Material (Blaqk Audio album)

Material
Studio album by Blaqk Audio
Released	April 15, 2016
Recorded	2015
Genre	Electronic New wave
Length	43:18
Label	Blaqknoise/Kobalt Records
Blaqk Audio chronology
Bright Black Heaven (2012) Material (2016)
Singles from Material
"Anointed" Released: 19 February 2016

Material is the third studio album by American electronica band Blaqk Audio, side project of Davey Havok and Jade Puget of AFI. it was released on April 15, 2016^[1] under Blaqknoise/Kobalt Records.^[2] The first single from the album, "Anointed", was released on January 26 for streaming through SoundCloud^[3] and through digital retailers on February 19.

Background

Material for the album was written throughout 2014 and was recorded in 2015. Material was originally planned for a release in 2015.^[4] Havok has said that the album is lyrically "darker than our records of the past." Music sequencer Ableton Live was used in production of the album.^[2]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[5]
Rock Sound	7/10[6]
Rolling Stone Australia	[7]

The album received generally positive reviews from mainstream critics. Neil Yeung, from AllMusic, gave a positive review: "Since their debut in 2007, Blaqk Audio -- the electronic outlet for AFI's Davey Havok and Jade Puget -- have toyed with the dance sounds and dark tones of new wave".^[5] Tomas Doyle, from Rock Sound, also gave a positive review, stating that "the skill and ease of songwriting the duo bring to the table is a delight".^[6]

Sally McMullen, from Rolling Stone, gave the album a mixed-positive review. She wrote, "The record embodies a seamless fluidity as energetic electro masks some of the more forlorn lyrics on the likes of "I'm a Mess" and "You Will Hate Me". There's a hint of familiarity as Havok's clean vocals soar on "First to Love" and the title track, but the absence of his signature scratchy growl can be unnerving."^[7]

Track listing

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Waiting to Be Told"	3:46
2.	"First to Love"	3:43
3.	"Ceremonial (Burst into Stars)"	4:29
4.	"Anointed"	4:27
5.	"To Be Alone"	3:22
6.	"Black at the Center"	3:45
7.	"Curious Friends"	4:53
8.	"Graphic Violence"	4:14
9.	"I'm a Mess"	3:39
10.	"Material"	3:13
11.	"You Will Hate Me"	3:48
Total length:		43:18

Personnel

• Davey Havok – lead vocals, primary lyricist, production
• Jade Puget – keyboards, synthesizer, programming, backing vocals, primary composer, production

References

1. "Material by Blaqk Audio on iTunes". Retrieved 24 February 2016.
2. "AFI’s Davey Havok and Jade Puget Return With Blaqk Audio; New Album ‘Material’ Drops April 15th". Iconvsicon. 19 February 2016. Retrieved 24 February 2016.
3. "Anointed by Blaqk Audio". Retrieved 24 February 2016.
4. Mendoza, Brent X (28 January 2015). "Davey Havok Storms the Sunset Strip With New Project XTRMST". The Sunset Strip. Retrieved 24 February 2016.
5. Yeung, Neil. "Material - Blaqk Audio". AllMusic.
6. Tomas, Doyle. "BLAQK AUDIO – ‘MATERIAL’". Rock Sound.
7. McMullen, Sally. "Blaqk Audio – Material". Rolling Stone Australia.