If Looks Could Kill (Destroy Lonely album) explained

If Looks Could Kill
Type:studio
Artist:Destroy Lonely
Cover:If Looks Could Kill (Destroy Lonely album).png
Border:yes
Alt:A figure dressed in all-black standing on the ground, holding an axe
Caption:Digital version cover
Released:May 5, 2023
Genre:Rage rap, trap, neo-psychedelia, emo rap
Length:78:47
Label:
Producer:
  • 2C
  • AM
  • BryceUnknwn
  • Cade
  • Carter
  • Clayco
  • Cristian Jeffries
  • Cxdy
  • DJ Moon
  • DxnnyFxntom
  • Dylxn
  • Esko
  • Farsight
  • Glasear
  • Jonah Abraham
  • Jwade
  • Kastro
  • Keatmn
  • Lil 88
  • Lucian
  • Lukrative
  • Macnificent
  • Mahxie
  • Nathan0nline
  • Okami
  • Ozi
  • ReidMD
  • Slo Meezy
  • ssor.t
  • T8ko
  • Texaco Cam
  • TM88
  • Velveteen
  • Xdkole
  • Y2tnb
  • Y3rip
  • Yybaker
  • Zodiac
Prev Title:No Stylist
Prev Year:2022
Next Title:Love Lasts Forever
Next Year:2024

If Looks Could Kill is the debut studio album by American rapper and singer Destroy Lonely. It was released through Opium and Interscope Records on May 5, 2023.[1] Production was handled by Cxdy, DxnnyFxntom, Lil 88, TM88, and among others. The album contains one feature, from Opium labelmate Ken Carson. The CD edition of the album was released the same day as the digital version, containing three new tracks. The vinyl edition of the album was released on August 11, 2023, also containing three new tracks. The deluxe edition of the album, subtitled "Directors Cut", was released on September 29, 2023, including all bonus tracks from all versions. The album serves as a follow-up to his fifth mixtape, No Stylist (2022).

The album was supported by the single "If Looks Could Kill", released on March 3, 2023, after a snippet went viral on TikTok.[2] Single debuted at number 30 on the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.[3] If Looks Could Kill received mostly positive reviews from music critics. The album debuted at number 18 on the US Billboard 200, earning 29,000 album-equivalent units in its first week.

Background and release

Destroy Lonely revealed the name of the album on September 15, 2022, in a now-deleted Twitter post.[4] Following this, Opium premiered the song “If Looks Could Kill” on March 3, 2023.[5]

On April 28, Destroy Lonely revealed on social media the album art and its release date of May 5.[6] At the same time, a CD and deluxe vinyl release of If Looks Could Kill was announced, both of which would feature bonus tracks not found on the digital release.[7]

Artwork

On April 27, 2023, the track list of the album was leaked, revealing 26 songs, 25 solo songs and a bonus track with Ken Carson. The next day, Destroy Lonely indicated that the album would be released on May 5, and they showed the album's cover art.[8] It was also revealed that there would be a physical release of this album, both of which would get their own bonus tracks not found on the digital release.[9]

Short film

Destroy Lonely also released an accompanying musical short film, Look Killa, released the same day as the album.[10]

Critical reception

Alexander Cole of HotNewHipHop gave the album a “Very Hottttt”, stating: “Some might find the 26-track album to be a bit overwhelming, especially when you consider how pretty well every song is handled by Destroy Lonely, and only Destroy Lonely. However, this is one of those albums that you can put on and pick and choose your favorites before making a playlist of them. It is a direct product of the streaming era philosophy. Regardless, fans of DL will most certainly enjoy this new album''.[11]

Kieran Press-Reynolds from Pitchfork stated: "Lonely's music has always radiated a fashion-killer cool and pristine effortlessness, but the dampened vocals and amorphously uneventful beats on If Looks Could Kill are a new level of aloof. The neon joy of his past music is lost in these songs, resulting in an album that’s monochromatic and myopic, a vacuum of formulaic beats and flexes with the odd flicker of genuine creativity.”[12]

Commercial performance

If Looks Could Kill debuted at number 18 on the US Billboard 200 with 29,000 album-equivalent units in its first week.

Charts

Chart (2023)! scope="col"
Peak
position
Canadian Albums (Billboard)[13] 62
Lithuanian Albums (AGATA)[14] 51
US Billboard 200[15] 18
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)[16] 4

Release history

RegionDateFormat(s)Label
VariousMay 5, 2023Interscope, Opium[17]
CD[18]
August 11, 2023[19]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Destroy Lonely's 'If Looks Could Kill' set to drop on May 5 . 2023-04-29 . Our Generation Music.
  2. Web site: Destroy Lonely kicks off a new era with the hazy single "if looks could kill" . 2022-04-29 . Alternative Press.
  3. devops . 2013-01-02 . Bubbling Under Hot 100 . 2023-11-09 . Billboard . en-US.
  4. Web site: https://twitter.com/destroylonely/status/1570575990614790146?s=46&t=odE89IG16kyGoB8T54_LsQ . 2023-08-24 . Twitter . en.
  5. Web site: Neville . 2023-03-03 . Destroy Lonely kicks off a new era with the hazy single "if looks could kill" . 2023-08-24 . Alternative Press Magazine . en-US.
  6. Web site: https://twitter.com/Kurrco/status/1651798911433023488?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1651804474254450688%7Ctwgr%5Ee0915c5f432f10a80e6206f1ca60720136721571%7Ctwcon%5Es3_&ref_url=https://genius.com/albums/Destroy-lonely/If-looks-could-kill-cd-version . 2023-08-24 . Twitter . en.
  7. Web site: https://twitter.com/Kurrco/status/1651804474254450688?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1651804474254450688%7Ctwgr%5Ebdebbaca9bf559024b766e50755df9927996a46a%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https://genius.com/albums/Destroy-lonely/If-looks-could-kill-vinyl-version . 2023-08-24 . Twitter . en.
  8. Web site: Destroy Lonely If Looks Could Kill May 5th . 2023-05-11 . Twitter . en.
  9. Web site: The CD & vinyl releases for If Looks Could Kill contain two additional bonus tracks each... . 2023-05-11 . Twitter . en.
  10. Web site: Destroy Lonely Drops 'If Looks Could Kill' Album With A Bloody Short Film . 2023-05-11 . Power 100.9 . en.
  11. Web site: Cole . Alexander . 2023-05-05 . Destroy Lonely Delivers Highly-Anticipated New Album "If Looks Could Kill" . 2023-05-07 . HotNewHipHop . en-US.
  12. Web site: Destroy Lonely: If Looks Could Kill . 2023-05-10 . Pitchfork . en-US.
  13. Billboard Canadian Albums: Week of May 20, 2023. Billboard. May 16, 2023.
  14. Web site: 2023 19-os savaitės klausomiausi (Top 100). AGATA. lt. May 12, 2023. May 12, 2023.
  15. billboardcharts. 1658200199393583180. Debuts on this week's #Billboard200.... May 15, 2023. May 16, 2023.
  16. Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums: Week of May 20, 2023. Billboard. May 16, 2023.
  17. Web site: 2023-05-05 . Destroy Lonely Delivers Highly-Anticipated New Album "If Looks Could Kill" . 2023-08-23 . www.hotnewhiphop.com . en.
  18. Web site: If Looks Could Kill CD . 2023-08-23 . DESTROY LONELY Official Store . en.
  19. Web site: If Looks Could Kill Vinyl . 2023-08-23 . DESTROY LONELY Official Store . en.