| Chronicles of a Diamond | |
| Type: | studio |
| Artist: | Black Pumas |
| Cover: | Black Pumas - Chronicles of a Diamond.png |
| Length: | 42:53 |
| Label: | ATO |
| Producer: | Adrian Quesada |
| Prev Title: | Black Pumas |
| Prev Year: | 2019 |
Chronicles of a Diamond is the second studio album by American band Black Pumas, released on October 27, 2023, through ATO Records.[1] It was produced by group member Adrian Quesada, co-produced by fellow member Eric Burton and John Congleton, and mixed by Shawn Everett. The album was preceded by the lead single "More Than a Love Song".[2] [3]
On August 24, 2023, Black Pumas announced the release of Chronicles of a Diamond, along with the first single More Than a Love Song.[4]
Eric Burton acknowledged that while the band were "under pressure" with their second album, it was still "a fun process and very cathartic as well" and "feels more like a second debut". With Chronicles of a Diamond, Burton stated that he "had a lot more to do with the creation of the music outside of lyrics and melody" than the band's debut.[5]
The first single from the album, More Than a Love Song, featured at number 1 on Billboard's Adult Alternative Airplay.[6] Consequence of Sound described the single as a song "built on a jangly groove and fleshed out with some orchestral strings, bold electric guitar riffs, and a gospel choir."[7]
Chronicles of a Diamond received a score of 76 out of 100 on review aggregator Metacritic based on ten critics' reviews, indicating "generally favorable" reception. Mojo commented that "the production ideas and songs, however smart, won't change the world; they will, however, prompt large swathes to sing along". Clashs Emma Harrison called it a "cross-cultural heavenly palette of starry-eyed soul, psychedelic rock, jazz funk and symphonic pop" as well as "the most expansive expression yet of Black Pumas' frenetic creativity and limitless vision to date".
Thomas Smith of NME described it as "a more realised offering to the world and exceeds their debut album" and observed that "you can't help but hear Burton's confidence growing across the album's running time, his potential still untapped and with room to grow". Uncut felt that "while the material is frequently just serviceable, the arrangements are inspired thanks to the virtuosic interplay of JaRon Marshall's gilded piano, Brendan Bond's percolating basslines and Quesada's sizzling solos". Glide Magazines Ryan Dillon opined that it is "bursting with colorful experimentation and pure musicianship that showcases a diversity that wasn't present on their debut".[8]
Black Pumas
Additional Personnel
Technical
| Peak position | |
| Hungarian Physical Albums (MAHASZ)[9] | 19 |
|---|---|