The Golden Age (Woodkid album)

Last updated
The Golden Age
The Golden Age Album Art.jpg
Studio album by
Released18 March 2013
Recorded2010–2012
Genre
Length48:34
Label Green United Music
Woodkid chronology
Run Boy Run (EP)
(2012)
The Golden Age
(2013)
S16
(2020)
Singles from The Golden Age
  1. "Iron"
    Released: 28 March 2011
  2. "Run Boy Run"
    Released: 21 May 2012
  3. "I Love You"
    Released: 9 February 2013

The Golden Age is the debut studio album from French singer-songwriter and director Woodkid. It was released on 18 March 2013 through independent label, Green United Music. Lemoine released the official album cover through a video he created himself on 14 December 2012 [2] and released the album's corresponding track listing one week later on 21 December 2012 on his official Facebook page.

Contents

During an interview with NBHAP, Lemoine indicated that The Golden Age was inspired by his childhood, which he considered his "Golden Age". [3]

Singles

Three songs appearing in the album have been released as singles:

"Run Boy Run" was used in several O2 adverts (those voiced by Sean Bean). [4] [5]

The music video for Woodkid track "Run Boy Run" was nominated for Best Short Form Music Video at the 2013 Grammy Awards. It was directed by Yoann Lemoine (Woodkid) himself. [6]

Reception

Critical response

Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic 66/100 [7]
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svg [8]
The Guardian Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [1]
PopMatters 5/10 [9]

On Metacritic, the album has a score of 66 out of 100, based on 9 reviews. [7]

Logan Smithson of PopMatters states "There can be no doubt against the fact that The Golden Age feels powerful. Whether it’s more of a thoughtless Michael Bay thriller or a deep adventure with the intricacies of Christopher Nolan, there are definitely explosions galore and production values that will keep you on the edge of your seat. There aren’t many albums that sound like Woodkid’s The Golden Age. If you’re in the mood for something bold, with loud production and poetic lyrics, The Golden Age might be worth hearing. It just might not be an experience that sticks with you in the long run." [9]

Heather Phares of AllMusic said that while "it's beyond cliche to call sweeping, orchestral music "filmic," but in the case of music video director Yoann Lemoine's debut album as Woodkid, The Golden Age, the term fits." He also stated that "Lemoine's music is more in line with Antony & the Johnsons -- lavish, often torchy songs that pair dramatic backdrops with his charmingly imperfect vocals", and, despite the fact that it is an "at times exhausting album, The Golden Age shows Lemoine is skilled at making music as well as music videos." [8]

Track listing

No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."The Golden Age"Yoann Lemoine, Dany Héricourt3:44
2."Run Boy Run"Lemoine, Ambroise Willaume3:33
3."The Great Escape"Lemoine, Héricourt, Guillaume Brière3:17
4."Boat Song"Lemoine, Mitchell Yoshida4:28
5."I Love You"Lemoine, Willaume, arranged by Ambroise Willaume3:51
6."The Shore"Lemoine4:14
7."Ghost Lights"Lemoine, arranged by Ambroise Willaume3:41
8."Shadows"Lemoine2:02
9."Stabat Mater"Lemoine, Héricourt, SebastiAn, arranged by SebastiAn2:49
10."Conquest of Spaces"Lemoine, Héricourt4:30
11."Falling"Lemoine0:44
12."Where I Live"Lemoine4:26
13."Iron"Lemoine, arranged by Gustave Rudman3:23
14."The Other Side"Lemoine, Héricourt, arranged by Ambroise Willaume3:41

Charts

Certifications

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
Germany (BVMI) [27] Gold100,000
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland) [28] Gold10,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

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