poppy: "I try not to look back because that's not where I'm going"". Dork. Archived from the original on October 31, 2023. Retrieved September 24, 2024.
- ^ "Bad Omens And Poppy Join Forces On New Single 'V.A.N'". Blabbermouth.net. January 24, 2024. Archived from the original on April 22, 2024. Retrieved September 24, 2024.
- ^ Chelosky, Danielle (April 23, 2024). "Knocked Loose & Poppy Share New Song "Suffocate": Listen". Stereogum. Archived from the original on April 23, 2024. Retrieved September 24, 2024.
- ^ "Poppy gets introspective with heavy single "New Way Out"". Alternative Press. June 4, 2024. Archived from the original on June 5, 2024. Retrieved September 24, 2024.
- ^ a b Shutler, Ali (June 4, 2024). "Poppy shares Madonna-meets-metal single 'New Way Out' and tells us how "there's plenty to be angry about"". NME. Archived from the original on June 5, 2024. Retrieved September 24, 2024.
- ^ Adams, Gregory (September 23, 2024). "Poppy announces new album 'Negative Spaces'". Revolver. Archived from the original on September 23, 2024. Retrieved September 24, 2024.
- ^ Damara Kelly, Tyler (September 23, 2024). "Poppy announces her upcoming album, Negative Space". The Line of Best Fit. Archived from the original on September 23, 2024. Retrieved September 24, 2024.
- ^ "Poppy announces new album Negative Spaces". Kerrang!. September 23, 2024. Archived from the original on September 23, 2024. Retrieved September 24, 2024.
- ^ Carter, Emily (October 15, 2024). "Poppy has just dropped two very different new singles". Kerrang!. Retrieved October 15, 2024.
- ^ a b "Poppy - Negative Spaces". Metal Storm. Retrieved November 17, 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f Simpson, Dave (November 15, 2024). "Poppy: Negative Spaces review – screams and sweetness as metalcore meets loungecore". The Guardian. Retrieved November 15, 2024.
- ^ a b c Wilkes, Emma (November 15, 2024). "Album review: Poppy – Negative Spaces". Kerrang!. Retrieved November 15, 2024.
- ^ a b c d Morgan, Tom (November 15, 2024). "Poppy – Negative Spaces". Clash. Retrieved November 15, 2024.
- ^ a b c Alderslade, Merlin (November 14, 2024). ""Negative Spaces is one of the catchiest, most consistent records of 2024." Poppy has gone and made a full-on arena metal album, and it absolutely bangs". Metal Hammer. Retrieved November 15, 2024.
- ^ "Negative Spaces by Poppy reviews". AnyDecentMusic?. Retrieved November 24, 2024.
- ^ a b "'Negative Spaces' on Metacritic". Metacritic. Retrieved November 19, 2024.
- ^ a b Ciocco, Ryan (November 18, 2024). "Poppy – Negative Spaces Review". 411Mania. Retrieved November 19, 2024.
- ^ Reed, Ryan (November 21, 2024). "Poppy gets more consistent—but no less interesting—on Negative Spaces". The A.V. Club. Retrieved November 12, 2024.
- ^ a b Jaber, Nisrin (November 11, 2024). "Album Review: Poppy – Negative Spaces". Boolin Tunes. Retrieved November 21, 2024.
- ^ a b Richards, Shania (November 17, 2024). "Album Review: Poppy – Negative Spaces". Distorted Magazine. Retrieved November 17, 2024.
- ^ a b Chatterton, Caitlin (November 18, 2024). "Poppy gets arena-ready on Negative Spaces". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved November 19, 2024.
- ^ "Official Album Downloads Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 23, 2024.
- ^ "Official Rock & Metal Albums Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 23, 2024.
- ^ "Poppy – 'Negative Spaces' CD Digipak". Sumerian Merch. Retrieved November 15, 2024.
- ^ "Negative Spaces by Poppy". Apple Music. November 15, 2024. Retrieved November 15, 2024.
- ^ "Poppy – 'Negative Spaces' Vinyl (Clear w/ Red + Blue + Black Marble)". Sumerian Merch. Retrieved November 15, 2024.