| Blowout | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | June 30, 2023 | |||
| Studio | 64 Sound (Los Angeles, California) | |||
| Length | 56:36 | |||
| Label | Stones Throw | |||
| Producer | John Carroll Kirby | |||
| John Carroll Kirby chronology | ||||
| ||||
Blowout is the eighth solo album by American keyboardist and record producer John Carroll Kirby, released on June 30, 2023, through Stones Throw Records. It was preceded by the lead single "Oropendola" and inspired by Kirby's time in Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica, where he began writing the album. [1]
Kirby began writing the album after making a trip to Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica for his travelogue series Kirby's Gold, naming the lead single "Oropendola" after the oropendola bird. He then finished recording the album at 64 Sound in Los Angeles "with a stripped-down band". [1]
| Aggregate scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Metacritic | 84/100 [2] |
| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [3] |
| Clash | 8/10 [4] |
| Pitchfork | 7.1/10 [5] |
Blowout received a score of 84 out of 100 on review aggregator Metacritic based on four critics' reviews, indicating "universal acclaim". [2] Thom Jurek of AllMusic described Blowout as "easily the most exotic-sounding album in Kirby's catalog" along with "Kirby's most adventurous record as well as his most accessible, thanks to hip arrangements, imaginative compositions, and focused, expert musicianship". [3] Nick Roseblade of Clash called it "perhaps [Kirby's] best album yet" as "he just unloads melody, after melody, after melody". Roseblade remarked that Blowout "isn't a calypso album, but it also is calypso. If calypso had subtle electronic glitches, beats and blips as well as flutes and steel drums", and "what Blowout does really well is transport you to a version of Costa Rica that doesn't really exist [...] What more do you want from John Carroll Kirby?" [4] Uncut described the album as "entirely irresistible" and Mojo called it "a left-field jazz date transversing elation and sadness". [2] Brady Brickner-Wood of Pitchfork concluded that the album "signals a compositional maturation: He's tightening his skills and daring to experiment while also making more accessible, pleasure-packed pieces", finding it to be "sprinkled with moments that jolt you to attention as surely as they soothe". [5]
All tracks are written by John Carroll Kirby.
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Oropendola" | 4:15 |
| 2. | "Mates" | 4:57 |
| 3. | "The Takedown" | 3:34 |
| 4. | "Hotel Jonny Chingas" | 5:41 |
| 5. | "Vertigo" | 3:51 |
| 6. | "So So So" | 4:32 |
| 7. | "Sun Go Down" | 3:12 |
| 8. | "Gecko Sound" | 7:17 |
| 9. | "Flying Cat" | 4:43 |
| 10. | "Mates" (dub) | 4:58 |
| 11. | "So So So" (dub) | 4:33 |
| 12. | "Hotel Jonny Chingas" (dub) | 5:03 |
| Total length: | 56:36 | |
Lookaftering is the second studio album by Vashti Bunyan. It was released via FatCat Records on October 17, 2005. It is the follow-up to 1970's Just Another Diamond Day.
Saint Dymphna is the self-produced fourth studio album by American experimental music band Gang Gang Dance. Released in 2008 by The Social Registry, it would be the final album for the label, before moving on to 4AD for 2011's lauded Eye Contact. It received positive reviews from critics.
Eye Contact is the fifth studio album by American experimental music band Gang Gang Dance, released on May 10, 2011. It is the collective's first album to be released under the 4AD banner.
The Narrow Garden is a live album by violinist/multi-instrumentalist Eyvind Kang which was released in 2012 on Ipecac Recordings.
Algiers is the debut album by American experimental band Algiers. The album was released through Matador Records on June 2, 2015.
The Epic is the third studio album by American jazz saxophonist Kamasi Washington and his first on a major-label. It was released on May 5, 2015, by the Brainfeeder record label.
Harmony of Difference is a studio EP by American jazz saxophonist and bandleader Kamasi Washington. It was released on September 29, 2017, through the Young Turks record label.
The Unseen in Between is the fourth studio album by American singer-songwriter Steve Gunn. It was released on January 18, 2019 through Matador Records.
Juice is a studio album recorded by American jazz guitarist John Scofield together with trio Medeski Martin & Wood. Percussionist Pedrito Martinez was invited as a special guest to play congas and guiro. The album was released on September 15, 2014 by Indirecto label.
For My Crimes is the eighth studio album by American musician Marissa Nadler. It was released on September 28, 2018 under Bella Union in the UK, and Sacred Bones Records in the US.
Power is the debut studio album by American electronic musician Lotic. It was released on July 13, 2018, by Tri Angle.
W is the twenty-seventh studio album by Japanese experimental band Boris, released 21 January 2022 on the Sacred Bones label.
Ice Melt is a studio album by Crumb, released on April 30, 2021.
"Too Many Nights" is a song by American record producer Metro Boomin and American rapper Future featuring fellow American rapper Don Toliver, from Metro's second studio album Heroes & Villains (2022). It was written by the artists alongside Honorable C.N.O.T.E. and Allen Ritter, who produced it with Metro.
In These Times is the sixth studio album by American musician Makaya McCraven. It was released on September 23, 2022, by International Anthem Recording Company, Nonesuch Records and XL Recordings. The release features collaborations with Jeff Parker, Brandee Younger, Macie Stewart, Junius Paul, Marta Sofia Honer and Lia Kohl.
"Raindrops (Insane)" is a song by American record producer Metro Boomin and American rapper Travis Scott from the former's second studio album Heroes & Villains (2022). It was produced by Metro, Honorable C.N.O.T.E., Allen Ritter, David x Eli and Scriptplugg.
Bless This Mess is the eighth studio album by Toronto-based musician and producer Meghan Remy, under her solo project U.S. Girls. It was released on February 24, 2023, through 4AD. The album features collaborations with Michael Rault, Marker Starling and Alanna Stuart. It received generally positive reviews from critics.
My Garden is the fifth solo studio album by American keyboardist and record producer John Carroll Kirby. It was released on April 24, 2020, via Stones Throw Records, making it the artist's second album for the label, following up Conflict, which was dropped twenty-two days before. Recording sessions took place at Roundhead Studios in Auckland, and at Gaerloch and Gaerloch Studios in Sydney. It features contributions from New Zealand musician Neil Finn and Manila-born Los Angeles-based bassist J. P. Maramba.
Septet is the sixth solo studio album by American keyboardist and record producer John Carroll Kirby. It was released on June 25, 2021, via Stones Throw Records, making it the artist's third album for the label. Recording sessions took place at 64 Sound in Highland Park, Los Angeles. Production was handled by Kirby himself, with additional production from Tony Buchen, who also provided mixing duties on the album. It features contributions from J. P. Maramba on bass, Deantoni Parks on drums, David Leach on percussion, Logan Hone and Tracy Wannomae on woodwind, and Nick Mancini on mallets.
In the End It Always Does is the second studio album by English indie pop musician Amber Bain, under the name the Japanese House. It was released on 30 June 2023 through Dirty Hit.