Mommy (album)
| Mommy | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | August 25, 2023 | |||
| Length | 35:47 | |||
| Label | Third Man | |||
| Producer | Jeremy Ferguson | |||
| Be Your Own Pet chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Singles from Mommy | ||||
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Mommy is the third full-length studio album by American punk/garage rock band Be Your Own Pet, released August 25, 2023 via Third Man Records. Mommy marks the group's first recorded material in almost fifteen years following the release of their second studio album, Get Awkward and subsequent break-up in 2008.[1]
The album was preceded by four singles, "Hand Grenade", "Worship the Whip", "Goodtime!" and "Big Trouble" released March 30, May 31, June 28, and July 26, 2023 respectively. [2][3][4][5]
Background[edit]
Following a fourteen-year hiatus, Be Your Own Pet reunited in 2021 after lead singer, Jemina Pearl and guitarist, Jonas Stein were convinced by Pearl's husband and Third Man Records co-owner, Ben Swank to reconnect on a personal level with each other after many years without communication since the band's tumultuous split in 2008. Swank also expressed the idea of re-releasing the group's first two full-length's, 2006's self-titled and 2008's Get Awkward through Third Man Records as a part of a retrospective series for the label. The idea prompted Pearl in reaching out to remaining members, bassist Nathan Vasquez and drummer John Eatherly about a reunion, which was agreed to under the condition that new music would be created.[6]
At the end of 2021, upon discovering the group was active once again Swank's business partner, American musician and songwriter, Jack White expressed interest in having Be Your Own Pet as one of the opening acts on a few select dates of his 2022 North American Supply Chain Issues Tour. The band would serve as support acts during the New York, Atlanta and Nashville shows of the tour and mark as the band's live debut performances since their break up, with the former taking place at Barclays Center on April 21. 2022.[7]
Following the tour, the band would spend the rest of 2022, writing and recording material for their third studio album at Battle Tapes Recording in Nashville with longtime collaborator, engineer and producer, Jeremy Ferguson.[8]
Critical reception[edit]
| Aggregate scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Metacritic | 83/100[9] |
| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| The Arts Desk |   [10] |
| DIY |  [11] |
| The Line of Best Fit | 7/10[12] |
| Slant Magazine | [13] |
| Uncut | 8/10[14] |
Mommy received a score of 83 out of 100 on review aggregator Metacritic based on eleven critics' reviews, indicating "universal acclaim" reception.[9] Uncut remarked that the band are "bummed to learn that adulthood breeds more angst than adolescence, which inspires a sharp-edged '70s hard rock, with songs celebrating kink and demanding equal pay and full-body autonomy on 'Big Trouble'".[14] DIY's Joe Goggins stated that "the ferocious energy that defined Be Your Own Pet first time around, however, remains, as does their knack for a nagging earworm of a chorus. Searing hooks and soaring melodies channel through a frontwoman with limitless charisma".[11]
Track listing[edit]
All tracks are written by Jemina Abegg, John Eatherly, Jonas Stein, and Nathan Vasquez.
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Worship the Whip" | 3:01 |
| 2. | "Goodtime!" | 2:48 |
| 3. | "Erotomania" | 2:06 |
| 4. | "Bad Mood Rising" | 3:30 |
| 5. | "Never Again" | 2:23 |
| 6. | "Pleasure Seeker" | 3:52 |
| 7. | "Rubberist" | 4:30 |
| 8. | "Big Trouble" | 3:05 |
| 9. | "Hand Grenade" | 2:57 |
| 10. | "Drive" | 3:27 |
| 11. | "Teenage Heaven" | 4:08 |
| Total length: | 35:47 | |
Personnel[edit]
Be Your Own Pet
- John Eatherly – drums, percussion, backing vocals, production
- Jemina Pearl – vocals, production
- Jonas Stein – guitar, backing vocals, production
- Nathan Vasquez – bass guitar, backing vocals, production
Additional contributors
- Jeremy Ferguson – production, mixing, engineering
- Bill Skibbe – mastering
- Jordan Williams – design
- Marzena Abrahamik – photography
Charts[edit]
| Chart (2023) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| UK Album Downloads (OCC)[15] | 83 |
| UK Independent Albums (OCC)[16] | 10 |
References[edit]
- ^ "Be Your Own Pet Announce New Album Mommy Share New Single/Video for "W" – Third Man Records – Official Store". thirdmanrecords.com.
- ^ Krol, Charlotte (March 30, 2023). "Be Your Own Pet share the explosive 'Hand Grenade', their first song in 15 years". NME.
- ^ Trageser, Stephen (March 30, 2023). "Be Your Own Pet Returns With 'Hand Grenade'". Nashville Scene.
- ^ "Be Your Own Pet Announce First New Album In 15 Years: Hear "Worship The Whip"". May 31, 2023.
- ^ "Be Your Own Pet Share New Song "Goodtime!": Listen". 28 June 2023.
- ^ "Be Your Own Pet Reunite for First Shows in 14 Years. Jemina Pearl Talks How It Happened and What's Next". Pitchfork. March 16, 2022.
- ^ Anderson, Carys (March 15, 2022). "Be Your Own Pet are reuniting to open for Jack White".
- ^ "Selected Discography | Battle Tapes Recording".
- ^ a b "Mommy by Be Your Own Pet Reviews and Tracks". Metacritic. Retrieved August 24, 2023.
- ^ Amour, Cheri (August 19, 2023). "Album: Be Your Own Pet - Mommy". The Arts Desk. Retrieved August 23, 2023.
- ^ a b Goggins, Joe (August 23, 2023). "Be Your Own Pet – Mommy review". DIY. Retrieved August 24, 2023.
- ^ Yarbrough, Will (August 22, 2023). "Be Your Own Pet: Mommy Review – same bark and bite this time with more intent". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved August 24, 2023.
- ^ Barrett, Fred (August 21, 2023). "Be Your Own Pet Mommy Review: Hopped-up Rock 'n' Roll Posturing". Slant Magazine. Retrieved August 24, 2023.
- ^ a b "Be Your Own Pet – Mommy". Uncut. September 2023. p. 23.
- ^ "Official Album Downloads Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved September 1, 2023.
- ^ "Official Independent Albums Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved September 1, 2023.