What a Relief is the debut studio album by Katie Gavin, lead singer of indie-pop group Muna, released through Saddest Factory Records. It is a mix of indie pop and folk.
| What a Relief | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Studio album by | |
| Released | October 25, 2024 |
| Studio | Sound City (Los Angeles) |
| Genre | |
| Length | 39:20 |
| Label | Saddest Factory |
| Producer | Tony Berg |
Background
editWritten over the course of seven years, What a Relief comprises a set of songs that Gavin always loved but which "had something in them" that she and her bandmates felt did not quite fit within the universe they were trying to cultivate with Muna. Many of them were written on acoustic guitar.[1]
The album was released on October 25, 2024.[2]
Prior to the album's release, she released three singles "Aftertaste", "Casual Drug Use" and "Inconsolable".[3][4][5][6][7][8]
Track listing
editAll tracks are written by Catherine Gavin; except "Inconsolable" written with Eric Radloff.
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "I Want It All" | 2:46 |
| 2. | "Aftertaste" | 3:24 |
| 3. | "The Baton" | 3:24 |
| 4. | "Casual Drug Use" | 3:11 |
| 5. | "As Good as It Gets" (with Mitski) | 3:02 |
| 6. | "Sanitized" | 4:04 |
| 7. | "Sketches" | 2:51 |
| 8. | "Inconsolable" | 3:32 |
| 9. | "Sparrow" | 3:53 |
| 10. | "Sweet Abby Girl" | 2:56 |
| 11. | "Keep Walking" | 3:06 |
| 12. | "Today" | 2:55 |
| Total length: | 39:20 | |
Personnel
editMusicians
- Katie Gavin – vocals (all tracks), guitar (tracks 1, 9, 12), violin (2, 4), shruti box (2), acoustic guitar (5, 10)
- Geo Botelho – bass (tracks 1, 2, 4, 9, 10, 12)
- Gabe Noel – cello (tracks 1, 7), bass (8)
- Andrea Whitt – pedal steel (tracks 1, 9)
- Josette Maskin – tamburica (tracks 1, 10, 11), guitar (2, 4, 12), bouzouki (2), electric sitar (4), electric guitar (5), acoustic guitar (10), 12-string guitar (11)
- Sarab Singh – drums (tracks 2, 3, 5, 6, 10, 11), percussion (5), tabla (10)
- Benny Bock – synthesizer (tracks 2, 3, 5, 7, 9, 10), pump organ (3), piano (6, 9), Wurlitzer (6), guitar (7), electric birds (9)
- Mason Stoops – guitar (track 2), acoustic guitar (6)
- Nana Adjoa – bass (tracks 3, 5–7, 11)
- Eric Radloff – background vocals (track 3), harmony vocals (10)
- Sara Watkins – fiddle, background vocals (tracks 3, 7)
- Will Maclellan – programming (tracks 4, 5, 7, 10, 12)
- Mitski Miyawaki – vocals (track 5)
- Sean Watkins – guitar, background vocals, mandolin (track 7)
- Tony Berg – Mellotron (track 9), tamburica (11)
- Nate Walcott – trumpet (track 11)
- Harrison Whitford – acoustic guitar (track 11)
Technical
- Tony Berg – production
- Pat Sullivan – mastering
- Will Maclellan – mixing, engineering
- Nana Adjoa – engineering
- Amber Bain – background vocal arrangement (track 4)
Visuals
- Catherine Opie – cover photography
- Moira Barrett – quilt design
- Alexa Terfloth – still life photography, design
- Nick Scott – art direction
Charts
edit| Chart (2024) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Scottish Albums (OCC)[9] | 51 |
| UK Albums Sales (OCC)[10] | 43 |
| UK Americana Albums (OCC)[11] | 7 |
| UK Independent Albums (OCC)[12] | 17 |
References
edit- ^ Maher, Dani (October 30, 2024). "Katie Gavin on self-compassion and going solo". Harper's Bazaar Australia. Retrieved October 31, 2024.
- ^ Strauss, Matthew (July 23, 2024). "Muna's Katie Gavin Announces Debut Solo Album, Shares Video for New Song". Pitchfork. Retrieved October 31, 2024.
- ^ Browning, Maddie (July 23, 2024). "Muna's Katie Gavin announces new solo project ahead of Newport Folk Festival performance". WBUR. Retrieved August 13, 2024.
- ^ Carter, Daisy (July 23, 2024). "Muna's Katie Gavin announces debut solo album What a Relief". DIY. Retrieved August 13, 2024.
- ^ Hudson, Alex. "Muna's Katie Gavin Announces Solo Debut 'What a Relief,' Shares New Single "Aftertaste"". Exclaim!. Retrieved August 13, 2024.
- ^ Paul, Larisha (July 23, 2024). "Katie Gavin Bridges Gap Between Muna and Her Debut Solo LP With 'Aftertaste'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved August 13, 2024.
- ^ "Katie Gavin Share New Song "Casual Drug Use": Listen". Stereogum. August 20, 2024. Retrieved October 4, 2024.
- ^ "Katie Gavin of Muna Shares "Inconsolable" Ahead of Solo Debut". Flood. Retrieved October 4, 2024.
- ^ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 2, 2024.
- ^ "Official Albums Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 2, 2024.
- ^ "Official Americana Albums Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 2, 2024.
- ^ "Official Independent Albums Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 2, 2024.