Marauder (Interpol album)

Marauder is the sixth studio album by American rock band Interpol. It was released on August 24, 2018, by Matador Records.[1] The album was produced by Dave Fridmann and recorded at his studio, Tarbox Road, in Cassadaga, New York from December 6, 2017 through April 18, 2018.[2][3]

Marauder
Studio album by
ReleasedAugust 24, 2018 (2018-08-24)
RecordedDecember 6, 2017 – April 18, 2018
StudioTarbox Road (Cassadaga, New York)
Genre
Length44:19
LabelMatador
ProducerDave Fridmann
Interpol chronology
El Pintor
(2014)
Marauder
(2018)
A Fine Mess
(2019)
Singles from Marauder
  1. "The Rover"
    Released: June 7, 2018
  2. "Number 10"
    Released: July 30, 2018
  3. "If You Really Love Nothing"
    Released: August 23, 2018

Three singles were released from the album: "The Rover" on June 7, "Number 10" on July 30, and "If You Really Love Nothing" on August 23.[4]

Background

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Interpol singer and guitarist Paul Banks revealed in a September 2016 Beats 1 interview that the band would resume writing music in the fall of 2016.[5] They later began holding rehearsal sessions in October.[6] In January 2017, they officially announced that their sixth studio album would be released in 2018 on Matador Records.[7] They took a break from recording the album later in the year so they could commence the anniversary tour for their 2002 debut album, Turn on the Bright Lights.[8] The tour lasted from August to October 2017.[9] They resumed work on the album afterward. In May 2018, it was revealed by the band that the album was in its mastering stage.[10]

During the anniversary tour for Turn on the Bright Lights in late 2017 the band included the song "Real Life" in their encore setlist. Although it was the first song written for the album, the song wasn't included in the final cut.[11] On May 24, 2018, the name of the album was leaked by Pitchfork when it was accidentally included in their list "The Pitchfork Guide to New Albums: Summer 2018". The album's listing was subsequently removed.[12] In June, the band began posting a set of cryptic images on social media. One of the images featured a mural with coordinates printed on it, with the image being captioned "maybe it's time"; these coordinates would lead to Mexico City. They also posted a link to an RSVP page for an event in Mexico City taking place on June 7 at 9:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. CDT.[13][14][15]

Fridmann insisted on recording Marauder on two-inch tape, a rarity for modern albums, most of which are recorded digitally. Fridmann said: "It's a very different mentality as a musician, when you need to nail the take instead of asking the producer to fix it later." Guitarist Daniel Kessler said: "We liked that we weren't being overly precious with making the perfect guitar take. It was a raw record-making experience."[16]

Release

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The album was released on August 24, 2018. Music videos were shot for two of the three singles: "The Rover" and "If You Really Love Nothing". The music video for "The Rover" was directed by Gerardo Naranjo and was shot on location in Mexico City over the course of four days. The music video depicts the titular character as he attracts his first followers and begins to build a cult.[17] The music video for "If You Really Love Nothing" was simpler, directed by Hala Matar and starring Kristen Stewart and Finn Wittrock. It was shot at a nightclub in Los Angeles and follows a young woman as she interacts with people in the club and steals items.[18]

The album's cover art features a photo of the former U.S. attorney general Elliot Richardson taken by photographer Garry Winogrand. Banks explained the choice of image in an interview,[19] referring to Richardson as a heroic figure, with the photo reflecting both the strength and isolation of the protagonist.

Critical reception

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Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
AnyDecentMusic?7.0/10[20]
Metacritic73/100[21]
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic     [22]
The A.V. ClubB[23]
The Guardian     [24]
The Independent     [25]
Mojo     [26]
NME     [27]
Pitchfork6.1/10[28]
Q     [29]
Rolling Stone     [30]
Uncut6/10[31]

Marauder received positive reviews from critics. On review aggregator site Metacritic, the album holds an average critic score of 73 out of 100, based on 25 reviews.[21] A preview article in Q said that the album was "a continuation of the trio's ever-so-subtle shape-shifting, each new LP adding a fresh dynamic coat to their atmospheric indie-rock".[3] The album was heavily criticized for its production, however, with Ian Cohen of Pitchfork saying, "[The] new producer doesn’t help energize their increasingly frozen-in-time sound."[32]

Accolades

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The album was included in several best-albums-of-2018 year-end lists: #11 in Q's,[33] #21 in Rough Trade's,[34] #33 in Fopp's,[35] #39 in The Independent's,[36] #44 in Uproxx's,[37] and #100 in NME's.[38][39]

Track listing

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All tracks are written by Interpol (Paul Banks, Sam Fogarino, Daniel Kessler)

Marauder track listing
No.TitleLength
1."If You Really Love Nothing"4:25
2."The Rover"3:37
3."Complications"3:54
4."Flight of Fancy"3:51
5."Stay in Touch"4:53
6."Interlude 1"1:01
7."Mountain Child"3:08
8."NYSMAW"3:16
9."Surveillance"4:13
10."Number 10"3:12
11."Party's Over"3:39
12."Interlude 2"1:03
13."It Probably Matters"4:07
Total length:44:19

Personnel

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Personnel adapted from album credits.[40]

Charts

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Chart performance for Marauder
Chart (2018) Peak
position
Australian Albums (ARIA)[41] 26
Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria)[42] 18
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)[43] 8
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia)[44] 6
Canadian Albums (Billboard)[45] 36
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)[46] 16
Finnish Physical Albums (Suomen virallinen lista)[47] 5
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[48] 6
Irish Albums (OCC)[49] 14
Italian Albums (FIMI)[50] 22
Portuguese Albums (AFP)[51] 10
Scottish Albums (OCC)[52] 5
Spanish Albums (PROMUSICAE)[53] 6
Swedish Vinyl Albums (Sverigetopplistan)[54] 5
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)[55] 13
UK Albums (OCC)[56] 6
UK Independent Albums (OCC)[57] 1
US Billboard 200[58] 23
US Independent Albums (Billboard)[59] 4
US Top Alternative Albums (Billboard)[60] 3
US Top Rock Albums (Billboard)[61] 3
US Top Tastemaker Albums (Billboard)[62] 2

Release history

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Release history and formats for Marauder
Region Date Format Label Catalog no.
Various August 24, 2018 CD Matador OLE-1124-2
12-inch vinyl (standard edition) OLE-1124-1
12-inch vinyl (indie store exclusive) OLE-1124-0
12-inch vinyl (Matador store exclusive) OLE-1124-8
OLE-1124-6

References

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  1. ^ "Marauder by Interpol". Matador Records. Retrieved June 7, 2018.
  2. ^ Fridmann, Dave. "Dave Fridmann/Tarbox News". davefridmann.com. Archived from the original on November 16, 2016. Retrieved June 8, 2018.
  3. ^ a b Doherty, Niall (June 5, 2018). "Interpol prepare for lift-off". Q. pp. 14–15. Retrieved June 6, 2018.
  4. ^ "Kristen Stewart Stars in Interpol's Video for New Song "If You Really Love Nothing": Watch". Pitchfork. 23 August 2018. Retrieved August 23, 2018.
  5. ^ "Watch "Will Interpol be back?! - Paul Banks of Banks & Steelz" posted by Ebro Darden on Apple Music". Itunes.apple.com. Retrieved June 7, 2018.
  6. ^ Interpol [@Interpol] (October 30, 2016). "Pretty good rehearsal today. Sam crushed it.-DK" (Tweet). Retrieved June 7, 2018 – via Twitter.
  7. ^ Luke Morgan Britton (January 24, 2017). "Interpol confirm due date for next album". NME. Retrieved June 7, 2018.
  8. ^ Pearce, Sheldon (January 23, 2017). "Interpol Announce Turn On the Bright Lights Anniversary Tour". Pitchfork. Retrieved June 7, 2018.
  9. ^ Kaye, Ben (May 1, 2017). "Interpol announce US dates for Turn on the Bright Lights 15th anniversary tour". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved June 7, 2018.
  10. ^ Skinner, Tom (May 9, 2018). "Looks like Interpol's new record is almost finished". NME. Retrieved June 7, 2018.
  11. ^ Collini, Eleonora (August 14, 2018). "Interpol // Interview". London in Stereo. Retrieved August 22, 2018.
  12. ^ Wicks, Amanda; Kim, Michelle; Blais-Billie, Braudie; Yoo, Noah; Bloom, Madison (May 24, 2018). "The Pitchfork Guide to New Albums: Summer 2018". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on May 24, 2018. Retrieved May 24, 2018.
  13. ^ Murray, Robin (June 6, 2018). "Interpol Are Planning... Something". Clash. Retrieved June 7, 2018.
  14. ^ Maine, Samantha (June 6, 2018). "Interpol say "maybe it's time" while posting details of a mysterious event". NME. Retrieved June 7, 2018.
  15. ^ Kim, Michelle; Strauss, Matthew (June 6, 2018). "Interpol Tease Mysterious Mexico City Event". Pitchfork. Retrieved June 7, 2018.
  16. ^ "How Interpol transcended rock nostalgia and made its best album in years". Newsweek. 16 August 2018.
  17. ^ "Watch Interpol's Cinematic "The Rover" Music Video". 10 July 2018.
  18. ^ "Kristen Stewart and Finn Wittrock star in Interpol's edgy new video for 'If You Really Love Nothing'". NME. 23 August 2018.
  19. ^ "Interpol explore the inner Marauder on their upcoming album â€" interview". The Independent. 2018-07-10. Retrieved 2019-01-19.
  20. ^ "Marauder by Interpol reviews". AnyDecentMusic?. Retrieved September 2, 2019.
  21. ^ a b "Marauder by Interpol Reviews and Tracks". Metacritic. Retrieved August 30, 2018.
  22. ^ Phares, Heather. "Marauder – Interpol". AllMusic. Retrieved August 27, 2018.
  23. ^ Rife, Katie (August 24, 2018). "Interpol, Marauder". The A.V. Club. Retrieved August 27, 2018.
  24. ^ Petridis, Alexis (August 23, 2018). "Interpol: Marauder review – New York nihilists escape the noughties". The Guardian. Retrieved September 4, 2018.
  25. ^ Bray, Elisa; O'Connor, Roisin (August 23, 2018). "Album reviews: White Denim – Performance; Interpol – Marauder". The Independent. Retrieved May 31, 2019.
  26. ^ Segal, Victoria (September 2018). "Soft power". Mojo (298): 87.
  27. ^ Tandrell, Andrew (August 24, 2018). "Interpol – 'Marauder' review". NME. Retrieved December 16, 2019.
  28. ^ Cohen, Ian (August 27, 2018). "Interpol: Marauder". Pitchfork. Retrieved August 27, 2018.
  29. ^ Barton, Laura (September 2018). "Kings of New York". Q (389): 108–09.
  30. ^ Grow, Kory (August 24, 2018). "Review: Interpol Clone Some Old Tricks on 'Maurader'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved April 11, 2019.
  31. ^ Wray, Daniel Dylan (September 2018). "Interpol: Marauder". Uncut (256): 32.
  32. ^ Cohen, Ian (August 27, 2018). "Interpol: Marauder". Pitchfork. Retrieved August 27, 2018.
  33. ^ "Q: Top 50 Albums of 2018". www.yearendlists.com. 2018-12-18. Retrieved 2024-10-16.
  34. ^ Pearis, Bill (November 13, 2018). "Rough Trade Shops' Top 100 LPs of 2018". Brooklyn Vegan. Retrieved October 16, 2024.
  35. ^ fopp (2018-11-22). "best albums of 2018". Fopp - the best music, films, books + tech at low prices. Retrieved 2024-10-16.
  36. ^ "The 40 best albums of 2018". The Independent. 2018-12-19. Retrieved 2024-10-16.
  37. ^ "The 50 Best Albums Of 2018". UPROXX. 2018-12-03. Retrieved 2024-10-16.
  38. ^ NME (2018-12-17). "NME's Albums Of The Year 2018". NME. Retrieved 2024-10-16.
  39. ^ "Interpol - Marauder - Reviews - Album of the Year". albumoftheyear.org. 2018. Retrieved October 16, 2024.
  40. ^ Matador Records (2018). Marauder (album liner notes). Interpol. Matador Records.
  41. ^ "Australiancharts.com – Interpol – Marauder". Hung Medien. Retrieved October 15, 2023.
  42. ^ "Austriancharts.at – Interpol – Marauder" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved September 6, 2018.
  43. ^ "Ultratop.be – Interpol – Marauder" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved August 31, 2018.
  44. ^ "Ultratop.be – Interpol – Marauder" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved August 31, 2018.
  45. ^ "Interpol Chart History (Canadian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved September 5, 2018.
  46. ^ "Dutchcharts.nl – Interpol – Marauder" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved August 31, 2018.
  47. ^ "Interpol – Suomen virallinen lista". Musiikkituottajat. Retrieved January 25, 2023.
  48. ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Interpol – Marauder" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved August 31, 2018.
  49. ^ "Official Irish Albums Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved September 1, 2023.
  50. ^ "Italiancharts.com – Interpol – Marauder". Hung Medien. Retrieved October 15, 2023.
  51. ^ "Portuguesecharts.com – Interpol – Marauder". Hung Medien. Retrieved September 10, 2018.
  52. ^ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved September 4, 2018.
  53. ^ "Spanishcharts.com – Interpol – Marauder". Hung Medien. Retrieved October 15, 2023.
  54. ^ "Veckolista Vinyl, vecka 35, 2018". Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved May 27, 2021.
  55. ^ "Swisscharts.com – Interpol – Marauder". Hung Medien. Retrieved September 5, 2018.
  56. ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved September 1, 2018.
  57. ^ "Official Independent Albums Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 23, 2022.
  58. ^ "Interpol Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved September 5, 2018.
  59. ^ "Interpol Chart History (Independent Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved September 10, 2018.
  60. ^ "Interpol Chart History (Top Alternative Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved September 10, 2018.
  61. ^ "Interpol Chart History (Top Rock Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved September 10, 2018.
  62. ^ "Interpol Chart History (Top Tastemaker Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved September 10, 2018.