Blank Project

Last updated
Blank Project
Neneh Cherry - Blank Project.jpg
Studio album by
Neneh Cherry
Released25 February 2014
RecordedDecember 2013
Genre Electronic, trip hop, [1] experimental
Length48:52
Label Smalltown Supersound
Producer Four Tet
Neneh Cherry chronology
Man
(1996)		Blank Project
(2014)		 Broken Politics
(2018)
Singles from Blank Project
  1. "Everything"
    Released: 24 January 2014
  2. "Out of the Black"
    Released: February 2014
  3. "Spit Three Times"
    Released: 26 October 2014

Blank Project is the fourth studio album by Neneh Cherry, released by Smalltown Supersound on 25 February 2014. [2] The record is Cherry's first album of solo music in 18 years. [3] [4] It was recorded and mixed over a 5-day period in Woodstock, NY. [5] It was produced by Four Tet's Kieran Hebden and features a guest appearance by Robyn. [6] The record also includes work with prior collaborators, synth/drum duo RocketNumberNine. [3] Critical reviews of the album were very positive.

Contents

Description

Cherry wrote the material as a way to mourn for her mother, who died in 2009. [7] The record is a departure from her previous work, consisting of a more sparse sound, with loose drums and a few synthesizers as the only accompaniment to her voice. [8] RocketNumberNine provides industrial beats. [9]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
AnyDecentMusic?8.0/10 [10]
Metacritic 82/100 [11]
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svg [12]
The A.V. Club A− [1]
The Daily Telegraph Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [13]
The Guardian Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [14]
The Independent Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svg [15]
NME 8/10 [16]
Pitchfork 7.7/10 [17]
Q Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [18]
Rolling Stone Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svg [19]
Spin 8/10 [20]

Blank Project received widespread critical acclaim upon its release. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the album has received an average score of 82, based on 36 reviews, indicating "universal acclaim". [11] NPR calls the work "stark and urgent, almost entirely percussive. Her lyrics are less rebel treatises than koans or ruminations." [3] Spin says it is "a stark, bracing, and emotionally vulnerable album that straddles the jazz, pop, and electronic worlds rather brilliantly." [7] The Guardian calls it "a bold and adventurous album". [21]

The Arts Desk describes the record: "High on rhythms and percussion and low on conventional melodies, it certainly isn’t easy listening but is frequently bold and challenging, with harsh electronica providing the only accompaniment to Neneh’s warm vocals." [9] The Skinny calls Blank Project a "triumph." [22]

Electronic Beats says: "Blank Project is an upturned bag on a table, pouring out its contents for anyone to sort through: chewed up emotions, snotty little insecurities and the kind of anxiety that’ll etch red marks into the skin if you carry it around too long." [23]

In Vice , Robert Christgau gave the album a one-star honorable mention, naming "Out of the Black" and "Spit Three Times" as highlights, while writing, "long-ago hipster-funk ingénue reclaims her avant-garde roots". [24]

Track listing

All lyrics are written by Neneh Cherry, Cameron McVey and Paul Simm [25]

Blank Project track listing
No.TitleLength
1."Across the Water"3:28
2."Blank Project"4:05
3."Naked"3:57
4."Spit Three Times"4:18
5."Weightless"5:46
6."Cynical"4:10
7."422"5:21
8."Out of the Black" (featuring Robyn)5:15
9."Dossier"5:12
10."Everything"7:20
Total length:48:52

Bonus tracks

Bonus CD

The Blank Project - Bonus Remix Disc (available via Rough Trade Records and Piccadilly Records [26]

  1. "Everything" (Radio Edit)
  2. "Out of the Black" (featuring Robyn) (Joe Goddard Extended Version)
  3. "Everything" (Villalobos & Loderbauer: Vilod Low Blood Pressure Mix)
  4. "Out of the Black" (featuring Robyn) (Bouvet Remix)

Personnel

Charts

Chart performance for Blank Project
Chart (2014)Peak
position
Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria) [27] 38
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders) [28] 44
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia) [29] 65
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100) [30] 71
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100) [31] 39
Scottish Albums (OCC) [32] 70
Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan) [33] 40
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade) [34] 28
UK Albums (OCC) [35] 41
UK Independent Albums (OCC) [36] 6

Related Research Articles

<i>Obsession</i> (UFO album) 1978 studio album by UFO

Obsession is the seventh studio album by English rock band UFO, released in 1978. This was the final studio album to feature Michael Schenker on lead guitar until he returned to the band in 1993. A single from the album, "Only You Can Rock Me" / "Cherry", was also released in 1978. So too was the band's first three-track EP "Only You Can Rock Me", "Cherry" / "Rock Bottom", reaching No. 50 in the UK. The album was recorded at an abandoned post office in Los Angeles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Neneh Cherry</span> Swedish singer and songwriter (born 1964)

Neneh Mariann Karlsson ; born 10 March 1964), better known as Neneh Cherry, is a Swedish singer, songwriter, rapper, occasional disc jockey, and broadcaster. Her musical career started in London in the early 1980s, where she performed in a number of punk and post-punk bands in her youth, including the Slits and Rip Rig + Panic.

<i>Raw Like Sushi</i> 1989 studio album by Neneh Cherry

Raw Like Sushi is the debut studio album by Swedish musician Neneh Cherry, released 5 June 1989 by Virgin Records. The album includes the commercially successful single "Buffalo Stance".

Smalltown Supersound is an independent record label, founded in Flekkefjord in 1993 and now based in Oslo, Norway. It is dedicated to new forms of jazz, rock and electronic music.

<i>The Blueprint 2: The Gift & The Curse</i> 2002 studio album by Jay-Z

The Blueprint 2: The Gift & the Curse is the seventh studio album by American rapper Jay-Z. It was released on November 12, 2002 by Roc-A-Fella Records and Island Def Jam Music Group as a double album. It serves as a direct sequel to his previous album, The Blueprint (2001). It was supported by two singles that peaked within the top ten of the Billboard Hot 100: "'03 Bonnie and Clyde" and "Excuse Me Miss".

<i>Rounds</i> (album) 2003 studio album by Four Tet

Rounds is the third solo album by British electronic musician Kieran Hebden, released under his alias Four Tet on 5 May 2003 by Domino Recording Company. Wanting to make a more personal record, Hebden recorded and produced the album in his North London flat over ten months using a desktop computer and a home hi-fi system. Its ten tracks feature elements of hip hop, jazz and folk; apart from a guitar part recorded for "Slow Jam", the music is composed from between 200 and 300 samples, many processed beyond recognition.

<i>Everything Ecstatic</i> 2005 studio album by Four Tet

Everything Ecstatic is the fourth album by Four Tet, released on 23 May 2005.

<i>Listen</i> (A Flock of Seagulls album) 1983 studio album by A Flock of Seagulls

Listen is the second studio album by English new wave band A Flock of Seagulls, released on 29 April 1983 by Jive Records. It once again teamed the group with record producer Mike Howlett—who produced their self-titled debut album—except on "(It's Not Me) Talking", which was produced by Bill Nelson. The album includes the UK top-10 single "Wishing ". Other singles released from the album include "Nightmares" and "Transfer Affection". The face on the cover is that of the band's drummer, Ali Score.

<i>Nearly God</i> 1996 studio album by Nearly God

Nearly God is the unofficial second album by English rapper and producer Tricky. It was released in February 1996 under the pseudonym "Nearly God", which originated from an interview during which Tricky was asked "so how does it feel to be God... well, nearly God."

<i>Man</i> (Neneh Cherry album) 1996 studio album by Neneh Cherry

Man is the third solo studio album by Swedish singer Neneh Cherry, released on 2 September 1996 by Hut Records and Virgin Records. Three singles were issued from the album. Preceding the album release, a duet with Youssou N'Dour called "7 Seconds" was released as a single to promote Senegalese singer studio set The Guide. Almost two years later, the common track was added also to the Cherry's album.

<i>Robyn</i> (album) 2005 studio album by Robyn

Robyn is the fourth studio album by Swedish singer Robyn. It was originally released in 2005 in Sweden and Norway only by Konichiwa Records. It was later released in other territories throughout 2007 and 2008. The album represented a departure from Robyn's previous urban and R&B musical style, and explored synth-pop and dance-pop music, with inspirations from electronic duo The Knife and rock band Teddybears. It also marks Robyn's first album release on her own record label, Konichiwa Records, which she founded in 2005.

<i>Homebrew</i> (Neneh Cherry album) 1992 studio album by Neneh Cherry

Homebrew is the second studio album by Swedish musician Neneh Cherry. It was released in October 1992 via Circa Records. The album features several different genres, including hip hop, R&B, dance, and pop. The album photography was by Jean-Baptiste Mondino. Recording sessions took place at Cherry Bear Studios in London and at the Cherry Bear Mobile, except "Sassy" was additionally recorded at Grapehouse Studios in Copenhagen and "Trout" was additionally recorded at Power Play Studios in New York. Gang Starr co-wrote and produced "Sassy" and "I Ain't Gone Under Yet". Geoff Barrow wrote and produced "Somedays".

This is a comprehensive listing of releases, collaborations, remixes and productions documenting the solo work of the British electronic musician Kieran Hebden. Alongside his role as a member of Fridge, Hebden performs as a solo artist under the moniker Four Tet, and has performed as part of the duo Kieran Hebden and Steve Reid.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Robyn discography</span>

Swedish singer Robyn has released eight studio albums, one compilation album, six extended plays, 50 singles, nine promotional singles, and 45 music videos.

<i>There Is Love in You</i> 2010 studio album by Four Tet

There Is Love in You is the fifth studio album by English electronic musician Four Tet, released on 25 January 2010 by Domino Recording Company. The lead single from the album, "Love Cry", was released as a limited edition 12" on 2 November 2009.

<i>Body Talk Pt. 1</i> 2010 studio album by Robyn

Body Talk Pt. 1 is the fifth studio album by Swedish singer Robyn, released on 11 June 2010 by Konichiwa Records. It is the first part of the Body Talk series, which consists of three mini-albums. The only single from the album, "Dancing On My Own", was released on 1 June. Robyn promoted the album with the All Hearts Tour she co-headlined with Kelis. Body Talk Pt. 1 reached number one in Sweden and number four in Denmark and Norway. In the United States, it peaked at number three on Billboard's Dance/Electronic Albums chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Neneh Cherry discography</span>

The following is a comprehensive list of music records released by Swedish singer Neneh Cherry.

<i>Return of the Giant Slits</i> 1981 studio album by the Slits

Return of the Giant Slits is the second studio album by English punk band the Slits, released in 1981 by CBS Records on LP and cassette. In comparison with its widely acclaimed predecessor, Cut, released in 1979, it showcases a rhythmic, more experimental sound, inspired by afro-pop. The Slits would disband for the first time months after its release in early 1982.

<i>The Cherry Thing</i> 2012 studio album by Neneh Cherry and The Thing

The Cherry Thing is an album by vocalist Neneh Cherry and jazz trio The Thing, consisting of saxophonist Mats Gustafsson, bassist Ingebrigt Håker Flaten and drummer Paal Nilssen-Love. It was recorded in 2011 and released the following year by Smalltown Supersound.

<i>Broken Politics</i> 2018 studio album by Neneh Cherry

Broken Politics is the fifth solo album by singer Neneh Cherry, and her second to be produced by Four Tet. The album was released on 19 October 2018, and has been called "quieter and more reflective" than its predecessor Blank Project. The lead single, "Kong", was released two months earlier, and "Shot Gun Shack" was released as the second single.

References

  1. 1 2 Bowman, Patrick (25 February 2014). "Neneh Cherry crafts trip-hop in her own image on Blank Project". The A.V. Club . Retrieved 26 February 2014.
  2. ↑ Anderson, Kurt (7 February 2014). "Live In-Studio: Neneh Cherry's Soul Punk Project (Interview + Performance)". Studio 360 . Archived from the original (audio interview) on 9 February 2014. Retrieved 26 February 2014.
  3. 1 2 3 Macia, Peter (February 17, 2014). "First Listen: Neneh Cherry, 'Blank Project'" (article and audio stream). NPR . Retrieved 25 February 2014.
  4. ↑ Chinen, Nate (21 February 2014). "The Sounds of Things Ending, Continuing and Reshaping". The New York Times . Retrieved 25 February 2014.
  5. ↑ Young, Martyn (18 February 2014). "Neneh Cherry – Blank Project". MusicOMH . Retrieved 26 February 2014.
  6. ↑ Battan, Carrie (18 November 2013). "Listen: Neneh Cherry Shares Title Track From Four Tet-Produced Album Blank Project". Pitchfork . Retrieved 29 January 2014.
  7. 1 2 Gehr, Richard (24 February 2014). "Neneh Cherry Talks Her Weird Punk-Pop-Jazz Trajectory, and the New 'Blank Project'". SPIN . Spin Music, a division of SpinMedia. Retrieved 25 February 2014.
  8. ↑ "Neneh Cherry shares details of new album Blank Project out 24th February 2014/25th February in the US on Smalltown Supersound". SoundCloud . Retrieved 29 January 2014.
  9. 1 2 Oddy, Guy (23 February 2014). "CD: Neneh Cherry - Blank Project". The Arts Desk . Retrieved 26 February 2014.
  10. ↑ "Blank Project by Neneh Cherry reviews". AnyDecentMusic?. Retrieved 19 December 2019.
  11. 1 2 "Reviews for Blank Project by Neneh Cherry". Metacritic . CBS Interactive . Retrieved 24 February 2014.
  12. ↑ Kellman, Andy. "Blank Project – Neneh Cherry". AllMusic . Retrieved 24 February 2014.
  13. ↑ Brown, Helen (24 February 2014). "Neneh Cherry, Blank Project, review". The Daily Telegraph . Retrieved 25 February 2014.
  14. ↑ Petridis, Alexis (20 February 2014). "Neneh Cherry: Blank Project – review". The Guardian . Retrieved 25 February 2014.
  15. ↑ Harley, Kevin; Williams, Holly; Richman, Simmy; Coleman, Nick; Johnson, Phil (23 February 2014). "Album reviews: Beck, St Vincent, Neneh Cherry, Ags Connolly, John Harle & Marc Almond". The Independent . Retrieved 31 October 2018.
  16. ↑ Batey, Angus (24 February 2014). "Neneh Cherry – 'Blank Project'". NME . Archived from the original on 27 February 2014. Retrieved 25 February 2014.
  17. ↑ Raymer, Miles (24 February 2014). "Neneh Cherry: Blank Project". Pitchfork . Retrieved 25 February 2014.
  18. ↑ "Neneh Cherry: Blank Project". Q (332): 110. March 2014.
  19. ↑ Hermes, Will (25 February 2014). "Blank Project". Rolling Stone . Retrieved 26 February 2014.
  20. ↑ Sherburne, Philip (25 February 2014). "Neneh Cherry's 'Blank Project' Is an Ocean of Intimate, Nonchalantly Electrifying Funk". Spin . Retrieved 31 October 2018.
  21. ↑ Mossman, Kate (22 February 2014). "Neneh Cherry, interview: 'People ask me where I've been for 18 years'". The Guardian . Retrieved 25 February 2014.
  22. ↑ Gieben, Bram E. (11 February 2014). "Neneh Cherry – Blank Project (5 Stars)". The Skinny . Radge Media Limited. Retrieved 26 February 2014.
  23. ↑ Saxelby, Ruth (20 February 2014). "Sweet and Sour: Ruth Saxelby on Neneh Cherry's Blank Project". Electronic Beats . Retrieved 26 February 2014.
  24. ↑ Christgau, Robert (November 4, 2016). "Reinvention, Response, and "Redemption Song": Expert Witness with Robert Christgau". Vice . Retrieved November 6, 2016.
  25. ↑ Bui, Paul (24 February 2014). "life is just a bowl of neneh cherry's". i-D Magazine . Archived from the original on 2014-04-28. Retrieved 26 February 2014.
  26. ↑ "Neneh Cherry Blank Project - Bonus Disc Edition: Track Listing". Piccadilly Records. Retrieved 25 February 2014.
  27. ↑ "Austriancharts.at – Neneh Cherry – Blank Project" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved 12 March 2014.
  28. ↑ "Ultratop.be – Neneh Cherry – Blank Project" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 12 March 2014.
  29. ↑ "Ultratop.be – Neneh Cherry – Blank Project" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved 12 March 2014.
  30. ↑ "Dutchcharts.nl – Neneh Cherry – Blank Project" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 12 March 2014.
  31. ↑ "Offiziellecharts.de – Neneh Cherry – Blank Project" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  32. ↑ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  33. ↑ "Swedishcharts.com – Neneh Cherry – Blank Project". Hung Medien. Retrieved 12 March 2014.
  34. ↑ "Swisscharts.com – Neneh Cherry – Blank Project". Hung Medien. Retrieved 12 March 2014.
  35. ↑ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  36. ↑ "Official Independent Albums Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 12 March 2014.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.