The Big Decider
| The Big Decider | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 26 April 2024 | |||
| Studio | Abbey Road, London, UK | |||
| Length | 35:31 | |||
| Label | Icepop | |||
| Producer | ||||
| The Zutons chronology | ||||
| ||||
The Big Decider is the fourth studio album by English rock band the Zutons, released on 26 April 2024 through Icepop. It is the band's first album in 16 years, following You Can Do Anything (2008), their disbandment the following year, and reformation in 2018. The album was produced by Ian Broudie and Nile Rodgers and was promoted with a tour of the UK in early 2024.[1] It received generally positive reviews from critics.
Critical reception[edit]
| Aggregate scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Metacritic | 80/100[2] |
| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| Clash | 8/10[3] |
| Classic Rock | 7/10[4] |
| Mojo |   [5] |
| MusicOMH |  [6] |
The Big Decider received a score of 80 out of 100 on review aggregator Metacritic based on four critics' reviews, which the website categorised as "generally favorable" reception.[2] Classic Rock felt that the album "sees the Zutons back to their happy clapping playful best",[4] while Mojo called it "uplifting, rueful and expertly crafted".[5]
Emma Harrison of Clash described it as "a real statement of intent" as well as "an absolute suckerpunch of an album which reflects the love and chemistry the band and the collaborators have for each other".[3] Ben Hogwood of MusicOMH wrote that the nine songs display "the band's leaner approach, but they show that McCabe's eye for a memorable song remains", but "their songs are not – yet – quite as memorable as those from the band’s first iteration".[6]
Track listing[edit]
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Creeping on the Dancefloor" | 4:29 |
| 2. | "Pauline" | 3:57 |
| 3. | "Water" | 3:36 |
| 4. | "In Your Arms" | 3:43 |
| 5. | "Disappear" | 5:06 |
| 6. | "Company" | 3:59 |
| 7. | "The Big Decider" | 3:28 |
| 8. | "Rise" | 3:55 |
| 9. | "Best of Me" | 3:18 |
| Total length: | 35:31 | |
Personnel[edit]
The Zutons
- Dave McCabe – lead vocals and guitar
- Abi Harding – saxophone and vocals
- Sean Payne – drums and vocals
Charts[edit]
| Chart (2024) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Scottish Albums (OCC)[7] | 8 |
| UK Albums (OCC)[8] | 7 |
| UK Independent Albums (OCC)[9] | 1 |
References[edit]
- ^ Dunworth, Liberty (14 November 2023). "The Zutons announce first album in 16 years, produced by Nile Rodgers and Ian Broudie". NME. Retrieved 1 May 2024.
- ^ a b "The Big Decider by the Zutons". Metacritic. Retrieved 1 May 2024.
- ^ a b Harrison, Emma (26 April 2024). "The Zutons – The Big Decider". Clash. Retrieved 1 May 2024.
- ^ a b "The Zutons – The Big Decider". Classic Rock. June 2024. p. 79.
- ^ a b "The Zutons – The Big Decider". Mojo. June 2024. p. 89.
- ^ a b Hogwood, Ben (27 April 2024). "The Zutons – The Big Decider | Album Reviews". MusicOMH. Retrieved 1 May 2024.
- ^ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 4 May 2024.
- ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 3 May 2024.
- ^ "Official Independent Albums Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 4 May 2024.