Folkocracy Explained

Folkocracy
Type:studio
Artist:Rufus Wainwright
Cover:Folkocracy.jpeg
Genre:Folk, Americana[1]
Length:60:50
Label:BMG
Producer:Mitchell Froom
Prev Title:Rufus Does Judy at Capitol Studios
Prev Year:2022

Folkocracy is a studio album by Rufus Wainwright, released by BMG on June 2, 2023.[2] [3] [4]

Composition

Folkocracy was produced by Mitchell Froom. Guests on the album include Anohni, Andrew Bird, David Byrne, Brandi Carlile, Sheryl Crow, Madison Cunningham, Susanna Hoffs, Chaka Khan, John Legend, Anna McGarrigle, Van Dyke Parks, Nicole Scherzinger, Chris Stills, and Chaim Tannenbaum.[5]

Promotion

"Down in the Willow Garden" served as the lead single. "Heading for Home" was the second single released.[6] "Harvest" was released as the third single soon after.

A video for "Twelve-Thirty (young girls are coming to the canyon)", a short promotional video for "Hush Little Baby" and a live performance video in the studio of "Alone" were released as well in June and July 2023.

Over the summer, the album was promoted by the Folkocracy tour, on which most of the album was performed live with a band that included Rufus' sister, Lucy Wainwright Roche.

Reception

Pitchfork rated the album 7.3 out of 10.[7]

Personnel

Musicians

Technical

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Rufus Wainwright on His 'Blatant' Grammy-Bait New Album 'Folkocracy,' Released 25 Years After His Debut . June 2, 2023 . June 3, 2023 . June 3, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230603153729/https://variety.com/2023/music/news/rufus-wainwright-folkocracy-jon-brion-mitchell-froom-1235626787/ . live .
  2. Web site: Murray . Robin . 2023-03-07 . Rufus Wainwright Details New Album 'Folkocracy' News . 2023-03-07 . . en-GB . 2023-03-07 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230307162206/https://www.clashmusic.com/news/rufus-wainwright-details-new-album-folkocracy/ . live .
  3. Web site: 2023-03-07 . Rufus Wainwright Announces New Covers Album Feat. David Byrne, Anohni, Chaka Khan, & More . 2023-03-07 . . en . 2023-03-07 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230307162219/https://www.stereogum.com/2216046/rufus-wainwright-covers-album-david-byrne-anohni-chaka-khan/music/ . live .
  4. Web site: Liebig . Lorie . Brandi Carlile Joins Rufus Wainwright for Haunting Murder Ballad 'Down in the Willow Garden' [LISTEN] ]. 2023-03-08 . 98.1 KHAK . March 7, 2023 . en . 2023-03-08 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230308003634/https://khak.com/ixp/623/p/brandi-carlile-rufus-wainwright-down-in-the-willow-garden/ . live .
  5. Madarang . Charisma . 2023-03-07 . Rufus Wainwright Previews New LP With 'Masochistic' Folk Ballad Featuring Brandi Carlile . 2023-03-08 . . en-US . 2023-03-08 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230308003634/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/rufus-wainwright-brandi-carlile-down-in-the-willow-garden-1234692313/ . live .
  6. Web site: Rufus Wainwright Shares 'Heading For Home (Feat. John Legend)'. Major. Michael. April 11, 2023. BroadwayWorld. April 15, 2023. April 15, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230415090456/https://www.broadwayworld.com/bwwmusic/article/Rufus-Wainwright-Shares-Heading-For-Home-Feat-John-Legend-20230411. live.
  7. Web site: Rufus Wainwright: Folkocracy Album Review. Pitchfork. Soto. Alfred. June 6, 2023. June 7, 2023. June 7, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230607065414/https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/rufus-wainwright-folkocracy/. live.