Bolted (album)
| Bolted | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 20 October 2023 | |||
| Recorded | 2022–2023 | |||
| Length | 41:24 | |||
| Label | Ninja Tune | |||
| Producer | Matthew Barnes | |||
| Forest Swords chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Bolted | ||||
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Bolted is the third studio album by British electronic music artist Forest Swords. It was released on 20 October 2023 through Ninja Tune. The album is his first studio release in over six years, following Compassion (2017).
Background and singles[edit]
Before he began working on the record, the musician spent a few years writing music for ballets, films and video games.[1] Barnes recorded the album from 2022 to 2023 at a warehouse factory space in his hometown Liverpool.[2] While putting the record together, he was coping with "psychedelic amounts of pain" from a leg injury.[3] Barnes announced the project on 5 September 2023.[4] He is set to embark on a tour through Europe promoting the album in November 2023.[5]
His first single in five years titled "Butterfly Effect" was released on 11 July 2023. It features a previously unreleased vocal sample of Swedish-British singer Neneh Cherry. The song arrived with a b-side called "Tar". The second single, "The Low", was originally intended for American singer Yoko Ono and combines elements of both the start and the end of the album.[6] It wraps up the main sentiments he had when writing for the record.[7] An accompanying music video directed by Sam Wiehl elaborates on the visual direction of the record.[8]
Reviews[edit]
The album has received strong reviews including 9/10 from The Line Of Best Fit website, 82% from Beats Per Minute website, a review calling it "absolutely phenomenal" by The Quietus, 4/5 from Mojo, 4/5 from All Music and a review stating the album has "an undeniable sense of grandeur that will take your breathe away" from Electronic Sound. [9][10][11][12]
Track listing[edit]
All lyrics are written by Matthew Barnes, except "Butterfly Effect", written by Neneh Cherry; all music is composed by Matthew Barnes
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Munitions" | 3:44 |
| 2. | "Butterfly Effect" | 3:31 |
| 3. | "Rubble" | 3:56 |
| 4. | "Night Sculpture" | 3:26 |
| 5. | "Caged" | 4:32 |
| 6. | "Tar" | 1:32 |
| 7. | "The Low" | 3:38 |
| 8. | "Chain Link" | 3:43 |
| 9. | "Hjope" | 3:10 |
| 10. | "End" | 4:13 |
| 11. | "Line Gone Cold" | 5:59 |
| Total length: | 41:24 | |
Personnel[edit]
- Matthew Barnes – production, mixing, art direction
- Matt Colton – mastering
Charts[edit]
| Chart (2023) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| UK Album Downloads (OCC)[13] | 47 |
| UK Dance Albums (OCC)[14] | 4 |
| UK Independent Albums (OCC)[15] | 40 |
References[edit]
- ^ "Fact Selects: Forest Swords – 'The Low'". Fact. 5 September 2023. Retrieved 10 September 2023.
- ^ Pappis, Konstantinos (5 September 2023). "Forest Swords Announces New Album 'Bolted', Shares New Songs". Our Culture Mag. Retrieved 10 September 2023.
- ^ Corcoran, Nina (11 July 2023). "Forest Swords Shares Video for First New Song in 5 Years: Watch". Pitchfork. Retrieved 10 September 2023.
- ^ Kelly, Tyler Damara (5 September 2023). "Forest Swords announces his first album in six years, Bolted". Line of Best Fit. Retrieved 10 September 2023.
- ^ Murray, Robin (5 September 2023). "Forest Swords Announces New Album 'Bolted'". Clash. Retrieved 10 September 2023.
- ^ Rettig, James (5 September 2023). "Forest Swords – "The Low" & "Caged"". Stereogum. Retrieved 10 September 2023.
- ^ Strauss, Matthew (5 September 2023). "Forest Swords Announces First Album Since 2017, Shares New Video: Watch". Pitchfork. Retrieved 10 September 2023.
- ^ Renshaw, David (5 September 2023). "Forest Swords announces new album, shares two tracks". The Fader. Retrieved 10 September 2023.
- ^ "Forest Swords: Bolted Review - impactful pilgrimage | Indie".
- ^ "Album Review: Forest Swords – Bolted". 23 October 2023.
- ^ "The Quietus | Reviews | Forest Swords".
- ^ "Forest Swords - Bolted Album Reviews, Songs & More | AllMusic". AllMusic.
- ^ "Official Album Downloads Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 28 October 2023.
- ^ "Official Dance Albums Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 28 October 2023.
- ^ "Official Independent Albums Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 28 October 2023.