Humble as the Sun
| Humble as the Sun | ||||
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 5 April 2024 | |||
| Studio |
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| Length | 34:42 | |||
| Label | Ghost Theatre | |||
| Producer |
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| Bob Vylan chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Humble as the Sun | ||||
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Humble as the Sun is the third studio album by London-based duo Bob Vylan, released on 5 April 2024 through Ghost Theatre. It received acclaim from critics.
Critical reception[edit]
| Aggregate scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AnyDecentMusic? | 8.1/10[1] |
| Metacritic | 82/100[2] |
| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| Clash | 8/10[3] |
| Classic Rock | 8/10[4] |
| DIY |   [5] |
| MusicOMH | [6] |
| NME |  [7] |
| Uncut | [8] |
Humble as the Sun received a score of 82 out of 100 on review aggregator Metacritic based on eight critics' reviews, indicating "universal acclaim".[2] Classic Rock stated that "Bob Vylan have become the loudest, most vital voice of righteous rage in a beaten-down nation",[4] while Uncut felt that "The charisma, charm, galvanising dynamism and radical positivity of frontman Bobbie, aka Pascal Robinson-Foster, works better on stage than in the studio; even so, his hilarious takedowns of Marx-quoting armchair revolutionaries and Brexit-voting Top Gear fans reveal a sharp, self-aware wit behind the headbanging polemic."[8]
DIY's Lisa Wright felt that the album "largely ups the pace, from the electronic, Prodigy-nodding beats of 'Reign' to the prowling punk of 'Dream Big'", writing that the "purposeful shift in perspective nonetheless tweaks the message from aggression to defiance".[5] Jazz Hodge of Clash called the duo "an inspiration to anyone fortunate enough to listen to their music" as they have "a confidence to say what needs to be said". opining that the album "couldn't have come at a more important time".[3]
MusicOMH's John Murphy called it "a huge step up" as "every track on this album grabs the listener and demands attention" with "simmering anger bubbling throughout [...] which makes it one of the most compelling releases of the year".[6] Aliya Chaudhry of NME found that the album "broadens the duo's musical scope" and its "variety keeps things interesting, but it also allows the duo to flex their musical muscles" as "they've traded in some of their previous blistering punk for a more relaxed pace on certain tracks, but without sacrificing any intensity".[7]
Track listing[edit]
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Humble as the Sun" | 4:10 |
| 2. | "Reign" | 4:46 |
| 3. | "GYAG (Get Yourself a Gun)" | 3:20 |
| 4. | "Dream Big" | 3:05 |
| 5. | "Hunger Games" | 3:40 |
| 6. | "Right Here" | 2:49 |
| 7. | "Makes Me Violent" | 3:19 |
| 8. | "He's a Man" | 2:38 |
| 9. | "Ring the Alarm" | 3:11 |
| 10. | "I'm Still Here" | 3:44 |
| Total length: | 34:42 | |
Personnel[edit]
Musicians
- Bobby Vylan – lead vocals (all tracks); guitar, bass (tracks 1, 3–7, 9); live drums (3, 5), background vocals (7); additional guitars, programming (8); organ (9)
- Jonny Breakwell – organ (track 1), programming (2), additional vocals (3), piano (7, 9), background vocals (7)
- Mikey Sorbello – live drums (tracks 1, 10)
- Hannah Koppenburg – piano, Rhodes (track 1)
- Jerub – additional vocals (track 1)
- Andy Gangadeen – live drums (tracks 2, 6)
- Kelechi Okafor – additional vocals (track 2)
- Luke Pickering – programming (track 3)
- Adam Betts – live drums (tracks 4, 7, 10)
- Vylan Kids Choir – additional vocals (track 4)
- Tim Bazell – live drums, additional guitars (track 5)
- Rex Roulette – additional guitars (tracks 5, 7); guitar, bass (10)
- Henri Davies – programming (track 5)
- Jorge "Saucy" Felizardo – background vocals (track 7)
- Laurie Vincent – guitar, bass (track 8)
Technical
- Bobby Vylan – production (tracks 1–7, 9), recording (all tracks)
- Laurie Vincent – production, recording (track 8)
- Rex Roulette – production, recording (track 10)
- Jonny Breakwell – mixing (all tracks), co-production (tracks 1-9), recording (1, 2, 4, 6-10)
- Kevin Tuffy – mastering
- Luke Pickering – recording (track 3)
- Tim Bazell – recording (track 5)
- Henri Davies – additional production (track 5)
- Adam Beer – recording assistance (tracks 2, 4, 6–9)
Visuals
- Bobby Vylan – art direction
- KJ Price – cover photo
Charts[edit]
| Chart (2024) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Scottish Albums (OCC)[9] | 11 |
| UK Albums (OCC)[10] | 22 |
| UK Independent Albums (OCC)[11] | 3 |
| UK R&B Albums (OCC)[12] | 1 |
References[edit]
- ^ "Humble As The Sun by Bob Vylan reviews". AnyDecentMusic?. Retrieved 10 April 2024.
- ^ a b "Humble as the Sun by Bob Vylan Reviews and Tracks". Metacritic. Retrieved 9 April 2024.
- ^ a b Hodge, Jazz (2 April 2024). "Bob Vylan – Humble as the Sun | Reviews". Clash. Retrieved 9 April 2024.
- ^ a b "Bob Vylan – Humble as the Sun". Uncut. May 2024. p. 78.
- ^ a b Wright, Lisa. "Bob Vylan – Humble as the Sun review". DIY. Retrieved 9 April 2024.
- ^ a b Murphy, John (7 April 2024). "Bob Vylan – Humble as the Sun | Album Reviews". MusicOMH. Retrieved 9 April 2024.
- ^ a b Chaudhry, Aliya (8 April 2024). "Bob Vylan – Humble as the Sun review: electrifying, experimental and empowering". NME. Retrieved 9 April 2024.
- ^ a b "Bob Vylan – Humble as the Sun". Uncut. April 2024. p. 31.
- ^ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 13 April 2024.
- ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 12 April 2024.
- ^ "Official Independent Albums Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 13 April 2024.
- ^ "Official R&B Albums Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 13 April 2024.