Happenings (Kasabian album)

Last updated

Happenings
Kasabian - Happenings.png
Studio album by
Released5 July 2024 (2024-07-05)
RecordedOctober 2022 – December 2023
Genre
Length28:00
Label Sony
Producer
Kasabian chronology
The Alchemist's Euphoria
(2022)
Happenings
(2024)
Singles from Happenings
  1. "Algorithms"
    Released: 16 June 2023
  2. "Call"
    Released: 21 February 2024
  3. "Coming Back to Me Good"
    Released: 12 April 2024
  4. "Darkest Lullaby"
    Released: 21 June 2024

Happenings is the eighth studio album by the English rock band Kasabian. It was released on 5 July 2024 through Sony Music.

Contents

With a length of exactly 28 minutes, it is the band's shortest album to date.

Background and singles

Kasabian announced Happenings on 5 December 2023, shortly after recording wrapped with two days left for the mixing process. Inspired by gigs of 1960s psychedelic bands, it was said to be a "joyous" album filled with "big tunes". The band started recording while they were touring their previous record The Alchemist's Euphoria in late 2022. [3] The album release on 5 July 2024 will coincide with their homecoming headline show at Victoria Park, Leicester on 6 July. [4]

The lead single "Algorithms", a commentary on the emergence of artificial intelligence, was released on 16 June 2023, more than a year ahead of the album release. [5] "Call" was released as the second single on 21 February 2024, a song the band referred to as "dance music". [6] On 12 April, they released the "summer-ready" "Coming Back to Me Good" in the form "of a short and sweet anthem" with a "disco drive" but also moments of "togetherness", according to Serge Pizzorno. [7]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic 74/100 [8]
Review scores
SourceRating
The Arts Desk Star full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [9]
Clash 7/10 [10]
The Guardian Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [11]
The Independent Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [12]
Louder Than War 4/5 [13]
MusicOMH Star full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [14]
NME Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [15]
The Observer Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [16]
The Telegraph Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [17]

Happenings received a score of 74 out of 100 on review aggregator Metacritic based on 12 critics' reviews, indicating "generally favorable" reception. [8] Mojo felt that "short it may be, but Happenings is full of ideas". [18]

Track listing

All tracks are written by Serge Pizzorno.

Happenings track listing
No.TitleLength
1."Darkest Lullaby"3:10
2."Call"2:30
3."How Far Will You Go"1:49
4."Coming Back to Me Good"2:49
5."G.O.A.T"3:07
6."Passengers"2:50
7."Hell of It"3:23
8."Italian Horror"2:35
9."Bird in a Cage"2:38
10."Algorithms"3:09
Total length:28:00

Physical editions include a short introductory instrumental track, "Happenings".

Personnel

Kasabian

Additional contributors

Charts

Chart performance for Happenings
Chart (2024)Peak
position
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia) [19] 147
Japanese Digital Albums (Oricon) [20] 40
Japanese Hot Albums ( Billboard Japan ) [21] 64
Scottish Albums (OCC) [22] 1
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade) [23] 90
UK Albums (OCC) [24] 1

Related Research Articles

<i>Kasabian</i> (album) 2004 studio album by Kasabian

Kasabian is the debut studio album by British rock band Kasabian, released on 6 September 2004. The album's highest chart position on the UK Albums Chart was number 4, making it the band's only studio album not to reach number one. Five singles were released from Kasabian.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">L.S.F. (song)</span> 2004 single by Kasabian

"L.S.F." is the second single released by the British rock group Kasabian. It was the band's first UK Top 10 hit, peaking at No. 10 and staying in the Top 75 for five weeks. The song also charted in the United States, peaking at No. 32 on Billboard's Alternative Songs chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kasabian</span> English rock band

Kasabian are an English rock band formed in Leicester in 1997 by lead vocalist Tom Meighan, guitarist and second vocalist Sergio Pizzorno, guitarist Chris Karloff and bassist Chris Edwards. Drummer Ian Matthews joined in 2004. Karloff left the band in 2006 and founded a new band called Black Onassis. Jay Mehler joined as touring lead guitarist in 2006, leaving for Liam Gallagher's Beady Eye in 2013, to be replaced by Tim Carter, who later became a full-time band member in 2021. Meighan left the band in July 2020, with Pizzorno stepping up as full-time lead vocalist.

<i>Empire</i> (Kasabian album) 2006 studio album by Kasabian

Empire is the second album by British rock band Kasabian, released in August 2006. The album went on to No. 1 in the UK Albums Chart upon its release and was preceded by the release of new single "Empire" on 24 July 2006.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Empire (Kasabian song)</span> 2006 single by Kasabian

"Empire" is a song by English rock band Kasabian, included as the title track for their second studio album, Empire (2006). It was released 24 July 2006 as the lead single from that album on CD. The single became popular immediately, entering the UK Singles Chart at number nine, its peak position, making it the band's third UK top-ten single. On 21 August 2006, 10-inch and DVD versions of the single were released.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Club Foot (song)</span> 2004 single by Kasabian

"Club Foot" is a song by English indie rock band Kasabian, featured on their 2004 debut album, Kasabian. It was released on 10 May 2004 in the UK. The video of this song, directed by W.I.Z., is dedicated to Czech student Jan Palach who in 1969 set himself on fire in protest against renewed Soviet suppression of Czechoslovakia. The video also refers to the Soviet government's intervention in the Hungarian Revolution of 1956 on a banner showing the text in Hungarian, which translates as "Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty". The scene with the inspector girl who stands before the tank harks back to the young man who stood in front of the line of tanks in 1989 in Tiananmen Square, which itself has become an icon for resistance.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shoot the Runner</span> Song by Kasabian

"Shoot the Runner" is a song by English rock band Kasabian and is the second track on their second album, Empire. It was released on 6 November 2006 as the second single from that album in the United Kingdom, peaking at #17 in the UK Singles Chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Serge Pizzorno</span> English musician

Sergio Lorenzo "Serge" Pizzorno is an English musician, singer, songwriter, and record producer. He is best known as the co-founder, guitarist, and second vocalist of the rock band Kasabian, for whom he became the primary songwriter after the departure of Christopher Karloff in 2006 and the sole vocalist following the firing of Tom Meighan in 2020. He is also a member of Loose Tapestries alongside Noel Fielding and fellow Kasabian member Tim Carter, a group put together to produce music for Fielding's TV series Noel Fielding's Luxury Comedy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Me Plus One (Kasabian song)</span> 2007 single by Kasabian

"Me Plus One" is a song by English rock band Kasabian and is the fourth track on their second album, Empire (2006). The song was released on 29 January 2007 as the third single from that album in the United Kingdom, placing at number 22 on the UK Singles Chart a week later. It was the first Kasabian single to feature guitarist, chief songwriter and band leader Sergio Pizzorno on lead vocals before Tom Meighan's departure from the band in 2020, with the second being "Bow" in 2014 and the third being "Are You Looking For Action?" in 2017.

<i>West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum</i> 2009 studio album by Kasabian

West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum is the third studio album by British indie rock band Kasabian, which was released on 5 June 2009. It was the band's first album not to feature Christopher Karloff, the band's lead guitarist and songwriter who departed during the writing stages of Empire (2006). Rhythm guitarist Sergio Pizzorno became lead songwriter and co-producer for the band. It is also their first album to feature guitar contributions from Tim Carter, who would become the band's touring guitarist in 2013 and a full-fledged member of the band in 2021.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fire (Kasabian song)</span> 2009 single by Kasabian

"Fire" is a song by English rock band Kasabian and is the lead single from their third album, West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum. It was released 1 June 2009. On the week of its release, it debuted at number 3 on the UK Singles Chart, making it their first UK top-three entry and their highest-charting single to date as well as their fourth UK top-ten single. "Fire" also debuted at number one in Scotland, becoming Kasabian's highest-charting single there as well. On the Australian ARIA Singles Chart, it debuted at number 44 peaked at number 41.

<i>Velociraptor!</i> 2011 studio album by Kasabian

Velociraptor! is the fourth studio album by English rock band Kasabian, released on 16 September 2011. The album has been described as expanding upon the neo-psychedelic feel of their previous album West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum with a stronger emphasis on experimental song structures and instrumentation. It was released to critical acclaim and became their third UK number-one album.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Goodbye Kiss</span> 2012 single by Kasabian

"Goodbye Kiss" is the third single by Kasabian from their fourth studio album, Velociraptor! (2011). It was released first as a music video and then as a single A-side 10" vinyl on 20 February 2012. It is available as a digital download. On 27 November 2011, Kasabian performed "Goodbye Kiss" during the BBC's Formula 1 and performed on 2011 closing season montage and on BBC's The Graham Norton Show.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eez-eh</span> 2014 single by Kasabian

"Eez-eh" is a song by English rock band Kasabian from their fifth studio album, 48:13. The song was released as the lead single to promote the album on 29 April 2014.

<i>48:13</i> 2014 album by Kasabian

48:13 is the fifth studio album by English rock band Kasabian. The album, produced by the band's leader, songwriter, guitarist, and second vocalist Sergio Pizzorno, and named after its total running time, was released in Germany on 6 June 2014 and in the UK on 9 June 2014. The album entered at number one on the UK Albums Chart in its first week of release making it the band's fourth consecutive UK number one album. The album received mixed-to-positive reviews from critics who were divided on the electronic-heavy direction as well as criticising the lyrics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bumblebeee</span> 2014 single by Kasabian

"Bumblebeee" is a song by English rock band Kasabian - the second single from their fifth studio album, 48:13. The single was released on 3 August 2014 as the follow-up to 48:13's lead single, "eez-eh". It peaked at #165 on the UK Singles Chart. The b-side, "gelfling", is named after the characters from the film The Dark Crystal, and is an electronic track without any main vocals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bless This Acid House</span> 2017 single by Kasabian

"Bless This Acid House" is a song by alternative rock band Kasabian. It was released as the third single from their sixth studio album, For Crying Out Loud on 4 May 2017. The single peaked at number 65 on the Scottish Singles Chart in 2017.

THE S.L.P. is the solo musical project of Serge Pizzorno, the guitarist and lead songwriter of the rock band Kasabian. The name comes from the initials of his full name, Sergio Lorenzo Pizzorno. Its debut single, "Favourites", featured rapper Little Simz. It was released 14 May 2019, debuting on BBC Radio 1's Future Sounds with Annie Mac.

<i>Music of the Spheres</i> (Coldplay album) 2021 studio album by Coldplay

Music of the Spheres is the ninth studio album by British rock band Coldplay, released on 15 October 2021 by Parlophone in the United Kingdom and Atlantic Records in the United States. The album was produced by Max Martin, who is a new producer to the band's discography. It features guest appearances from Selena Gomez, We Are King, Jacob Collier and BTS, as well as returning contributions from electronic producer Jon Hopkins.

<i>The Alchemists Euphoria</i> 2022 studio album by Kasabian

The Alchemist's Euphoria is the seventh studio album by British band Kasabian, released on 12 August 2022 through Sony Music. It is Kasabian's first album in five years, following For Crying Out Loud (2017), and first to feature Serge Pizzorno as a sole lead vocalist after former frontman Tom Meighan was fired in 2020 amid his domestic assault conviction. It is also their first album to feature guitarist Tim Carter as a permanent member, who contributed to all of the band's albums since West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum in 2009, and joined the band in 2013 as a touring guitarist.

References

  1. "Kasabian 'Happenings' : Album Review". Louder Than War. Retrieved 11 July 2024.
  2. Petridis, Alexis. "Kasabian: Happenings review – pivot towards pop could almost be Coldplay". The Guardian. Retrieved 11 July 2024.
  3. Mensah, Jenny (7 December 2023). "Serge Pizzorno teases "joyous, big tune" Happenings album and "Kasabian happenings all over the world"". Radio X . Retrieved 2 June 2024.
  4. Maplethorpe, Dale (5 December 2023). "Kasabian announce new album Happenings". Far Out . Retrieved 2 June 2024.
  5. Singh, Surej (16 June 2023). "Kasabian highlight the differences between humans and AI on new single, Algorithms". NME . Retrieved 2 June 2024.
  6. Mensah, Jenny (21 February 2024). "Kasabian unveil dance-infused "Call" single share Happenings album details". Radio X. Retrieved 2 June 2024.
  7. Dunworth, Liberty (12 April 2024). "Listen to Kasabian's new anthemic single "Coming Back To Me Good"". NME. Retrieved 2 June 2024.
  8. 1 2 "Happenings by Kasabian Reviews and Tracks". Metacritic . Retrieved 17 July 2024.
  9. Green, Thomas (3 July 2024). "Album: Kasabian – Happenings review – snappy but not quite where it wants to be". The Arts Desk . Retrieved 17 July 2024.
  10. Murray, Robin. "Kasabian – Happenings". Clash . Retrieved 11 July 2024.
  11. Petridis, Alexis. "Kasabian: Happenings review – pivot towards pop could almost be Coldplay". The Guardian . Retrieved 11 July 2024.
  12. Brown, Helen. "Kasabian review, Happenings: A resurgence that few would have expected". The Independent . Retrieved 11 July 2024.
  13. "Kasabian Happenings: Album Review". Louder Than War . Retrieved 11 July 2024.
  14. White, Chris. "Kasabian – Happenings". MusicOMH . Retrieved 11 July 2024.
  15. Morgan, Tom. "Kasabian – Happenings review: concise, colourful affability". NME . Retrieved 11 July 2024.
  16. Mongredien, Phil (5 July 2024). "Kasabian: Happenings review – newfound concision and big choruses". The Observer . Retrieved 17 July 2024.
  17. McCormick, Neil. "Kasabian, Happenings: a psychedelic pop infusion that Dua Lipa could only dream of". The Daily Telegraph . Retrieved 11 July 2024.
  18. "Kasabian – Happenings". Mojo . August 2024. p. 83.
  19. "Ultratop.be – Kasabian – Happenings" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved 14 July 2024.
  20. "Oricon Top 50 Digital Albums: July 15, 2024" (in Japanese). Oricon . Retrieved 11 July 2024.
  21. "Billboard Japan Hot Albums – Week of July 17, 2024". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). Retrieved 17 July 2024.
  22. "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 13 July 2024.
  23. "Swisscharts.com – Kasabian – Happenings". Hung Medien. Retrieved 14 July 2024.
  24. "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 12 July 2024.