Seeking New Gods is the seventh studio album by Welsh musician Gruff Rhys, released on 21 May 2021 under Rough Trade Records. The album was inspired by Paektu Mountain, a volcano on the border of China and North Korea.[1] It received acclaim from critics, and reached number 10 on the UK Albums Chart.

Seeking New Gods
A snow-capped volcano surrounded by pink wavy clouds
Studio album by
Released21 May 2021 (2021-05-21)
Length42:14
LabelRough Trade
ProducerGruff Rhys
Gruff Rhys chronology
Pang!
(2019)
Seeking New Gods
(2021)
Sadness Sets Me Free
(2024)

Critical reception

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Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic85/100[1]
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic     [2]
Clash7/10[3]
Mojo     [4]
MusicOMH     [5]
Pitchfork7.6/10[6]
Uncut9/10[7]

Seeking New Gods received a score of 85 out of 100 on review aggregator Metacritic based on 11 critics' reviews, indicating "universal acclaim".[1] Uncut wrote, "here are nine songs that confidently mix Station to Station piano, Beach Boys harmonies, Kosmische guitar and even free jazz".[7] Mojo stated that "Rhys excels at holding anxiety and unease up to the light without becoming harsh; Seeking New Gods keeps that balance beautifully".[4]

Track listing

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Seeking New Gods track listing
No.TitleLength
1."Mausoleum of My Former Self"4:53
2."Can't Carry On"3:37
3."Loan Your Loneliness"5:21
4."Seeking New Gods"5:10
5."Hiking in Lightning"3:24
6."Holiest of the Holy Men"4:42
7."The Keep"4:23
8."Everlasting Joy"5:10
9."Distant Snowy Peaks"5:34
Total length:42:14

Charts

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Chart performance for Seeking New Gods
Chart (2021) Peak
position
Scottish Albums (OCC)[8] 8
UK Albums (OCC)[9] 10
UK Independent Albums (OCC)[10] 3

References

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  1. ^ a b c "Seeking New Gods by Gruff Rhys Reviews and Tracks". Metacritic. Retrieved 26 January 2024.
  2. ^ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Gruff Rhys – Seeking New Gods Album Review". AllMusic. Retrieved 26 January 2024.
  3. ^ Murray, Robin (20 May 2021). "Gruff Rhys – Seeking New Gods". Clash. Retrieved 26 January 2024.
  4. ^ a b "Gruff Rhys: Seeking New Gods". Mojo. June 2021. p. 83.
  5. ^ Hogwood, Ben (22 May 2021). "Gruff Rhys – Seeking New Gods | Album Reviews". MusicOMH. Retrieved 26 January 2024.
  6. ^ Schonfeld, Zach (25 May 2021). "Gruff Rhys: Seeking New Gods Album Review". Pitchfork. Retrieved 26 January 2024.
  7. ^ a b "Gruff Rhys: Seeking New Gods". Uncut. June 2021. p. 31.
  8. ^ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 26 January 2024.
  9. ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 26 January 2024.
  10. ^ "Official Independent Albums Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 26 January 2024.