Unlimited Love | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | April 1, 2022 | |||
Recorded | November 2020 – August 2021 | |||
Studio | Shangri-La (Malibu, California) | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 73:13 | |||
Label | Warner | |||
Producer | Rick Rubin | |||
Red Hot Chili Peppers chronology | ||||
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Singles from Unlimited Love | ||||
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Alternative cover | ||||
Unlimited Love is the twelfth studio album by the American rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers,released through Warner Records on April 1,2022. Produced by Rick Rubin,the album marks the return of guitarist John Frusciante,who left the band in 2009 and rejoined in 2019. A second full studio album, Return of the Dream Canteen ,was recorded during the same sessions and was released on October 14,2022.
The first single,"Black Summer",was released on February 4,2022,and became the Chili Peppers' fourteenth number-one on the Billboard Alternative Songs chart. [2] [3] "These Are the Ways" followed on March 31,2022. [4] A world tour began in June 2022.
Unlimited Love received generally positive reviews. It debuted at number one in 16 countries,including the United States,where it was the Chili Peppers' first number-one album since Stadium Arcadium (2006). [5]
Following the tour for their eleventh album, The Getaway (2016),the Red Hot Chili Peppers began writing their next album with guitarist Josh Klinghoffer. However,singer Anthony Kiedis and bassist Flea,were unhappy with their progress. They wondered if they could involve their former guitarist John Frusciante,who had recorded several albums with the Chili Peppers but left in 2009 and moved into making electronic music. [6] Frusciante said:"Flea had put the idea [of rejoining] in my head and I was sitting there with the guitar thinking that I hadn't written any rock music in so long. Could I still do that?" [6]
On December 15,2019,the Chili Peppers announced that,after 10 years,Frusciante had rejoined,replacing Klinghoffer. [7] In an interview,Klinghoffer said there was no animosity:"It's absolutely John's place to be in that band ... I'm happy that he's back with them." [8] Flea said separating from Klinghoffer had been difficult,but that "artistically,in terms of being able to speak the same [musical] language,it was easier working with John. Getting back into a room and starting to play and letting the thing unfold…was really exciting." [6] After reuniting with Frusciante,at his request,the band played through songs from their first three albums. [9] The drummer,Chad Smith,said Frusciante "wanted to reconnect with the band that he fell in love with”,and Kiedis said the exercise was about getting "back to basics" and playing together without expectations. [10]
On February 8,2020,Frusciante performed with the Chili Peppers for the first time in 13 years,at a memorial service held by the Tony Hawk Foundation for late film producer Andrew Burkle,son of billionaire Ronald Burkle. [11] Shows were scheduled for three festivals that May, [12] but were cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. [13]
After working with Danger Mouse on The Getaway,the Chili Peppers brought in Rick Rubin,who has produced several of their most successful albums. Rubin said seeing their first rehearsal after Frusciante's return made him cry:"It was so thrilling to see that group of people back together because they made such great music for so long and it really hit me in an emotional way." [14]
Rehearsals were halted in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. They resumed in 2021 at Rubin's Shangri-La studio in Malibu,with around 100 new songs to work on. [6] The band recorded almost 50 tracks,with the band intending to release 40 of the tracks as one album,spread over seven physical discs. [15] The band's label,Warner Records,resisted this release strategy,with a "compromise" being reached where the band split thirty-four songs across two separate studio albums. [15] The second album from the Unlimited Love recording sessions, Return of the Dream Canteen ,was released on October 14,2022. [16]
Reviewers described the album as funk rock [17] [18] and alternative rock. [19] [20] NME said it shared the "melancholic riffmaking,anthemic choruses and softly-sung melodies" of Frusciante's previous work with the Chili Peppers,but introduced new "grungey" and acoustic elements. [21]
The Red Hot Chili Peppers announced Unlimited Love on February 4,2022. [22] The first single,"Black Summer",was released on February 4,backed by a music video directed by Deborah Chow. [22] It became the Chili Peppers' fourteenth number-one single on the Billboard charts and their 26th top-ten single on the Alternative Songs chart. [23] [24] The band previewed the new album by releasing "Poster Child" as a promotional single on March 4,backed by a music video directed by Julien &Thami, [25] [26] [27] followed by "Not the One" on March 24. [28] "These Are the Ways",the second single,was released on March 31 with a music video directed by Malia James. [29]
The Chili Peppers performed their first show to promote the album at the Fonda Theatre on April 1. [30] This was followed by performances on Jimmy Kimmel Live! [31] The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon , [32] The Howard Stern Show ,at Amoeba Music and at the Yaamava' Resort &Casino in April [33] [34] [35] and at the New Orleans Jazz &Heritage Festival [36] in May. A scheduled appearance at the Billboard Music Awards was canceled. [37] SiriusXM launched the Whole Lotta Red Hot channel on April 1. The channel features track-by-track commentary on Unlimited Love and an exclusive concert for subscribers later in the year. [38]
On June 4,the Red Hot Chili Peppers began a global stadium tour,starting in Seville,Spain and that will continue into 2023 in support of Return of the Dream Canteen . The shows are supported by acts including the Strokes,A$AP Rocky,Beck,Haim,St. Vincent,Anderson .Paak,Nas,Thundercat,King Princess and Post Malone. [39]
Aggregate scores | |
---|---|
Source | Rating |
AnyDecentMusic? | 6.3/10 [40] |
Metacritic | 71/100 [41] |
Review scores | |
Source | Rating |
AllMusic | [42] |
The A.V. Club | B [43] |
Clash | 9/10 [18] |
Classic Rock | [44] |
Evening Standard | [45] |
Exclaim! | 7/10 [46] |
NME | [47] |
Pitchfork | 6.2/10 [48] |
Rolling Stone | [49] |
Under the Radar | 5/10 [50] |
At Metacritic,which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream publications,Unlimited Love has an average score of 71 based on 20 reviews,indicating "generally favorable reviews". [41]
Brittany Spanos of Rolling Stone gave the album four out of five stars,writing:"more than anything,this record feels like a coming home. There's a certain magic that happens with these four musicians,and Frusciante's absence always leaves a piece of the puzzle missing." [49] Ali Shutler of NME gave the album four out of five stars,writing that "there's a lot to 'Unlimited Love',both in scale and ambition. It’s at once familiar –without being boring –and fresh." [47] Clash rated the album 9/10,with reviewer Isabella Miller describing it as a "celebration of union,friendship,and life,all manifested across 17 tracks." [51] In a glowing review,Paolo Ragusa of Consequence praised the lyrics and musicianship,writing that it is "fascinating to hear a band nearly forty years into their career try to reach their audience in a different way." [52]
Some critics found the album mediocre;Steve Beebee of Kerrang! wrote that "It's a good record;just not a great one...There are,however,way too many tracks that miss their marks,trying to supplant the old energy with wisdom;the magik with maturity." [53] Sam Sodomsky of Pitchfork gave it 6.2 out of 10,saying the band "[balanced] the risk of self-parody with the need to live up to people's nostalgia,knowing they've already written the music they'll be remembered for but still wanting to keep the ride going". [54]
Mark Richardson of the Wall Street Journal said the album lacked energy and purpose,and that it "features their classic sound but little that's new or exciting". [55] Phil Mongredien of The Guardian described the album as "bloated and self-indulgent ... with barely a memorable melody or thought-provoking lyric among its 17 tracks". [56] Ryan Leas of Stereogum found that,aside from some highlights,"the crime of Unlimited Love,with all its weight within RHCP's narrative and all the excitement some might've felt,is that the bulk of the album is just completely unmemorable". [57]
The music video for "Black Summer" won the Best Rock award in the 2022 MTV Video Music Awards and the band was also nominated for Group of the Year. The band now has 30 nominations at the MTV Video Music Awards since 1990 and these are their first nominations since 2006 when they were nominated for "Dani California". The band also received the Global Icon Award and performed at the awards show. [58] [59] [60] [61] They also received a nomination for Best Rock Band at the 2022 MTV Europe Music Awards.
The band was nominated for three American Music Awards for Favorite Rock Album (Unlimited Love),Favorite Rock Song ("Black Summer") and Favorite Rock Artist.
The album was a worldwide commercial success,debuting at number-one in 16 different countries including Argentina,Australia,Austria,Canada,Croatia,France,Germany,Hungary,Ireland,Netherlands,New Zealand,Portugal,Scotland,Switzerland,United Kingdom and United States.
In its home country of the United States,Unlimited Love was the band's second number one on the Billboard 200,and the first since 2006's Stadium Arcadium album selling 97,500 equivalent album units. It marked the longest gap ever between number one albums since Celine Dion waited 17 years and nearly eight months between number one albums. Unlimited Love had the largest week,by equivalent album units and album sales,for any rock album in over a year since Paul McCartney's McCartney III album in January 2021. The sales for Unlimited Love were boosted by various vinyl variants and special editions of the album. The album sold 38,500 copies on vinyl which were the largest sales week for an album on vinyl in 2022 and the second largest sales week for a rock album since 1991. [62]
In the United Kingdom,Unlimited Love debuted at number one,becoming the band's first chart-topper in 11 years since 2011's I'm With You . [63] Unlimited Love sold 27,426 units in its first week,20,989 of which came from physical formats. Digitally,the album sold 2,315 downloads and streamed 4,122 album-equivalent units. [64]
All tracks are written by Anthony Kiedis, Flea, John Frusciante and Chad Smith
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
1. | "Black Summer" | 3:52 |
2. | "Here Ever After" | 3:50 |
3. | "Aquatic Mouth Dance" | 4:20 |
4. | "Not the One" | 4:26 |
5. | "Poster Child" | 5:18 |
6. | "The Great Apes" | 5:01 |
7. | "It's Only Natural" | 5:33 |
8. | "She's a Lover" | 3:41 |
9. | "These Are the Ways" | 3:56 |
10. | "Whatchu Thinkin'" | 3:40 |
11. | "Bastards of Light" | 3:38 |
12. | "White Braids & Pillow Chair" | 3:40 |
13. | "One Way Traffic" | 4:10 |
14. | "Veronica" | 4:28 |
15. | "Let 'Em Cry" | 4:23 |
16. | "The Heavy Wing" | 5:31 |
17. | "Tangelo" | 3:37 |
Total length: | 73:13 |
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
18. | "Nerve Flip" | 3:06 |
Total length: | 76:19 |
Red Hot Chili Peppers
Additional musicians
Production [65]
Imagery
Weekly charts
| Year-end charts
|
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
France (SNEP) [114] | Gold | 50,000‡ |
United Kingdom (BPI) [115] | Silver | 60,000‡ |
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. |
The Red Hot Chili Peppers are an American rock band formed in Los Angeles in 1982, comprising vocalist Anthony Kiedis, bassist Flea, drummer Chad Smith, and guitarist John Frusciante. Their music incorporates elements of alternative rock, funk, punk rock, hard rock, hip hop, and psychedelic rock. Their eclectic range has influenced genres such as funk metal, rap metal, rap rock, and nu metal. With over 120 million records sold worldwide, the Red Hot Chili Peppers are one of the top-selling bands of all time. They hold the records for most number-one singles (15), most cumulative weeks at number one (91) and most top-ten songs (28) on the Billboard Alternative Songs chart. They have won three Grammy Awards, were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2012, and in 2022 received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Blood Sugar Sex Magik is the fifth studio album by American rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers, released on September 24, 1991, by Warner Bros. Records. Produced by Rick Rubin, its musical style differed notably from the band's previous album Mother's Milk (1989), reducing the use of heavy metal guitar riffs and accentuating the melodic songwriting contributions of guitarist John Frusciante. The album's subject matter incorporates sexual innuendos and references to drugs and death, as well as themes of lust and exuberance.
One Hot Minute is the sixth studio album by American rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers, released on September 12, 1995, by Warner Bros. Records. The worldwide success of the band's previous album Blood Sugar Sex Magik (1991) caused guitarist John Frusciante to become uncomfortable with their popularity, eventually quitting mid-tour in 1992. Following a series of short-term replacements, the band hired guitarist Dave Navarro in 1993; it was his only studio album with the band. Recording for the album took place at the Sound Factory in Hollywood from June 1994 to February 1995. It marked the second collaboration between the band and producer Rick Rubin.
Mother's Milk is the fourth studio album by American rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers, released on August 16, 1989 by EMI Records. After the death of founding guitarist Hillel Slovak and the subsequent departure of drummer Jack Irons, vocalist Anthony Kiedis and bassist Flea regrouped with the addition of guitarist John Frusciante and drummer Chad Smith. Frusciante's influence altered the band's sound by placing more emphasis on melody than rhythm, which had dominated the band's previous material. Returning producer Michael Beinhorn favored heavy metal guitar riffs as well as overdubbing. Frusciante perceived Beinhorn's taste as excessive, and as a result, the two constantly fought over the album's guitar sound.
Shadows Collide with People is the fourth studio album by American musician John Frusciante, released February 24, 2004. The album was written during the recording of By the Way (2002) by Frusciante's group Red Hot Chili Peppers and is widely regarded as his most accessible work, featuring a mix of guitar-driven alternative rock, folk ballads, and electronica. Frusciante has stated that this was his most expensive solo album to date, costing around $150,000 to produce, a significant departure from his earlier albums, which had been low-budget and recorded at his home. Frusciante noted, "I was sick and tired of people dismissing my records as being fucked-up and unprofessional."
By the Way is the eighth studio album by the American rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers, released July 9, 2002, on Warner Bros. Records. It sold more than 286,000 copies in its first week, and peaked at number two on the Billboard 200. Singles included "By the Way", "The Zephyr Song", "Can't Stop" and "Universally Speaking". Additionally, "Dosed" was released as a promotional single in the US and Canada. The lyrical subject matter vocalist Anthony Kiedis addresses in By the Way is a divergence from previous Red Hot Chili Peppers albums, with Kiedis taking a more candid and reflective approach to his lyrics.
Greatest Hits is the second greatest hits album and second compilation album by the Red Hot Chili Peppers, released on Nov. 18, 2003, by Warner Bros. Records. Aside from their cover of "Higher Ground", all songs on the album are from the band's tenure on Warner Bros. Records from 1991 to 2002, in addition to two newly recorded songs.
"Under the Bridge" is a song by American rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers and the eleventh track on their fifth studio album, Blood Sugar Sex Magik (1991). It was released in March 1992 by Warner Bros. Records. Vocalist Anthony Kiedis wrote the lyrics while reflecting on loneliness and the struggles of being clean from drugs, and almost did not share it with the band.
Californication is the seventh studio album by U.S. rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers, released on June 8, 1999, on Warner Bros. Records. It was produced by Rick Rubin. Along with Blood Sugar Sex Magik, Californication is one of the band’s best-selling albums.
"Scar Tissue" is the first single from American rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers' seventh studio album, Californication (1999). Released on May 25, 1999, the song spent a then-record 16 consecutive weeks atop the US Billboard Hot Modern Rock Tracks chart as well as 10 weeks atop the Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks chart, and it reached number nine on the Billboard Hot 100. It was also successful in Iceland, New Zealand, and Canada, reaching numbers one, three, and four, respectively. In the United Kingdom, it charted at number 15 on the UK Singles Chart.
Stadium Arcadium is the ninth studio album by American rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers. It was a double-album, first released in Germany on May 5, 2006, and released on May 9, 2006 in the United States on Warner Bros. Records. It produced five singles: "Dani California", "Tell Me Baby", "Snow ", "Desecration Smile" and "Hump de Bump", along with the band's first fan-made music video, for the song "Charlie". In the United States, Stadium Arcadium became the band's first number-one album. Stadium Arcadium was originally scheduled to be a trilogy of albums each released six months apart, but was eventually condensed into a double album.
Since 1983, the American funk rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers has released 13 studio albums, two live albums, 12 compilation albums, 11 video albums, five extended plays, 66 singles, and 53 music videos. To date, the band has sold over 120 million albums worldwide. According to the RIAA the Chili Peppers have 6x Multi-Platinum, 2x Platinum and 3x Gold albums in the US, totalling 27.5m. They also have 9x Multi-Platinum, 3x Platinum and 4x Gold singles too, totalling 40m. They have been nominated for 19 Grammy Awards, of which they have won 6. They have the most no.1 singles (15), the most cumulative weeks at no.1 (91) and most top-10 songs (28) on the Billboard Alternative Songs chart.
The discography of John Frusciante, who is best known as the guitarist of the rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers, consists of thirteen solo albums, two internet only release albums, seven EPs, as well as two albums with collaborators Joe Lally and Josh Klinghoffer under the name Ataxia and two EPs and three studio albums under the alias of Trickfinger. After recording Mother's Milk and Blood Sugar Sex Magik, Frusciante left the Red Hot Chili Peppers in 1992 when he got tired of the growing success of the band. He released his first solo album, Niandra LaDes and Usually Just a T-Shirt, in 1994 on American Recordings. His second record, Smile From the Streets You Hold, was released in 1997 and later taken off the market at his request in 1999. After returning to the Red Hot Chili Peppers in 1998, Frusciante recorded Californication with the band and subsequently released his third solo album, To Record Only Water for Ten Days, in February 2001 on Warner Music Group.
Live at Slane Castle is a Red Hot Chili Peppers concert video released on November 17, 2003, two years after the release of their last concert DVD, Off the Map. The concert, which took place on August 23, 2003, was their first headlining show at Slane Castle in Ireland having previously performed there in August 2001 opening for U2. The show was one of the biggest ever for the band with 80,000 fans in attendance with tickets selling out in under two and a half hours. Foo Fighters also played as one of several supporting acts, and have their own DVD footage of the concert. Other acts supporting on the day included Queens of the Stone Age, PJ Harvey, Feeder and Morcheeba.
I'm with You is the tenth studio album by the American rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers. The album was released by Warner Bros. Records on August 26, 2011, in Europe and on August 29, 2011, in the United States. The album made its debut at number one in 18 countries including the United Kingdom, while reaching number two in the United States and Canada.
The Getaway is the eleventh studio album by American rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers, released through Warner Bros. on June 17, 2016. The band's first studio album since 2011's I'm with You, it was produced by Danger Mouse, who replaced Rick Rubin after 25 years and six albums as the band's producer. This is the band's second and final album with guitarist Josh Klinghoffer before the return of John Frusciante in 2019, with Rubin also returning soon thereafter.
"Black Summer" is a song by American rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers and is the first single from their twelfth studio album, Unlimited Love. The single was released on February 4, 2022, and it was their first song in 16 years to feature guitarist John Frusciante, following his return to the band in 2019.
"These Are the Ways" is a song by American rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers that was released on March 31, 2022, and is the second single from their twelfth studio album, Unlimited Love.
Return of the Dream Canteen is the thirteenth studio album by the American rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers, released on October 14, 2022, through Warner Records as a double LP and single CD. Produced by Rick Rubin, it was recorded during the same sessions as the band's previous studio album, Unlimited Love, released earlier in 2022.