''Suddenly'' is the tenth studio album by Canadian musician
Dan Snaith, released under the moniker Caribou by
Merge Records and
City Slang
City Slang is an independent record label based in Berlin, Germany.
History
The label was founded in 1990 by former tour agent Christof Ellinghaus, exclusively to release The Flaming Lips' '' In A Priest Driven Ambulance (With Silver Sunshine S ...
on February 28, 2020. It is Snaith's fifth album as Caribou, and his first since ''
Our Love'' (2014).
Background and recording
Snaith had approximately 900 "draft ideas" for the album that he cut down to 12 complete tracks.
The album's themes include the nature and constant evolution of relationships with family and friends.
Snaith named the album ''Suddenly'' because of his daughter's "obsession with the word".
Critical reception
Tom Sloman of ''
DIY'' stated that the album "continues Caribou's knack of releasing albums that are both accessible and explorative".
Seth Wilson of ''
Slant Magazine
''Slant Magazine'' is an American online publication that features reviews of movies, music, TV, DVDs, theater, and video games, as well as interviews with actors, directors, and musicians. The site covers various film festivals like the New York ...
'' wrote that "What makes the album so spectacular, though, is Snaith's voice. This is the first Caribou effort on which he sings on every track, and his vocals are mixed higher than they have been in the past. Throughout, his mesmerizing vocals elevate songs that might otherwise scan as banal." Wilson also felt that "The album rewards
..reference-spotting, and it's a treat to listen to the way such a masterful musician mines his own record collection for inspiration."
Reviewing the album for ''
NME'', Thomas Smith felt that "Your history with Snaith's catalogue will dictate which elements of 'Suddenly' are most intriguing. The more experimental and unsettling elements will reward longtime stans, while recent converts will be just as thrilled with its party-starting exuberance."
Writing for ''
Resident Advisor
''Resident Advisor'' (also known as ''RA'') is an online music magazine and community platform dedicated to showcasing electronic music, artists and events across the globe. It was established in 2001. ''RA''s editorial team provides news, musi ...
'', Carlos Hawthorn called the album a "slight pivot away from the dance floor" that "has its ravey moments, but overall there's less chugging and thudding and more of a focus on songwriting. The energy swings wildly from zany pop and Technicolor house to tender ballads with no beat." He ultimately judged the album to be a "frustrating listen. Snaith's talent for writing earworms, hooks and choruses has never been so apparent. But overall he sounds like he's trying too hard, taking influence from too many places."
The album won the
Juno Award
The Juno Awards, more popularly known as the JUNOS, are awards presented annually to Canadian musical artists and bands to acknowledge their artistic and technical achievements in all aspects of music. New members of the Canadian Music Hall of ...
for
Electronic Album of the Year at the
Juno Awards of 2021.
[Holly Gordon and Andrea Warner]
"Here are the 2021 Juno Award winners"
CBC Music
CBC Music (formerly known as CBC FM, CBC Stereo and CBC Radio 2) is a Canadian FM radio network operated by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. It used to concentrate on classical and jazz. In 2007 and 2008, the network transitioned towards a ...
, June 4, 2021.
Accolades
Track listing
Charts
References
{{Authority control
2020 albums
Dan Snaith albums
Merge Records albums
City Slang albums
Juno Award for Electronic Album of the Year albums