Perfect Saviors Explained

Perfect Saviors
Type:studio
Artist:The Armed
Cover:Perfect Saviors cover.png
Length:41:48
Label:Sargent House
Prev Title:Ultrapop
Prev Year:2022

Perfect Saviors is the fifth studio album from the American post-hardcore collective The Armed, released on 25 August 2023.

Background

On 14 June 2023, The Armed tweeted a photo of a billboard with a caption containing the date 27 June 2023. The billboard contained artwork depicting the band's logo and Iggy Pop, appearing to suggest a collaborative release between the two.[1] This collaborative release was later revealed to be the album's first single, "Sport of Form", with Iggy Pop playing God in the accompanying music video. Along with the release of the song, the album's title was announced, Perfect Saviors, with its release date of 25 August 2023 through Sargent House.[2]

The second single was "Everything's Glitter" and was released on 18 July 2023.[3] The third and final single, "Liar 2", was released on 7 August.[4]

Critical reception

Perfect Saviors received a score of 81 out of 100 on review aggregator Metacritic based on four critics' reviews, indicating "universal acclaim". Marjo Djurdjic of Exclaim! stated that "although each of the album's 12 songs have their place, the band's maximalist proclivities have clearly spoiled us, leaving a pair of late tracks floundering" and although "the album doesn't have the same immediate impact as Ultrapop", it "will undoubtedly cement the Armed as one of the best, most exciting rock/punk/hardcore/experimental/whatever-you-want-to-call-them bands making music today". Steve Erickson of Slant Magazine felt that the tracks "veer from pretty hooks and acoustic guitar to blast beats" and "linger in an in-between space that doesn't fully embrace either noise or pop".

Personnel

Notes and References

  1. The Armed and Iggy Pop are Teasing Something with a Cryptic Billboard. Calum. Slingerland. 14 June 2023. 19 July 2023. Exclaim!.
  2. Iggy Pop, Julien Baker Help the Armed Bring New Song to Life . . 27 June 2023 .
  3. Web site: The Armed Share New Single "Everything's Glitter": Listen . 18 July 2023 .
  4. Web site: The Armed – "Liar 2". James. Rettig. Stereogum. 30 September 2023. 7 August 2023.
  5. Web site: Geiger . Amy . The Armed announce LP & tour, share "Sport Of Form" feat. Julien Baker (and Iggy Pop as God) . 8 August 2023 . Brookyln Vegan. 27 June 2023 .
  6. Web site: Anderson . Carys . The Armed Announce New Album Perfect Saviors, Share "Sport of Form" Featuring Julien Baker: Stream . 8 August 2023 . Consequence.
  7. Web site: Duran . Anagricel . The Armed announce new album with video featuring Iggy Pop and Julien Baker . 8 August 2023 . NME . 5 July 2023 . BandLab Technologies.
  8. Web site: Deville . Chris . The Armed Announce Their New Album With A Julien Baker Collab And A Video Starring Iggy Pop As God . 8 August 2023 . Stereogum . 27 June 2023 . Stereogum Media.
  9. Web site: Pizzola . Thomas . Interview: The Armed's Cara Drolshagen Talks New Album 'Ultrapop' . 25 August 2023 . New Noise Magazine.
  10. Web site: 4 July 2023 . "'The real story is more confusing than any lie': the Armed's Tony Wolski unmasks the punk collective" . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230730020823/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2023/jul/04/the-armed-tony-wolski-unmasks-the-punk-collective . 30 July 2023 . 4 July 2023 . The Guardian.
  11. Web site: Newton . Caleb . INTERVIEW: THE ARMED GUEST DRUMMER URIAN HACKNEY ON 'ULTRAPOP' . 8 August 2023 . New Noise Magazine.
  12. Web site: SEE THE ARMED DANCE IN THE STREETS IN NEW "LIAR 2" VIDEO . 8 August 2023 . Revolver Magazine. 7 August 2023 .
  13. Web site: Kenny Szymanski . 8 August 2023 . Discogs.
  14. Web site: Brodsky . Rachel . illuminati hotties – "Truck" . 9 August 2023 . Stereogum . 19 July 2023 . Stereogum Media.
  15. Web site: Interview: Guitarist Troy Van Leeuwen Talks His Guest Appearance on The Armed's 'ULTRAPOP' . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20221103095031/https://newnoisemagazine.com/interviews/interview-guitarist-troy-van-leeuwen-talks-his-guest-appearance-on-the-armeds-ultrapop/ . 3 November 2022 . 3 November 2022 . New Noise Magazine.