Relaxer | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Studio album by alt-J | ||||
Released | 2 June 2017 | |||
Recorded | August 2016 – January 2017 | |||
Studio | Iguana Studios, Brixton Abbey Road Studios, Westminster The Church Studios, Crouch End Strongroom Studios, Shoreditch Ely Cathedral, Ely |
|||
Genre | ||||
Length | 38:59 | |||
Label | ||||
Producer | Charlie Andrew | |||
alt-J chronology | ||||
|
||||
Singles from Relaxer | ||||
|
Professional ratings | |
---|---|
Aggregate scores | |
Source | Rating |
AnyDecentMusic? | 6.7/10 |
Metacritic | 65/100 |
Review scores | |
Source | Rating |
AllMusic | |
Consequence of Sound | C |
Clash | 8/10 |
The Daily Telegraph | |
The Guardian | |
NME | |
Pitchfork | 4.5/10 |
Q | |
Rolling Stone | |
Uncut | 6/10 |
Relaxer (stylised as RELAXER) is the third studio album by English indie rock band alt-J, released on 2 June 2017 by Infectious Music and the Canvasback Music division of Atlantic Records. It was originally scheduled to be released on 9 June 2017 but the band later decided to release it a week earlier.
The band recorded Relaxer in London with producer Charlie Andrew, who also produced alt-J's first two albums. It includes songs composed entirely during the album's recording and songs dating back to the band's formative years at the University of Leeds. Six of the album's eight tracks feature strings arranged by alt-J and performed by the London Metropolitan Orchestra. "House of the Rising Sun" is a rearrangement of the traditional folk tune with additional verses from the band. "3WW" and "Deadcrush" feature guest vocals from Ellie Rowsell of Wolf Alice and "Last Year" features guest vocals from Marika Hackman, who sang on alt-J's previous album.
alt-J promoted Relaxer with the singles "3WW", "In Cold Blood", "Adeline", and "Deadcrush", with music videos for "3WW", "In Cold Blood", and "Deadcrush". The band also enlisted Japanese artist Osamu Sato to create an online game inspired by his own game LSD as part of the promotion for Relaxer. The album's artwork features a screenshot of Sato's game. A world tour will begin on 10 June 2017 with performances at festivals including Glastonbury and Boardmasters.