New Last Name
| New Last Name | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 26 January 2024 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 40:40 | |||
| Label | PIAS | |||
| Producer | Sean Murphy O'Neill | |||
| Courting chronology | ||||
| ||||
New Last Name is the second studio album by British band Courting, released on 26 January 2024 through Lower Third and PIAS Recordings. The album was primarily produced by frontman Sean Murphy O'Neill and producer Robert Whiteley, with two tracks co-produced by Cribs members, twin brothers Gary and Ryan Jarman. It received positive reviews from critics.
Critical reception
[edit]| Aggregate scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Metacritic | 71/100[1] |
| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| Far Out |   [2] |
| The Line of Best Fit | 8/10[3] |
| NME | [4] |
| Paste | 7.6/10[5] |
| The Skinny | 7.6/10[6] |
New Last Name received a score of 71 out of 100 on review aggregator Metacritic based on four critics' reviews, indicating "generally favorable" reception.[1] Kyle Kohner of The Line of Best Fit described the album as "a collection of their most infectious pop songs dusted with their inevitable experimental flair" as well as "an irresistible mess made with exploratory abandon and the demeanour to show off and articulate a thing or two about expectations and pandering".[3] The Skinny's Vicky Greer wrote that the album "forgoes the eccentricities of Guitar Music in favor of music that more closely matches their lofty ambitions—out with sarcastic talk-singing, and in with sugar-sweet choruses".[6]
NME's Sophie Williams found that "the album's overall vibrancy doesn't dim on repeated listens. What's clear is that the playful, 'for the plot' vibe of a band that started on a lark is beginning to transform into something close to remarkable".[4] Andy Steiner of Paste stated that "Courting condenses themselves on New Last Name into smaller, more straightforward indie rock. But the moments when they escape those confines exude with personality and color."[5]
Ben Forrest, writing for Far Out panned the album, calling it "a derivative mess of indie landfill".[2] Forrest said that "in an effort to diversify their sound, certain tracks hint at disco, but these often feel underwhelming and somewhat forced. Furthermore, the almost impressive lack of subtlety in O'Neill's lyricism means you don't have to think too hard about what the songs might mean, it's all presented fairly obviously and without much depth".[2]
Track listing
[edit]All tracks are written by Courting. Additional writing on "We Look Good Together (Big Words)" by DJ Sabrina the Teenage DJ.
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Throw" | 4:22 |
| 2. | "We Look Good Together (Big Words)" | 3:11 |
| 3. | "The Hills" | 4:55 |
| 4. | "Flex" | 4:23 |
| 5. | "Emily G" | 5:47 |
| 6. | "Babys" | 3:00 |
| 7. | "The Wedding" | 3:49 |
| 8. | "Happy Endings" | 4:45 |
| 9. | "America" | 6:28 |
| Total length: | 40:40 | |
Personnel
[edit]Courting
- Sean Murphy-O'Neill – vocals, programming, production, creative direction
- Josh Cope – guitars
- Sean Thomas – drums
- Connor McCann – bass guitar
Additional contributors
- Robert Whiteley – co-production, mixing
- Mike Hillier – mastering, engineering
- Gary Jarman – additional production on "Throw" and "The Wedding"
- Ryan Jarman – additional production on "Throw" and "The Wedding"
- Sebastian Westwood – additional engineering on "Flex"
- Kyler Garrison – cover
Charts
[edit]| Chart (2024) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Scottish Albums (OCC)[7] | 37 |
| UK Independent Albums (OCC)[8] | 9 |
References
[edit]- ^ a b "New Last Name by Courting Reviews and Tracks". Metacritic. Retrieved 30 January 2024.
- ^ a b c Forrest, Ben (25 January 2024). "Courting – 'New Last Name' album review: a derivative mess of indie landfill". Far Out Magazine. Retrieved 31 January 2024.
- ^ a b Kohner, Kyle (25 January 2024). "Courting: New Last Name Review – delving absurdity". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved 30 January 2024.
- ^ a b Williams, Sophie (24 January 2024). "Courting – New Last Name review: taking rock to new extremes". NME. Retrieved 30 January 2024.
- ^ a b Steiner, Andy (29 January 2024). "Courting Channels Y2K Populism and Sugar-Sweet Indie Choruses on New Last Name". Paste. Retrieved 30 January 2024.
- ^ a b Greer, Vicky (23 January 2024). "Courting album review: New Last Name – The Skinny". The Skinny. Retrieved 30 January 2024.
- ^ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 6 April 2024.
- ^ "Official Independent Albums Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 6 April 2024.