The Vandalist is the third studio album by Israeli singer-songwriter Noga Erez and her first major label release, with Neon Gold Records and Atlantic Records.[3] The album features a number of collaborations with artists such as Robbie Williams, Eden Ben Zaken, Ravid Plotnik, Dillom and Flyana Boss.[4] The album was released on September 20, 2024.
| The Vandalist | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
.png) | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | September 20, 2024 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 44:55 | |||
| Language |
| |||
| Label | ||||
| Producer |
| |||
| Noga Erez chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Singles from Kids | ||||
| ||||
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Musikexpress |   [1] |
| Uncut | 8/10[2] |
Background
editAccording to Erez, the album, which has satirical themes, is an attempt to "not to take it all so seriously, whether the devastating state of the world , social media, work or relationships".[5]
Recording and composition of the album included five months in Madrid in Spain. After a day of recording, Erez and Rousso would return home to watch classic films and feel inspired, attempting to bring that inspiration into the music.[3] The track "Godmother" was inspired from watching the Godfather trilogy in Madrid. They recorded the song months later in New York City and also used an Indian film sample.[3]
They were also inspired by the reggaeton that they were hearing in Spain. Through an Argentine national they were introduced to the Argentine rapper, Dillom, and recorded "Ayayay" with him.[3]
The album's first single, "PC People" is a tongue-in-cheek take on the extremes of woke and cancel culture. Erez urges fellow liberals of the need for an "an authentic exchange of ideas and dialogue."[4]
Initially the album was going to focus on themes of relationships and love. Erez changed focus and "Come Back Home" was one of the few to retain the theme. Erez since sees the context and meaning of the song having changed in the context of the 7 October Hamas-led attack on Israel, as Israeli families await the return of their loved ones, amid the Israel-Hamas War and the Israel–Hamas war hostage crisis.[4]
The collaboration with Robbie Williams came about following the pair's performance together at Williams' concert in Tel Aviv in June 2023 and Williams being a fan of Erez.[6]
The making of the album was documented in the upcoming yesDOCU documentary, Noga. The film, directed by Benji and Jono Bergmann, delves into producing an album amid complex personal and geopolitical challenges.[7]
Track listing
editAll tracks are written by Noga Erez with others noted. All tracks are produced by Ori Rousso with others noted.
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "The Vandalist" |
|
| 3:28 |
| 2. | "Dumb" | 2:16 | ||
| 3. | "PC People" (featuring Rousso) |
| 3:11 | |
| 4. | "Come Back Home" |
|
| 2:39 |
| 5. | "A+" (featuring Ravid Plotnik) | 2:46 | ||
| 6. | "Ayayay" (featuring Dillom) |
| 2:59 | |
| 7. | "Smiling Upside Down" | 3:17 | ||
| 8. | "Hey, Hi" | 0:17 | ||
| 9. | "Sad Generation, Happy Pictures" (featuring Flyana Boss) |
| 3:27 | |
| 10. | "Nogastein" | 2:41 | ||
| 11. | "Godmother" (featuring Eden Ben Zaken) | Rousso | 3:11 | |
| 12. | "Police" | 3:02 | ||
| 13. | "P.L.E.A.S.E." | 2:47 | ||
| 14. | "Danny" (featuring Robbie Williams) | 3:49 | ||
| 15. | "Mind Show" | 3:08 | ||
| 16. | "Oh, Thank You!" | 1:39 | ||
| Total length: | 44:55 | |||
Charts
edit| Chart (2024) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[8] | 34 |
References
edit- ^ Jenny Mansch (September 20, 2024), "Album Der Woche: Noga Erez – The Vandalist", Musikexpress (in German), retrieved October 11, 2024
- ^ Wyndham Wallace, "Noga Erez – The Vandalist", Uncut, no. 331 (November 2024), p. 34
- ^ a b c d "I'm proud of how uncompromising it is": Noga Erez on Her Monster Alt-Pop Album, The Vandalist Atwood Magazine. 20 September 2024
- ^ a b c Noga Erez Breaks Down New Album The Vandalist Track by Track: Exclusive Consequence. 20 September 2024
- ^ 18 Questions With Noga Erez 1883 Magazine. 20 September 2024
- ^ Robbie Williams bonds with Noga Erez ahead of Tel Aviv show The Times of Israel. 1 June 2023
- ^ CoPro Israel Sets Industry Events, Documentary Slate Including Films About Sigmund Freud, Noga Erez and Oct. 7 (Exclusive) Variety. 15 May 2024
- ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Noga Erez – The Vandalist" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved September 27, 2024.