Formal Growth in the Desert

Formal Growth in the Desert
Studio album by Protomartyr
Released	June 2, 2023 (2023-06-02)
Recorded	August 1–14, 2022
Studio	Sonic Ranch (Tornillo, Texas)
Genre	Post-punk
Length	37:41
Label	Domino
Producer	Greg Ahee, Jake Aron
Protomartyr chronology
Ultimate Success Today (2020) Formal Growth in the Desert (2023)
Singles from Formal Growth in the Desert
"Make Way" Released: March 7, 2023 "Elimination Dances" Released: April 26, 2023 "Polacrilex Kid" Released: May 30, 2023

Formal Growth in the Desert is the sixth studio album by American post-punk band Protomartyr. It was released on June 2, 2023, on Domino Records. ^[1] It was preceded by the three singles Make Way, Elimination Dances and Polacrilex Kid.

Professional ratings

Aggregate scores
Source	Rating
AnyDecentMusic?	8.0/10 [2]
Metacritic	80/100 [3]
Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[4]
DIY	[5]
The Line of Best Fit	9/10 [6]
NME	[7]
Pitchfork	7.6/10 [8]
The Skinny	[9]
Slant Magazine	[10]
Sputnikmusic	4.1/5 [11]

Track listing

All tracks are written by Protomartyr.

Formal Growth in the Desert track listing

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Make Way"	2:58
2.	"For Tomorrow"	2:27
3.	"Elimination Dances"	3:37
4.	"Fun in Hi Skool"	2:43
5.	"Let's Tip the Creator"	3:43
6.	"Graft vs. Host"	2:52
7.	"3800 Tigers"	2:24
8.	"Polacrilex Kid"	3:48
9.	"Fulfillment Center"	1:53
10.	"We Know the Rats"	2:56
11.	"The Author"	3:21
12.	"Rain Garden"	4:59
Total length:		37:41

Personnel

Adapted from album liner notes:

Protomartyr

• Joe Casey – vocals
• Greg Ahee – guitars, synth
• Alex Leonard – drums
• Scott Davidson – bass guitar

Guest musicians

• Bill Radcliffe – pedal steel

Additional credits

• Jake Aron – recording engineer, mixing
• Sarah Register – master
• Mario Ramirez – assistant engineer
• Nat Chernitsky Rittner – assistant engineer
• Diego Mendoza – assistant engineer
• Trevor Naud – photos
• Nicholas Kitakis – cover model
• Breonna Phillips – cover model
• Joe Casey (credited as "JKB Casey") – layout
• Jeff Arcel – layout

Charts

Chart performance for Formal Growth in the Desert

Chart (2023)	Peak position
Scottish Albums (OCC) [12]	29
UK Album Downloads (OCC) [13]	49
UK Independent Albums (OCC) [14]	10

References

1. "Protomartyr Announce New Album Formal Growth in the Desert, Share Video for New Song". Pitchfork. March 7, 2023. Retrieved April 26, 2023.
2. "Formal Growth in the Desert by Protomartyr reviews | Any Decent Music". AnyDecentMusic?. Retrieved April 22, 2025.
3. "Formal Growth in the Desert by Protomartyr Reviews and Tracks". Metacritic . Retrieved May 15, 2024.
4. Deming, Mark. "Formal Growth in the Desert – Protomartyr | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic . Retrieved May 15, 2024.
5. Lombardi, Matthew (May 31, 2023). "Protomartyr – Formal Growth in the Desert review". DIY . Retrieved May 15, 2024.
6. Horton, Ross (June 2, 2023). "Protomartyr firmly establish themselves as some of Detroit's finest with Formal Growth In The Desert". The Line of Best Fit . Retrieved April 22, 2025.
7. Campbell, Erica (June 5, 2023). "Protomartyr – 'Formal Growth in the Desert' review". NME . Retrieved April 22, 2025.
8. Minsker, Evan (June 6, 2023). "Protomartyr: Formal Growth in the Desert". Pitchfork . Retrieved April 22, 2025.
9. Turner-Heffer, Adam (May 31, 2023). "Protomartyr – Formal Growth in the Desert". The Skinny . Retrieved April 22, 2025.
10. Barrett, Fred (May 29, 2023). "Protomartyr Formal Growth in the Desert Review: Expansion into Uncharted Terrain". Slant Magazine . Retrieved April 22, 2025.
11. "Review: Protomartyr – Formal Growth In The Desert". Sputnikmusic . Retrieved April 22, 2025.
12. "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 10, 2023.
13. "Official Album Downloads Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 10, 2023.
14. "Official Independent Albums Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 10, 2023.