Electric Sun is the eleventh studio album by the Irish alternative electronic band VNV Nation. It was released on April 28, 2023, in Europe under Anachron Sounds and in America under Metropolis.[1] VNV Nation released two singles for the album, those being “Before the Rain” on February 21, 2023[2] and “Wait” on April 14, 2024, with “Wait” receiving its own music video, making it the second official VNV Nation music video.[3]
| Electric Sun | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 28 April 2023 | |||
| Recorded | 2022 | |||
| Studio | Anachron, Hamburg | |||
| Genre | Electropop, synthpop, futurepop, industrial | |||
| Length | 63:32 | |||
| Label |
| |||
| Producer | Ronan Harris | |||
| VNV Nation chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Electric Sun | ||||
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Background
editThe release of the album had been planned for March but was delayed to April 14, 2023, which was then delayed to April 28, 2023.[4] VNV Nation's reasoning for the delayed release was because of, “unforseen global supply-chain, energy, and labour related shortages that had seriously affected European based production towards late 2022 and the first months of 2023”.[5]
Promotion
editTour
editIn April 2022, VNV Nation announced the Electric Sun tour alongside the album, which started in Denmark on February 23, 2023, and ended in Glasgow on May 28, 2023.[6][7]
On June 13, 2023, a North American leg of the Electric Sun tour was officially announced, starting in Detroit on October 4, 2023, and ending in Mexico City on October 31, 2023.[8][9]
Due to several cancellations throughout the 2023 leg, a 2024 leg was announced and made up the final dates of the Electric Sun tour, starting in Tampa on March 29, 2024, and ending in Las Vegas on April 27, 2024.[10]
The tour was generally well received by critics, with most praise going towards the lighting and the “high energy” performance of both the touring band and Ronan Harris.[11][12][13]
Marketing
editElectric Sun was also released in multiple formats, including LP, CD, and digital versions. A limited edition mediabook CD and a special gold vinyl edition were also made available, including exclusive content such as a 28-page booklet with artwork, lyrics, and liner notes.[14]
Reception
edit"Electric Sun" was met with extremely positive reviews from critics upon its release. AllMusic highlighted the album's blend of electronic and industrial elements, noting that it showcased VNV Nation's ability to evolve their sound while maintaining their core aesthetic".[15] Scene Point Blank appreciated the album's thematic depth and strong production values, emphasizing its cohesive and engaging tracks".[16] Reflections of Darkness praised the album's dynamic range and emotional impact, emphasizing its blend of orchestral elements and electronic beats.[17] Synthpop Fanatic commended the album for its powerful lyrics and atmospheric production, describing it as a standout in VNV Nation's discography.[18]
Track listing
editAll tracks are written by Ronan Harris
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Electric Sun" | 6:44 |
| 2. | "Before the Rain" | 4:45 |
| 3. | "The Game" | 4:15 |
| 4. | "Invictus" | 4:34 |
| 5. | "Artifice" | 4:56 |
| 6. | "In the Temple" | 4:46 |
| 7. | "Prophet" | 5:42 |
| 8. | "Wait" | 7:27 |
| 9. | "At Horizon's End" | 5:29 |
| 10. | "Run" | 6:24 |
| 11. | "Sunflare" | 5:33 |
| 12. | "Under Sky" | 2:57 |
| Total length: | 63:32 | |
Personnel
editVNV Nation
- Ronan Harris – vocals, programming, mixing
Other assistance
- Benjamin Mundigler – vocal tracking assistant
- Benjamin Lorenz – mixing and mastering
- Andre Winter – additional production on 2, 4, 5, 8, 9
Charts
edit| Chart (2023) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria)[19] | 54 |
| German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[20] | 4 |
| Scottish Albums (OCC)[21] | 98 |
References
edit- ^ "Electric Sun, by VNV Nation".
- ^ "VNV Nation explore the cosmos in "Before the Rain"". synthpopfanatic.com. February 19, 2023.
- ^ "Watch VNV Nation's second ever music video, "Wait"". synthpopfanatic.com. April 14, 2023.
- ^ "Electric Sun delayed for two weeks". synthpopfanatic.com. February 5, 2023.
- ^ "ABOUT THE ALBUM "ELECTRIC SUN"". vnvnation.com.
- ^ "NEW ALBUM & TOUR IN FEBRUARY 2023". vnvnation.com.
- ^ "The new VNV Nation album "Electric Sun" will be released on April 14th. A series of singles will be released before then, starting in mid-February". youtube.com. February 5, 2023.
- ^ "VNV Nation announces 2023 North American tour dates". synthpopfanatic.com. June 13, 2023.
- ^ "VNV Nation returns to Mexico in 2023 with Actors". summainferno.com. August 4, 2023.
- ^ "VNV Nation launches extra North American tour dates with Traitrs". side-line.com. March 27, 2024.
- ^ "Ayrton Cobra beams for VNV Nation's Electric Sun European tour". lightsoundjournal.com. May 15, 2023.
- ^ "Live Review: VNV Nation - Oberhausen 2023". reflectionsofdarkness.com. April 12, 2023.
- ^ "VNV Nation 4/25 Observatory OC Show Review". upthepunxmag.com.
- ^ "VNV Nation – Electric Sun". discogs.com.
- ^ "Electric Sun". AllMusic. Retrieved July 29, 2024.
- ^ "VNV Nation Electric Sun Anachron Sounds (2023)". scenepointblank.com.
- ^ "CD Review: VNV Nation - Electric Sun". reflectionsofdarkness.com. January 8, 2024.
- ^ "VNV Nation rejects salvation on 11th album, Electric Sun". synthpopfanatic.com. May 2, 2023.
- ^ "Austriancharts.at – VNV Nation – Electric Sun" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved 21 May 2023.
- ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – VNV Nation – Electric Sun" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved 21 May 2023.
- ^ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 24 July 2024.
