Moral Panic (album) explained

Moral Panic
Type:	studio
Artist:	Nothing but Thieves
Cover:	Moral Panic Nothing But Thieves.jpg
Released:	23 October 2020
Recorded:	2019–2020
Length:	43:02
Label:	Sony UK
Prev Title:	What Did You Think When You Made Me This Way?
Prev Year:	2018
Next Title:	Dead Club City
Next Year:	2023

Moral Panic is the third studio album by English alternative rock band Nothing but Thieves. The album was released on 23 October 2020 through Sony Music UK.^[1] The album was produced by Mike Crossey, with band member Dominic Craik also producing five songs.

Background

The band started composing the songs for the album in the early 2019. Although its release coincided with Covid-19 pandemic and a lot of related anxiety and tension in the society, the idea for the album (including its title and even the first single, Is Everybody Going Crazy?) came prior to that and took inspiration from various social issues in the world.

Release and promotion

Singles

The album was preceded by five singles: lead single "Is Everybody Going Crazy?", released on 18 March 2020; "Real Love Song", released on 23 June 2020, "Unperson", released on 28 August 2020, "Impossible", released on 14 September 2020, and "Phobia", released on 16 October 2020.

Music videos

The music video for "Is Everybody Going Crazy?" premiered on the band's YouTube channel on 25 March 2020. The video was directed by Remi Laudat and co-produced by Juliette Larthe, Chris Murdoch and Yssis McKen. The video features the band in grey rainsuits performing in a dark room with cameras running at various angles and vantage points. On 10 August 2020, "Real Love Song" premiered on the band's YouTube and Vevo channels.

Moral Panic: The Complete Edition

On 29 October 2021, a deluxe version of the album was released comprising the 11 songs from the standard edition with the addition of the five songs from the band's Moral Panic II EP.

Track listing

All songs written by Conor Mason, Joe Langridge-Brown and Dominic Craik, except tracks 4, 5, 7, 8 & 9 by Conor Mason, Joe Langridge-Brown, Dominic Craik, Jim Irvin & Julian Emery.

Personnel

Credits adapted from Tidal.^[2]

Nothing but Thieves

• Philip Blake – bass guitar
• Dominic Craik – guitar, programming (all tracks); producer (1, 3–5, 11)
• Joe Langridge-Brown – guitar
• Conor Mason – vocals
• James Price – drums

Technical

• Mike Crossey – programming, producer, mixing engineer
• Robin Schmidt – mastering engineer
• Stephen Sesso – engineer

Artwork

• Steve Stacey – art direction, design
• Tom Andrew – photography

Charts

Chart (2020)! scope="col"

Peak position
US Heatseekers Albums (Billboard)^[3]	13
US Top Album Sales (Billboard)^[4]	79
US Top Current Album Sales (Billboard)^[5]	55

Notes and References

1. Web site: Nothing but Thieves announce new album 'Moral Panic' with single 'Real Love Song' . . 24 June 2020 . 2 September 2020 . Richards, Will.
2. Web site: Credits / Moral Panic / Nothing But Thieves . . 23 October 2020 . 25 July 2021.
3. Nothing But Thieves Chart History (Heatseekers Albums). Billboard. 21 January 2024.
4. Nothing But Thieves Chart History (Top Album Sales). Billboard. 21 January 2024.
5. Nothing But Thieves Chart History (Top Current Album Sales). Billboard. 21 January 2024.