Crush Songs

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Crush Songs
Karen O - Crush Songs.png
Studio album by
Karen O
ReleasedSeptember 5, 2014 (2014-09-05)
Recorded2006–2007
Genre
Length25:25
Label Cult
Producer Karen O
Karen O chronology
Where the Wild Things Are
(2009)		Crush Songs
(2014)		Live from Crush Palace
(2015)
Singles from Crush Songs
  1. "Rapt"
    Released: July 28, 2014

Crush Songs is the debut solo studio album by American musician Karen O, released on September 5, 2014, by Cult Records. Karen O, best known as the lead singer of the indie rock band Yeah Yeah Yeahs, began writing and recording personal songs in 2006. Although she released solo work for film soundtracks in the years that followed, this material remained dormant until the band's hiatus, when she developed the songs into a full album. Musically, Crush Songs is a lo-fi album featuring acoustic instrumentation and lyrics about her experiences with love and its uncertainty.

Contents

For promotion, "Rapt" was released as a single and Karen O embarked on a mini tour. Upon release, Crush Songs charted in six territories, debuting at number 44 on the US Billboard 200 and number 61 on the UK Albums Chart. The album received generally favorable reviews from music critics, who praised Karen O's emotive vocals, vulnerability and stylistic shift, but felt it sounded incomplete.

Background

Karen O rose to prominence in the 2000s as a member of Yeah Yeah Yeahs, becoming a key figure in the garage rock and post-punk revivals of the decade. [1] [2] During production of their second album, Show Your Bones (2006), she began writing and recording personal songs as a side project in her New York apartment from 2006 to 2007. [3] By the end of the decade, this material went untouched as Karen O continued to make music with the band and contribute to film soundtracks. [4]

After Yeah Yeah Yeahs achieved their highest charting album in the United States with Mosquito (2013), the band went on a hiatus afterwards, citing a creative block and lack of inspiration. [5] During the break, Karen O unearthed her solo material and developed it into Crush Songs. [6] The songs were preserved in the state they were recorded; Karen O produced the album herself, and Nick Launay and Bernie Grundman handled mixing and mastering respectively. [7] She had previously collaborated with Launay for the third Yeah Yeah Yeahs extended play, Is Is (2007). [8]

The album's artwork was designed by Julian Gross, a member of Liars, and Yong Kok Kim, and depicts Karen O kissing someone at different ages. [7] She also contributed original sketches, drawings and handwritten lyrics exclusively for the vinyl release. [9]

Composition

Crush Songs is an independent lo-fi album characterized by acoustic guitars and hushed vocals; [10] it has no percussion, with the exception of "Body", where Karen O created a drum track using her mouth sounds. [11] [12] It primarily blends the alternative and indie rock genres. [13] A journalist for KLCC has compared its music to artists like Kimya Dawson and Magnetic Fields, [14] while Al Horner from NME likened it to the Microphones. [15] Its minimal production resulted in what Will Hermes observes as an "intimate" and purposely "unpolished" sound. [16] The New York Times's Melena Ryzik labeled it "very nearly a concept album". [17]

Each of the songs on Crush Songs are under three minutes and "generally about six, seven sentences" each, with "NYC Baby" being its shortest track at fifty-six seconds and "Beast" its longest at two minutes and fifty-seven seconds. [13] It explores themes of romance and its uncertainty, reflected in Karen O's autographical lyrics. [18] [19] In a statement on her website, she said:

When I was 27 I crushed a lot. I wasn't sure I'd ever fall in love again. These songs were written + recorded in private around this time. They are the soundtrack to what was an ever continuing love crusade. I hope they keep you company on yours.

— Karen O [6]

Karen O was also influenced by the Doors and Michael Jackson, covering "Indian Summer" by the former and writing "King" as a homage to the latter. [20] Lyrics from "Comes the Night" are engraved on the wedding bands of her and Barnaby Clay, her husband. [17] She wrote and sang "Singalong", the album's closing track, with Dean Fertita and Jack Lawrence of the Raconteurs. [7]

Release

Karen O performing on the Crush Songs mini tour in 2014 Karen O at Bush Hall.jpg
Karen O performing on the Crush Songs mini tour in 2014

To distribute Crush Songs, [4] Karen O signed with Cult Records, an independent label founded by the Strokes frontman Julian Casablancas, The pair were mutual fans of each other in the 2000s rock scene, [18] and she credited Casablancas for giving her the courage to release the project. [21] The album was announced on June 25, 2014, [9] and promoted with a series of listening parties and a mini tour that ran from August to October 2014; [22] [23] she also created Instagram and Twitter accounts, realizing that "I just have no concept, outside the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, of me as an entity." [17]

"Rapt" was released as a single on July 28, 2014 and accompanied by a music video directed by Barnaby Clay, Karen O's husband. [24] Crush Songs was released on September 5, 2014 in a limited vinyl edition with her handwritten notes and sketches. [25] [26] This was followed by CD and streaming releases that same week. [27]

On February 10, 2015, Karen O released the live album Live From Crush Palace, which contains recordings from three shows she performed at Hollywood Forever Cemetery. [28] It features live renditions from Crush Songs, "Hideaway" from Where the Wild Things Are (2009) and "The Moon Song" from Her . [29]

Reception

Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic 65/100 [30]
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svg [13]
The A.V. Club C+ [31]
Clash 6/10 [32]
DIY Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [12]
Entertainment Weekly B [33]
The Guardian Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [34]
NME 7/10 [35]
Pitchfork 5.8/10 [11]
Rolling Stone Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svg [36]

Crush Songs received generally favorable reviews from music critics. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream publications, the album received an average score of 65, based on 31 reviews. [30] AllMusic's Heather Phares called the album a "slightly strange choice" for a debut but concluded that "this unassuming musical diary showcases many of the best things about the music she makes on her own." [13] Emma Swann from DIY magazine rated the album four stars, dubbing it "charming" and "dreamy". [12]

Writers at Clash greatly praised Crush Songs's "simple, forlorn fretwork and O’s deliciously otherworldly vocals" but felt, despite "an enchanting first-time listen", that the songs were underwhelming and unrealized. [32] Kyle Anderson of Entertainment Weekly similarly praised Karen O's musical talent but found it "a little jarring how small her first solo album sounds. The lo-fi bedroom lullabies on Crush Songs do have a pretty simplicity, but it's ultimately a sleepy listen with a lot of half-formed song sketches". [33] Pitchfork 's Stephen Deusner also believed the album was "too modest" and echoed that it sounded unfinished. [11] These sentiments were further echoed by publications like The A.V. Club , [31] The Guardian , [34] and Rolling Stone . [36] Mark Beaumont of NME summarized the album: "At times throwaway, at others raw, intimate and charming, there’s plenty here you’ll want to get your mate to ask out for you." [35]

Upon release, Crush Songs charted in six territories. It debuted at number 44 on the US Billboard 200, number ten on the Independent Albums chart, number eight on the Top Alternative Albums chart and number fourteen on the Top Rock Albums chart. [37] In the United Kingdom, it debuted at number 61 on the UK Albums Chart and on the UK Independent Albums Chart at number eleven, with first-week sales of 1,336 copies. [38] [39] In Scotland, it debuted also at number 61 on the Scottish Albums Chart. [39]

Track listing

All tracks written by Karen O, except "Indian Summer", written by Jim Morrison and Robby Krieger, and "Singalong", written by Karen O, Jack Lawrence and Dean Fertita.

Crush Songs track listing
No.TitleLength
1."Ooo"1:28
2."Rapt"1:47
3."Visits"1:33
4."Beast"2:57
5."Comes the Night"1:06
6."NYC Baby"0:56
7."Other Side"1:11
8."So Far"1:33
9."Day Go By"2:16
10."Body"2:27
11."King"1:23
12."Indian Summer"1:03
13."Sunset Sun"1:12
14."Native Korean Rock"2:27
15."Singalong"2:06
Total length:25:25

Personnel

Credits adapted from the liner notes of Crush Songs. [7]

Charts

Chart performance for Crush Songs
Chart (2014)Peak
position
Australian Hitseekers Albums (ARIA) [40] 6
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders) [41] 81
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia) [42] 184
Irish Albums (IRMA) [43] 72
Irish Independent Albums (IRMA) [44] 11
Scottish Albums (OCC) [39] 61
UK Albums (OCC) [39] 61
UK Independent Albums (OCC) [39] 11
US Billboard 200 [45] 44
US Independent Albums ( Billboard ) [46] 10
US Top Alternative Albums ( Billboard ) [47] 8
US Top Rock Albums ( Billboard ) [48] 14

References

  1. ↑ Blackman, S. J. (2004). Chilling Out: The Cultural Politics of Substance Consumption, Youth and Drug Policy. McGraw-Hill International. p. 90. ISBN   978-0-335-20072-6.
  2. ↑ B. Greenfield, and R. Reid, New York City (London: Lonely Planet, 4th edn., 2004), ISBN   1-74104-889-3, p. 33.
  3. ↑ "Karen O – Crush Songs: album stream". The Guardian . September 5, 2014. Archived from the original on March 25, 2024. Retrieved January 30, 2026.
  4. 1 2 Drell, Cady (June 25, 2014). "Karen O draws on former crushes for debut solo album 'Crush Songs'". Rolling Stone . Archived from the original on May 28, 2025. Retrieved January 30, 2026.
  5. ↑ Khomani, Nadia (December 22, 2014). "Karen O says Yeah Yeah Yeahs 'are on a bit of a hiatus'". NME . Archived from the original on April 11, 2025. Retrieved January 30, 2026.
  6. 1 2 Gordon, Jeremy (June 25, 2014). "Yeah Yeah Yeahs' Karen O announces first solo record, Crush Songs". Pitchfork . Archived from the original on November 1, 2025. Retrieved January 30, 2026.
  7. 1 2 3 4 Crush Songs (liner notes). Karen O. Cult Records. 2014. CLT0162.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  8. ↑ Launay, Nick (January 24, 2007). "New York! Yeah Yeah Yeah's". launay.com. Archived from the original on May 18, 2024. Retrieved January 30, 2026.
  9. 1 2 Stedman, Alex (June 25, 2014). "Yeah Yeah Yeahs' Karen O to release first solo album". Variety . Archived from the original on January 21, 2024. Retrieved January 30, 2026.
  10. ↑ MacInnes, Paul (September 4, 2014). "Karen O: Crush Songs review – low-fi sketches on love and loneliness". The Guardian . Archived from the original on August 4, 2024. Retrieved January 30, 2026.
  11. 1 2 3 Deusner, Stephen M. (September 10, 2014). "Crush Songs". Pitchfork . Archived from the original on August 4, 2024. Retrieved January 30, 2026.
  12. 1 2 3 Swann, Emma (September 3, 2014). "Karen O – Crush Songs". DIY . Retrieved October 7, 2017.
  13. 1 2 3 4 Phares, Heather. "Crush Songs - Karen O". AllMusic. Archived from the original on March 29, 2025. Retrieved January 30, 2026.
  14. ↑ Presley, Katie (September 5, 2014). "First listen: Karen O, 'Crush Songs'". KLCC . NPR . Retrieved January 30, 2026.
  15. ↑ Horner, Al (July 28, 2014). "Can Karen O survive without her Yeah Yeah Yeahs bandmates? Debut solo single 'Rapt' reviewed". NME . Archived from the original on August 21, 2019. Retrieved February 2, 2026.
  16. ↑ Hermes, Will (January 30, 2026). "Karen O's intimate, unpolished solo debut". NPR . Archived from the original on July 16, 2025. Retrieved January 30, 2026.
  17. 1 2 3 Ryzik, Melena (August 29, 2014). "Karen O goes solo with 'Crush Songs'". The New York Times . Archived from the original on April 5, 2023. Retrieved January 30, 2026.
  18. 1 2 "Julian Casablancas and Karen O interview each other". Time Out Group . September 24, 2014. Archived from the original on May 10, 2025. Retrieved January 30, 2026.
  19. ↑ Stubbs, Stuart (November 8, 2014). "They don't love you like I love you: Karen O, crushing hard". Loud and Quiet . Archived from the original on August 12, 2025. Retrieved January 30, 2026.
  20. ↑ Karan, Tim (September 8, 2014). "Karen O, 'Crush Songs' - Album review". Diffuser. Townsquare Media. Archived from the original on May 22, 2025. Retrieved January 30, 2026.
  21. ↑ Khomani, Nadia (December 18, 2024). "Karen O says label boss Julian Casablancas is 'a fucking amazing guy'". NME . Archived from the original on December 18, 2014. Retrieved January 30, 2026. Julian's honestly so loving and enthusiastic and generous with his support. He wouldn't let me doubt that I should put this record out, and just took that worry out of my hands.
  22. ↑ O, Karen (August 13, 2014). "So far". karenomusic.com. Archived from the original on September 16, 2014. Retrieved January 30, 2026.
  23. ↑ Alex, Young (August 13, 2014). "Karen O announces intimate solo performances". Consequence of Sound . Archived from the original on August 17, 2025. Retrieved January 30, 2026.
  24. ↑ Payne, Chris (July 28, 2014). "Watch Yeah Yeah Yeahs' Karen O's chilling video for solo single 'Rapt'". Billboard . Archived from the original on March 3, 2025. Retrieved January 30, 2026.
  25. ↑ O, Karen (September 5, 2014). "Crush Songs". karenomusic.com. Retrieved January 30, 2026.
  26. ↑ Stedman, Alex (June 25, 2014). "Yeah Yeah Yeahs' Karen O to release first solo album". Variety . Archived from the original on January 21, 2024. Retrieved January 30, 2026.
  27. ↑ Berman, Eliza (September 5, 2014). "Stream Karen O's introspective Crush Songs". Slate . Archived from the original on September 14, 2018. Retrieved January 31, 2026.
  28. ↑ Goble, Corban (February 10, 2015). "Karen O streams live album Live From Crush Palace". Pitchfork . Archived from the original on October 26, 2025. Retrieved January 30, 2026.
  29. ↑ Geslani, Michelle (February 10, 2015). "Stream: Karen O's new album Live From Crush Palace". Consequence of Sound . Archived from the original on August 15, 2025. Retrieved January 31, 2026.
  30. 1 2 "Reviews for Crush Songs by Karen O". Metacritic . Retrieved January 30, 2026.
  31. 1 2 Saraiya, Sonia (September 9, 2014). "Karen O's solo album lacks Yeah Yeah Yeahs' punch". The A.V. Club . Retrieved October 7, 2017.
  32. 1 2 Taylor, Benji (August 26, 2014). "Karen O – Crush Songs". Clash . Archived from the original on March 30, 2025. Retrieved January 31, 2026.
  33. 1 2 Collis, Clark; Anderson, Kyle; Rahman, Ray (September 5, 2014). "Albums: Sept. 12, 2014". Entertainment Weekly . Archived from the original on October 8, 2017. Retrieved January 31, 2026.
  34. 1 2 MacInnes, Paul (September 4, 2014). "Karen O: Crush Songs review – low-fi sketches on love and loneliness". The Guardian . Retrieved September 14, 2014.
  35. 1 2 Beaumont, Mark (September 7, 2014). "Karen O – 'Crush Songs'". NME . Archived from the original on September 22, 2014. Retrieved September 12, 2014.
  36. 1 2 Sheffield, Rob (September 9, 2014). "Karen O: Crush Songs". Rolling Stone . Retrieved September 14, 2014.
  37. ↑ "Karen O Chart History". Billboard . Retrieved January 30, 2026.
  38. ↑ Jones, Alan (September 15, 2014). "Official Charts Analysis: Sam Smith retains No.1 album slot in busiest week of the year". Music Week . Archived from the original on September 15, 2014. Retrieved September 15, 2014.
  39. 1 2 3 4 5 "Karen O – Official Charts Company". Official Charts Company . Retrieved January 30, 2026.
  40. ↑ "ARIA Hitseekers – Week commencing 15th September 2014" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association (1281): 21. September 15, 2014. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 23, 2014. Retrieved September 27, 2014.
  41. ↑ "Ultratop.be – Karen O – Crush Songs" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved September 14, 2014.
  42. ↑ "Ultratop.be – Karen O – Crush Songs" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved September 27, 2014.
  43. ↑ "GFK Chart-Track Albums: Week 37, 2014". GfK Chart-Track. IRMA. Retrieved September 14, 2014.
  44. ↑ "Top 20 Indie Individual Artist Albums". Irish Recorded Music Association. September 11, 2014. Archived from the original on October 6, 2014. Retrieved September 14, 2014.
  45. ↑ "Karen O Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard . Retrieved September 18, 2014.
  46. ↑ "Karen O Chart History (Independent Albums)". Billboard . Retrieved September 18, 2014.
  47. ↑ "Karen O Chart History (Top Alternative Albums)". Billboard . Retrieved September 18, 2014.
  48. ↑ "Karen O Chart History (Top Rock Albums)". Billboard . Retrieved September 18, 2014.
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