Heavy Heavy

Last updated

Heavy Heavy
Heavy Heavy Young Fathers album cover.png
Studio album by
Young Fathers
Released3 February 2023
Studio
  • Out of the Blue (Leith)
  • Narcissus Studio (London)
  • Northwind (Durban)
Length32:35
Label Ninja Tune
Producer Graham "G" Hastings
Young Fathers chronology
Cocoa Sugar
(2018)		Heavy Heavy
(2023)
Singles from Heavy Heavy
  1. "Geronimo"
    Released: 12 July 2022
  2. "I Saw"
    Released: 20 October 2022
  3. "Tell Somebody"
    Released: 6 December 2022
  4. "Rice"
    Released: 9 January 2023

Heavy Heavy is the fourth studio album by the Scottish indie group Young Fathers. It was released by Ninja Tune on 3 February 2023. The album was shortlisted for the 2023 Mercury Prize [1] , won the Scottish Album of the Year Award [2] , and was nominated for British Album of the Year at the Brit Awards. [3]

Contents

Recording

Heavy Heavy was produced by Graham "G" Hastings with additional production by Iain Berryman. It was recorded at three different studios: Out of the Blue Music Studios in Leith; Narcissus Studio in London; and Northwind in Durban, South Africa. [4]

"Sink or Swim" features a sample replay produced by Richard Adlam and Hal Ritson for Replay Heaven. [4]

Release

On 12 July 2022, the band released the single "Geronimo", their first new music in four years. [5] The album was officially announced on 20 October 2022, alongside a second single "I Saw" and a music video directed by Austrian-Nigerian artist David Uzochukwu. [6] A third single, "Tell Somebody", was released on 6 December 2022 with another Uzochukwu-directed music video. [7] "Rice", the fourth and final single, was released on 9 January 2023, also with a Uzochukwu-directed visual. [8] It was released by Ninja Tune on 3 February 2023.

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic 86/100 [9]
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [10]
DIY Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svg [11]
Exclaim! 8/10 [12]
Mojo Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [13]
NME Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svg [14]
The Observer Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [15]
Pitchfork 7.5/10 [16]
The Scotsman Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [17]
Uncut 8/10 [18]

Heavy Heavy was met with critical acclaim. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from professional publications, the album received an average score of 86, based on 17 reviews. [9]

Anthony Boire of Exclaim! gave the album an 8 out 10 rating, writing, "Heavy Heavy may be a little too sweet for long-time listeners, but its massive choruses, strong hooks and ecstatic sound too timely and too powerful to deny." [12] Loud and Quiet Mag gave the album 9/10, calling it "a brilliant return from a gold-standard band in UK music". [19] The Scotsman gave the album 4/5, writing Heavy Heavy "is delivered with mic-drop confidence, encased in another striking sleeve, redolent of partying with claws out". [17]

Reviewing the album for AllMusic, Andy Kellman noted that, "Heavy Heavy pulls in the listener with an empathetic lust for life that, whether brimming with optimism, steeling for a threat to survival, or reckoning with a perceived futility of existence, somehow never wavers." [10] For DIY Magazine , Sean Kerwick described it as, " Unique, raw and totally joyous." [11] In the review for NME , Dhruva Balram declared that, "Heavy Heavy is a passionate, soulful and often mesmerising work that will stick around long past the first listen. Succinct and underpinned by a catchy melodic structure, it continues Young Fathers’ peerless run of singular albums and further cements them as one of the more unique acts to exist today." [14]

Writing for Pitchfork , Will Pritchard stated that, "Heavy Heavy sweeps its listener along, churchlike, and conveys the feeling that resisting the urge will always feel worse than rising up and pushing the air from your lungs. And then, after a brief 10 tracks, it's all over—as if the procession has marched on, out of earshot. But the invite is still there extended: It's up to you whether to accept it or not." [16]

Year-end lists

Select year-end rankings of Heavy Heavy
Publication/criticAccoladeRankRef.
Clash Albums of the Year 2023
5
Consequence The 50 Best Albums of 2023
33
DIY Albums of the Year 2023
4
The Independent The 30 Best Albums of 2023
9
Mojo The 75 Best Albums of 2023
5
musicOMH Top 50 Albums of 2023
3
NME The Best Albums of 2023
3
PopMatters The 80 Best Albums of 2023
5
The Skinny Albums of 2023
1
The Sunday Times The 20 Best Albums of 2023
11

Track listing

All tracks are written by Kayus Bankole, Graham "G" Hastings and Alloysious Massaquoi, except where noted

Heavy Heavy track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Rice" 2:39
2."I Saw" 3:27
3."Drum" 3:38
4."Tell Somebody" 3:10
5."Geronimo" 3:33
6."Shoot Me Down" 3:28
7."Ululation"
  • Kayus Bankole
  • Graham "G" Hastings
  • Alloysious Massaquoi
  • Tapiwa Mambo
2:53
8."Sink or Swim" 3:04
9."Holy Moly" 3:29
10."Be Your Lady" 3:14
Total length:32:35

Personnel

Charts

Chart performance for Heavy Heavy
Chart (2023)Peak
position
Australian Digital Albums (ARIA) [30] 23
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders) [31] 73
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100) [32] 98
Irish Albums (IRMA) [33] 84
Scottish Albums (OCC) [34] 2
UK Albums (OCC) [35] 7

Related Research Articles

<i>Flu Game</i> 2021 studio album by AJ Tracey

Flu Game is the second studio album by British rapper AJ Tracey. It was released through Revenge Records on 16 April 2021. The album features guest appearances from Nav, Digga D, T-Pain, Kehlani, SahBabii, Millie Go Lightly, MoStack, and Mabel. The production is handled by AJ Tracey himself and executive producer Nyge, alongside The Elements, 5ive Beatz, AOD, Fred Again, Take a Daytrip, Pxcoyo, Yung Swisher, Kazza, Swidom, Yoz Beatz, Ryfy, Mark Raggio, Venna, and JBJ.

<i>White Men Are Black Men Too</i> 2015 studio album by Young Fathers

White Men Are Black Men Too is the second studio album by Scottish indie group Young Fathers. It was released on Big Dada on 6 April 2015. It peaked at number 41 on the UK Albums Chart.

<i>FM!</i> 2018 studio album by Vince Staples

FM! is the third studio album by American rapper Vince Staples, released on November 2, 2018, through Blacksmith Records and Def Jam Recordings. The album is primarily produced by Kenny Beats, with further production by Hagler, Cubeatz and KillaGraham, and features guest vocals from Kamaiyah, E-40, Jay Rock, Kehlani, Earl Sweatshirt, Buddy and Tyga, among others.

<i>Legacy! Legacy!</i> 2019 studio album by Jamila Woods

Legacy! Legacy! is the second studio album by American singer-songwriter and poet Jamila Woods, released on May 10, 2019, by Jagjaguwar. Woods supported the album with her own concert tour, along with performing as the opening act for the rapper Common's tour in 2019 and the singer Raphael Saadiq's 2020 Jimmy Lee Tour.

<i>Modus Vivendi</i> (070 Shake album) 2020 studio album by 070 Shake

Modus Vivendi is the debut studio album by American alternative pop artist 070 Shake. It was released by GOOD Music and Def Jam on January 17, 2020. It was promoted by the singles "Morrow", "Nice to Have", "Under the Moon" and "Guilty Conscience", and features production from Mike Dean and indie rock musician Dave Hamelin, among others.

<i>The Long Goodbye</i> (Riz Ahmed album) 2020 studio album by Riz Ahmed

The Long Goodbye is the second studio album by Riz Ahmed. It was released on his own record label Mongrel Records on 6 March 2020. It is a concept album and was produced by Redinho. It features guest appearances from Ahmed's mother, as well as Mindy Kaling, Mahershala Ali, Yara Shahidi, Asim Chaudhry, Hasan Minhaj, and Jay Sean. It was accompanied by a short film of the same name directed by Aneil Karia, which won Best Live Action Short Film at the 94th Academy Awards. "Mogambo" was released as a single in 2018.

<i>Ricky Music</i> 2020 studio album by Porches

Ricky Music is the fourth studio album by American band Porches. It was released on March 13, 2020 under Domino Records.

<i>Mordechai</i> (album) 2020 studio album by Khruangbin

Mordechai is the third studio album by American musical trio Khruangbin. It was released June 26, 2020 under Dead Oceans and Night Time Stories.

<i>E3 AF</i> 2020 studio album by Dizzee Rascal

E3 AF is the seventh studio album by English rapper Dizzee Rascal, released on 30 October 2020 by Dirtee Stank and Island Records.

<i>Send Them to Coventry</i> 2020 mixtape by Pa Salieu

Send Them to Coventry is the debut mixtape by British rapper Pa Salieu. It was self-released on 13 November 2020 under exclusive licence to Warner Music UK. Production was handled by Aod, Felix Joseph, Kwes Darko, Jevon, Sillkey, Chucks, Honeywood6, The Fanatix, Wauve and Yussef Dayes. It features guest appearances from BackRoad Gee, Boy Boy, Eight9FLY, Lz Dinero, M1llionz, Mahalia, Ni Santora, Stizee and Shakavellie.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shygirl</span> British singer and DJ (born 1993)

Blane Muise, better known by her stage name Shygirl, is an English singer, DJ, rapper, songwriter and co-head/founder of record label and collective Nuxxe. Shygirl's music incorporates elements of dance music, industrial hip-hop, experimental pop, grime and deconstructed club. She has also been associated with the hyperpop music scene. Shygirl rose to prominence after working with close collaborator and friend Sega Bodega, as well as other well-known experimental producers Arca and Sophie, and gaining attention from the likes of Rihanna, who has used various Nuxxe tracks for her Fenty Beauty commercials and fashion shows. Shygirl has released various singles since 2016, and two EPs titled Cruel Practice and Alias. Her debut studio album Nymph was released on 30 September 2022 to widespread acclaim from music critics.

<i>Open Door Policy</i> (album) 2021 studio album by the Hold Steady

Open Door Policy is the eighth studio album by the American rock band the Hold Steady, released on February 19, 2021, through the band's own label Positive Jams. The album was produced by Josh Kaufman, who has previously worked with the band on their seventh studio album, Thrashing Thru the Passion (2019), and was preceded by the singles "Family Farm", "Heavy Covenant" and "Spices".

<i>Good Woman</i> (The Staves album) 2021 studio album by The Staves

Good Woman is the fourth studio album by the English band the Staves. It was released on 5 February 2021 by Atlantic Records UK in the UK and Nonesuch Records worldwide.

<i>Jubilee</i> (Japanese Breakfast album) 2021 studio album by Japanese Breakfast

Jubilee is the third studio album by American alternative pop band Japanese Breakfast, released on June 4, 2021 through Dead Oceans. Released shortly after the publication of her memoir Crying in H Mart, frontwoman Michelle Zauner said, "After spending the last five years writing about grief," she wanted Japanese Breakfast's third album "to be about joy".

<i>Seek Shelter</i> 2021 studio album by Iceage

Seek Shelter is the fifth studio album by Danish punk rock band Iceage. It was released on 7 May 2021, by Mexican Summer. A post-punk album with classic rock and Britpop influences, Seek Shelter experiments with diverse sounds that recalls the music of the Pogues, the Replacements, the Rolling Stones, and the Velvet Underground. Upon release, the album was met with widespread critical acclaim with praise towards its eclectic sound and poetic lyricism.

<i>Last Year Was Weird</i> (Vol. 2) 2020 EP by Tkay Maidza

Last Year Was Weird is the third extended play and second in a trilogy by Australian singer and rapper Tkay Maidza. It was announced on 15 July 2020 alongside single "Don't Call Again" and released digitally on 7 August 2020 by 4AD. The EP features contributions from JPEGMafia and Kari Faux.

<i>Hyper-Dimensional Expansion Beam</i> 2022 studio album by the Comet Is Coming

Hyper-Dimensional Expansion Beam is the third and final studio album by English band the Comet Is Coming. It was released on 23 September 2022 under Impulse! Records.

<i>This Is Why</i> 2023 studio album by Paramore

This Is Why is the sixth studio album by the American rock band Paramore, released on February 10, 2023. It is their first album since 2017, following After Laughter, and is the band's second album to have that lineup. It is their final studio album under Atlantic Records. The album was supported by four singles: "This Is Why", "The News", "C'est Comme Ça", and "Running Out of Time".

<i>Acrylic</i> (album) 2018 studio album by Leikeli47

Acrylic is a 2018 studio album by American rapper Leikeli47. The second of three releases in her concept album trilogy based around beauty, it has received positive reviews from critics.

<i>Javelin</i> (album) 2023 studio album by Sufjan Stevens

Javelin is the tenth studio album by American musician Sufjan Stevens. It was released on October 6, 2023, through Asthmatic Kitty. It received widespread critical acclaim on release.

References

  1. ↑ Snapes, Laura (27 July 2023). "Mercury Prize 2023: Arctic Monkeys tie Radiohead's record for most nominations". The Guardian . Retrieved 28 July 2023.
  2. ↑ Coe, Oliver (27 October 2023). "Young Fathers win Scottish album of the year". BBC Music . Retrieved 27 October 2023.
  3. ↑ "Nominees". BRIT Awards. Retrieved 8 March 2024.
  4. 1 2 Heavy Heavy (liner notes). Young Fathers. Ninja Tune. 2023. ZEN285.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  5. ↑ Shutler, Ali (12 July 2022). "Listen to Young Fathers' 'Geronimo', their first new track in four years". NME . Retrieved 1 February 2023.
  6. ↑ Ruiz, Matthew Ismael (20 October 2022). "Young Fathers Announce New Album Heavy Heavy, Share Video for New Song: Watch". Pitchfork . Retrieved 1 February 2023.
  7. ↑ Brasil, Sydney (6 December 2022). "Young Fathers Share New Single "Tell Somebody"". Exclaim! . Retrieved 1 February 2023.
  8. ↑ Breihan, Tom (9 January 2023). "Young Fathers – "Rice"". Stereogum . Retrieved 1 February 2023.
  9. 1 2 "Heavy Heavy by Young Fathers Reviews and Tracks". Metacritic . Retrieved 31 March 2023.
  10. 1 2 Kellman, Andy (3 February 2023). "Young Fathers - Heavy Heavy Album Reviews, Songs & More". AllMusic . Retrieved 16 February 2023.
  11. 1 2 Kerwick, Sean (1 February 2023). "Young Fathers - Heavy Heavy". DIY . Retrieved 1 February 2023.
  12. 1 2 Boire, Anthony (31 January 2023). "Young Fathers Are Bigger and Brighter Than Ever on 'Heavy Heavy'". Exclaim! . Retrieved 1 February 2023.
  13. ↑ Doyle, Tom (March 2023). "Superfly Weight". Mojo . No. 352. p. 88.
  14. 1 2 Balram, Dhruva (3 February 2023). "Young Fathers – 'Heavy Heavy' review: anthemic, boundary-breaking pop". NME . Retrieved 3 February 2023.
  15. ↑ Kalia, Ammar (5 February 2023). "Young Fathers - Heavy Heavy". The Observer . Retrieved 6 February 2023.
  16. 1 2 Pritchard, Will (7 February 2023). "Young Fathers: Heavy Heavy Album Review". Pitchfork . Retrieved 7 February 2023.
  17. 1 2 Shepherd, Fiona (27 January 2023). "Album reviews: Young Fathers | Hifi Sean & David McAlmont | Kirsten Adamson". The Scotsman . Retrieved 10 February 2023.
  18. ↑ Richards, Sam (March 2023). "Young Fathers – Heavy Heavy". Uncut . No. 310. p. 36.
  19. ↑ Gatward, Tristan (30 January 2023). "Young Fathers - Heavy Heavy - Album Review". Loud and Quiet . Retrieved 10 February 2023.
  20. ↑ Connor, Christopher (13 December 2023). "Albums Of The Year 2023". Clash . Retrieved 18 December 2023.
  21. ↑ Kaye, Ben (4 December 2023). "The 50 Best Albums of 2023 Ranked". Consequence . Retrieved 18 December 2023.
  22. ↑ Wright, Lisa (7 December 2023). "DIY's Albums of the Year 2023". DIY . Retrieved 18 December 2023.
  23. ↑ Beaumont, Mark (15 December 2023). "The 30 best albums of 2023, from Olivia Rodrigo to Lana Del Rey". The Independent . Retrieved 18 December 2023.
  24. ↑ "The 75 Best Albums of 2023". Mojo . No. 362. January 2024. p. 57.
  25. ↑ Hubbard, Michael (8 December 2023). "musicOMH's Top 50 Albums Of 2023". musicOMH . Retrieved 18 December 2023.
  26. ↑ Smith, Thomas (8 December 2023). "The best albums of 2023". NME . Retrieved 18 December 2023.
  27. ↑ Morgan, Tom (8 December 2023). "The 80 Best Albums of 2023". PopMatters . Retrieved 18 December 2023.
  28. ↑ Bhadani, Anita (8 December 2023). "The Skinny's Albums of 2023". The Skinny . Retrieved 18 December 2023.
  29. ↑ Cairns, Dan; Dean, Jonathan (3 December 2023). "The 20 best albums of 2023 — the critics' choice" . The Sunday Times . Archived from the original on 3 December 2023. Retrieved 18 December 2023.
  30. ↑ "The ARIA Report: Week Commencing 13 February 2023". The ARIA Report. No. 1719. Australian Recording Industry Association. 13 February 2023. p. 10.
  31. ↑ "Ultratop.be – Young Fathers – Heavy Heavy" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 12 February 2023.
  32. ↑ "Offiziellecharts.de – Young Fathers – Heavy Heavy" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved 10 February 2023.
  33. ↑ "Irish Albums Chart: 10 February 2023". Irish Recorded Music Association . Retrieved 11 February 2023.
  34. ↑ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 11 February 2023.
  35. ↑ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 10 February 2023.
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.