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. It received acclaim from critics, and reached number 10 on the UK Albums Chart.
Critical reception
Seeking New Gods received a score of 85 out of 100 on review aggregator Metacritic based on 11 critics' reviews, indicating "universal acclaim". Uncut wrote, "here are nine songs that confidently mix Station to Station piano, Beach Boys harmonies, Kosmische guitar and even free jazz". Mojo stated that "Rhys excels at holding anxiety and unease up to the light without becoming harsh; Seeking New Gods keeps that balance beautifully".
Track listing
Personnel Credits are adapted from the CD liner notes.
Musicians Gruff Rhys – vocals, electric and acoustic guitars, synthesisers, Multibau, arrangement Kliph Scurlock – drums, arrangement Steve Black – bass, arrangement Osian Gwynedd – piano, synthesisers, arrangement Lisa Jên, Mirain Hâf – additional vocal harmonies and arrangements Gavin Fitzjohn – brass and arrangements
Technical and design Gruff Rhys – production Mario Caldato Jr. – mixing at Amor, Los Angeles Robert Carranza – mastering (except track 3) Jason Mitchell – mastering at Loud (3) Kliph Scurlock – file management, compiling, and final mastering at Stiwdio Leckwith, Cardiff Ali Chant – recording at Playpen, Bristol (1–2, 9) Jon Russo – recording at Rancho de la Luna, Joshua Tree, California (3–8) Llion Robertson – recording of additional vocal overdubs in Cardiff Mark James – art direction, design
Charts +Chart performance for Seeking New Gods Chart (2021) Peakposition
References