Cover arts for the 4 different editions of If Looks Could Kill. Clockwise from top left:core digital version,vinyl version,CD version and the Directors Cut.
If Looks Could Kill is the debut studio album by American rapper and singer Destroy Lonely. It was released through Opium and Interscope Records on May 5,2023.[1] Production was handled by Cxdy,DxnnyFxntom,Lil 88 and TM88,among others. The album is completely devoid of any features with the sole exception being Ken Carson's appearance on the bonus track "Money &Sex". The CD edition of the album was released the same day as the digital version,which contains three new tracks. The vinyl edition of the album was released on August 11,2023,also containing three new tracks. The deluxe edition of the album,subtitled "Directors Cut",was released on September 29,2023,including all bonus tracks from all versions. The album serves as a follow-up to his fifth mixtape,No Stylist (2022).
The album was supported by the single "If Looks Could Kill",released on March 3,2023,after a snippet went viral on TikTok.[2] Single debuted at number 30 on the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.[3]If Looks Could Kill received mostly positive reviews from music critics. The album debuted at number 18 on the US Billboard 200,earning 29,000 album-equivalent units in its first week.
Background and release
Destroy Lonely revealed the name of the album on September 15,2022,in a now-deleted Twitter post.[4] Following this,Opium premiered the song “If Looks Could Kill”on March 3,2023.[5]
On April 28,Destroy Lonely revealed on social media the album art and its release date of May 5.[6] At the same time,a CD and deluxe vinyl release of If Looks Could Kill was announced,both of which would feature bonus tracks not found on the digital release.[7]
Artwork
On April 27,2023,the track list of the album was leaked,revealing 26 songs,25 solo songs and a bonus track with Ken Carson. The next day,Destroy Lonely indicated that the album would be released on May 5,and they showed the album's cover art.[8] It was also revealed that there would be a physical release of this album,both of which would get their own bonus tracks not found on the digital release.[9]
Short film
Destroy Lonely also released an accompanying musicalshort film,Look Killa,released the same day as the album.[10]
Alexander Cole of HotNewHipHop gave the album a “Very Hottttt”,stating:“Some might find the 26-track album to be a bit overwhelming,especially when you consider how pretty well every song is handled by Destroy Lonely,and only Destroy Lonely. However,this is one of those albums that you can put on and pick and choose your favorites before making a playlist of them. It is a direct product of the streaming era philosophy. Regardless,fans of DL will most certainly enjoy this new album''.[14]
Kieran Press-Reynolds from Pitchfork stated:"Lonely's music has always radiated a fashion-killer cool and pristine effortlessness,but the dampened vocals and amorphously uneventful beats on If Looks Could Kill are a new level of aloof. The neon joy of his past music is lost in these songs,resulting in an album that’s monochromatic and myopic,a vacuum of formulaic beats and flexes with the odd flicker of genuine creativity.”[13]
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