Blue Electric Light is the twelfth studio album by American rock musician Lenny Kravitz. It was released on May 24, 2024, by Roxie Records with distribution handled by BMG Rights Management. The album was preceded by the release of the lead single "TK421" on October 13, 2023.
| Blue Electric Light | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | May 24, 2024 | |||
| Length | 55:24 | |||
| Label |
| |||
| Producer | Lenny Kravitz | |||
| Lenny Kravitz chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Singles from Blue Electric Light | ||||
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [2] |
| i | [3] |
| The Independent | [4] |
| Mojo | [5] |
| musicOMH |  [6] |
| laut.de | [7] |
| Louder Sound | [8] |
| Record Collector | [citation needed] |
| Rolling Stone (de) | [9] |
| WYSO | B[10] |
Background
editBlue Electric Light is Kravitz's first album since Raise Vibration (2018).[11] Kravitz recorded the album in his studio in the Bahamas and played most of the instruments himself with frequent collaborator Craig Ross contributing.[12]
The album was originally scheduled to be released on March 15, 2024. However, Kravitz moved the release date to May 24, 2024 due to his commitments to honoring the legacy of Bayard Rustin.[13]
Singles
editThe album's lead single, "TK421", was released simultaneously with the album announcement alongside its music video.[14]
"Human" was released on March 22, 2024. It premiered on The Tonight Show.[15]
Reception
editPaul Moody of Louder Sound called the album "A typically diverse collection pulsating with positive energy".[8] Stephen Thomas Erlewine of AllMusic mentioned "Stylistically, Kravitz may not be trying anything new, but his decision to prioritize good vibes above all else generates an unusually satisfying record from the rocker."[2] Greg Simms Jr. of WYSO commented, "It's the funkiest album I've ever heard from him. While Kravitz doesn't go full D'Angelo, he does give us a collection of songs that lean more towards modern pop and R&B than his usual fare. This LP is also a dedication to Prince (the two men were close friends). You can hear Kravitz's nods to His Royal Badness in several cuts on the album, like the ballad "Stuck in the Middle"."[10] Nina Athanasopoulos of The Daily Illini wrote, "Overall, Kravitz's latest album is a generally predictable, yet fun project. While the album is lacking self and social awareness, Kravitz continues to strut his leather pants and open shirts, and one can't help but love him for his consistency."[16]
Track listing
editAll lyrics are written by Lenny Kravitz, except "Bundle of Joy" and "Heaven" with lyrics by Kravitz and Tony LeMans; all music is composed by Lenny Kravitz, except "It's Just Another Fine Day (In This Universe of Love)" and "Paralyzed" composed by Kravitz and Craig Ross.
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "It's Just Another Fine Day (In This Universe of Love)" | 6:19 |
| 2. | "TK421" | 5:27 |
| 3. | "Honey" | 3:50 |
| 4. | "Paralyzed" | 4:28 |
| 5. | "Human" | 4:27 |
| 6. | "Let It Ride" | 3:35 |
| 7. | "Stuck in the Middle" | 5:10 |
| 8. | "Bundle of Joy" | 5:06 |
| 9. | "Love Is My Religion" | 3:47 |
| 10. | "Heaven" | 4:49 |
| 11. | "Spirit in My Heart" | 4:33 |
| 12. | "Blue Electric Light" | 3:53 |
| Total length: | 55:24 | |
Personnel
editMusicians
- Lenny Kravitz – lead vocals, backing vocals (all tracks); bass (tracks 1–5, 7–10), strings (1–3), Moog (1, 2, 5, 6, 8, 10–12), 11), timpani (1), drums (2–4, 8, 9), rhythm guitar (2, 3, 7–11), claps (2, 9, 10), electric guitar (3–5, 12); electric piano, Mellotron (3); bongo drums, maracas (4); synthesizer (5, 6, 8–12), drum machine (5, 7, 10–12), cowbell (5, 8); chimes, Fender Rhodes piano (5); drum programming (6), piano (7, 9); Hammond B3 organ, sitar (7); solo guitar (9), lead guitar (10); castanets, claves (11); programming (12)
- Craig Ross – rhythm guitar (tracks 1, 2, 10), electric guitar (1, 4), lead guitar (1, 8, 10), programming (1, 11), drum machine (1), solo guitar (5, 9), drums (6); 12-string guitar, acoustic guitar, tambura (11)
- Alex Alvarez – programming (tracks 1, 3–11), synthesizer (2)
- Harold Todd – saxophone (tracks 2, 3)
- Michael Sherman – saxophone (track 3)
- Trombone Shorty – trombone, trumpet (track 10)
Technical
- Lenny Kravitz – production, engineering
- Adam Grover – mastering
- Alex Alvarez – engineering
- Bernie Grundman – mastering
- Craig Ross – engineering
Charts
edit| Chart (2024) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australian Albums (ARIA)[17] | 84 |
| Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria)[18] | 4 |
| Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)[19] | 17 |
| Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia)[20] | 4 |
| Croatian International Albums (HDU)[21] | 19 |
| Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)[22] | 17 |
| French Albums (SNEP)[23] | 7 |
| German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[24] | 5 |
| Hungarian Albums (MAHASZ)[25] | 40 |
| Italian Albums (FIMI)[26] | 13 |
| Japanese Digital Albums (Oricon)[27] | 19 |
| Japanese Hot Albums (Billboard Japan)[28] | 62 |
| Polish Albums (ZPAV)[29] | 8 |
| Portuguese Albums (AFP)[30] | 57 |
| Scottish Albums (OCC)[31] | 10 |
| Spanish Albums (PROMUSICAE)[32] | 16 |
| Swedish Physical Albums (Sverigetopplistan)[33] | 4 |
| Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)[34] | 2 |
| Swiss Albums (Romandy)[35] | 1 |
| UK Albums (OCC)[36] | 73 |
| UK Independent Albums (OCC)[37] | 3 |
| US Top Album Sales (Billboard)[38] | 11 |
| US Independent Albums (Billboard)[39] | 47 |
Release history
edit| Region | Date | Format(s) | Label | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Various | May 24, 2024 | [40] |
References
edit- ^ "Lenny Kravitz Honey". The 360 Mag. October 25, 2024. Retrieved October 28, 2024.
- ^ a b "Blue Electric Light - Lenny Kravitz | Album | AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 7 June 2024.
- ^ Power, Ed (24 May 2024). "On Blue Electric Light, Lenny Kravitz is a rock 'n' roll Zoolander". inews.co.uk. Retrieved 8 June 2024.
- ^ Brown, Helen (23 May 2024). "Lenny Kravitz, Blue Electric Light review: Any sense of individuality is concealed by generalities, platitudes – and cowbells". The Independent. Retrieved 12 June 2024.
- ^ Blake, Mark (July 2024). Filter Albums: Lenny Kravitz – Blue Electric Light. Mojo. p. 92.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link) - ^ Horton, Ross (23 May 2024). "Lenny Kravitz - Blue Electric Light | Album Reviews". musicOMH. Retrieved 7 June 2024.
- ^ Kause, Philipp. "Wohlfühl-Loops im leuchtenden Blau der Bahamas-Küsten" (in German). laut.de. Retrieved 8 June 2024.
- ^ a b Moody, Paul (24 May 2024). "Out now: Lenny Kravitz's sings of love and libido on Blue Electric Light". Louder Sound. Retrieved 7 June 2024.
- ^ Von Jenni, Zykla (24 May 2024). "Lenny Kravitz :: "Blue Electric Light"". Rolling Stone (in German). Retrieved 12 June 2024.
- ^ a b Simms Jr., Greg (4 June 2024). "(Kinda) New Album Reviews: Lenny Kravitz- 'Blue Electric Light'". WYSO. Retrieved 8 June 2024.
- ^ Okazawa, Ben. "Lenny Kravitz Announces Double LP Blue Electric Light, Shares Lead Single". Exclaim!. Retrieved October 19, 2023.
- ^ Redfern, Mark. "Lenny Kravitz Announces New Album, Shares NSFW Video for New Song "TK421"". Under the Radar. Retrieved October 19, 2023.
- ^ Kravitz, Lenny [@LennyKravitz] (January 18, 2024). "It has been an extraordinary journey dedicating my time and efforts to #RoadtoFreedom and the profound legacy of #BayardRustin. The opportunity to share and celebrate his inspiring story is long overdue, and I am committed to dedicating the time and energy required to do justice to his legacy and this crucial chapter of our history. In light of this, I have decided to postpone the release of my upcoming single and album to ensure an authentic and meaningful celebration of Rustin's incredible legacy. My next single, #Human, will be here on March 15, and my album, #BlueElectricLight, will now be released on May 24. I deeply appreciate your understanding and love during this pivotal moment. More love, more music, stay tuned. 💙⚡ 📸: Laurie Lynn Stark" (Tweet). Retrieved February 4, 2024 – via Twitter.
- ^ Rettig, James (October 12, 2023). "Lenny Kravitz Goes Nude In NSFW Video For "TK421"". Stereogum. Retrieved October 19, 2023.
- ^ "Watch Lenny Kravitz Premiere Inspirational Single 'Human' on 'Fallon'". Rolling Stone. March 21, 2024. Retrieved March 23, 2024.
- ^ Athanasopoulos, Nina (25 May 2024). "Review | Lenny Kravitz's new album "Blue Electric Light" is soulfully predictable". The Daily Illini. Retrieved 8 June 2024.
- ^ "The ARIA Report: Week Commencing 3 June 2024". The ARIA Report. No. 1787. Australian Recording Industry Association. June 3, 2024. p. 6.
- ^ "Austriancharts.at – Lenny Kravitz – Blue Electric Light" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved June 5, 2024.
- ^ "Ultratop.be – Lenny Kravitz – Blue Electric Light" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved June 2, 2024.
- ^ "Ultratop.be – Lenny Kravitz – Blue Electric Light" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved June 2, 2024.
- ^ "Lista prodaje 26. tjedan 2024" (in Croatian). HDU. July 3, 2024. Archived from the original on July 3, 2024. Retrieved July 7, 2024.
- ^ "Dutchcharts.nl – Lenny Kravitz – Blue Electric Light" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved June 1, 2024.
- ^ "Top Albums (Week 22, 2024)". Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved June 3, 2024.
- ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Lenny Kravitz – Blue Electric Light" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved May 31, 2024.
- ^ "Album Top 40 slágerlista – 2024. 23. hét" (in Hungarian). MAHASZ. Retrieved June 13, 2024.
- ^ "Italiancharts.com – Lenny Kravitz – Blue Electric Light". Hung Medien. Retrieved June 12, 2024.
- ^ "Oricon Top 50 Digital Albums: June 3, 2024" (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved May 29, 2024.
- ^ "Billboard Japan Hot Albums – Week of May 29, 2024". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). Retrieved May 29, 2024.
- ^ "OLiS - oficjalna lista sprzedaży - albumy" (in Polish). OLiS. Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry. Note: Change the date to 24.05.2024–30.05.2024 under "zmień zakres od–do:". Retrieved June 6, 2024.
- ^ "Portuguesecharts.com – Lenny Kravitz – Blue Electric Light". Hung Medien. Retrieved June 12, 2024.
- ^ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 1, 2024.
- ^ "Spanishcharts.com – Lenny Kravitz – Blue Electric Light". Hung Medien. Retrieved June 12, 2024.
- ^ "Veckolista Album Fysiskt, vecka 22". Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved May 31, 2024.
- ^ "Swisscharts.com – Lenny Kravitz – Blue Electric Light". Hung Medien. Retrieved June 2, 2024.
- ^ "Les charts de la Suisse romande". Retrieved 18 June 2024.
- ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 31, 2024.
- ^ "Official Independent Albums Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 1, 2024.
- ^ "Lenny Kravitz Chart History (Top Album Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved June 5, 2024.
- ^ "Lenny Kravitz Chart History (Independent Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved June 5, 2024.
- ^ Citations concerning Blue Electric Light release formats:
- "Blue Electric Light Standard CD Album". Lenny Kravitz Official Online Store.
- "Blue Electric Light Deluxe CD Album". Lenny Kravitz Official Online Store.
- "Blue Electric Light Standard Double Black LP". Lenny Kravitz Official Online Store.
- "Blue Electric Light by Lenny Kravitz on Apple Music". Apple Music.
