Relaxer (album)

"RELAXER" redirects here. For the hairdressing term, see Relaxer.

Relaxer
Studio album by
alt-J
Released2 June 2017 (2017-06-02)
RecordedAugust 2016 – January 2017
StudioIguana Studios, Brixton
Abbey Road Studios, Westminster
The Church Studios, Crouch End
Strongroom Studios, Shoreditch
Ely Cathedral, Ely
Genre
Length38:59
Label
ProducerCharlie Andrew
Alt-J chronology
This Is All Yours
(2014) 		Relaxer
(2017) 		Reduxer
(2018)
Singles from Relaxer
  1. "3WW"
    Released: 6 March 2017
  2. "In Cold Blood"
    Released: 29 March 2017
  3. "Adeline"
    Released: 24 May 2017
  4. "Deadcrush"
    Released: 12 July 2017
  5. "Pleader"
    Released: 15 September 2017

Relaxer (stylised as RELAXER) is the third studio album by English indie rock band alt-J, released on 2 June 2017[5] by Infectious Music and the Canvasback Music division of Atlantic Records.[6] It was originally scheduled to be released on 9 June 2017 but the band later decided to release it a week earlier.

The band recorded Relaxer in London with producer Charlie Andrew, who also produced alt-J's first two albums. It includes songs composed entirely during the album's recording and songs dating back to the band's formative years at the University of Leeds. Six of the album's eight tracks feature strings arranged by alt-J and performed by the London Metropolitan Orchestra. "House of the Rising Sun" is a rearrangement of the traditional folk tune with additional verses from the band. "3WW" and "Deadcrush" feature guest vocals from Ellie Rowsell of Wolf Alice and "Last Year" features guest vocals from Marika Hackman, who sang on alt-J's previous album.

alt-J promoted Relaxer with the singles "3WW", "In Cold Blood", "Adeline", "Deadcrush" and "Pleader", with music videos for all except "Adeline". The band also enlisted Japanese artist Osamu Sato to create a playable online game inspired by his own game LSD: Dream Emulator as part of the promotion for Relaxer. The album's artwork features a screenshot from Sato's game. The band embarked on the Relaxer Tour on 10 June 2017 with performances at festivals including Glastonbury and Lollapalooza. The album was nominated for the 2017 Mercury Prize.[7] A remix album of tracks from Relaxer titled Reduxer was released on 28 September 2018.[8]

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference The Telegraph was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference NME was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ "Review: Alt-J's new album Relaxer sees them continuing their divisiveness, blending brief moments of innovation with plenty of baffling ones". The 405. Archived from the original on 2 June 2017. Retrieved 3 June 2017.
  4. ^ "Album reviews". The Independent. June 2017.
  5. ^ Sackllah, David (29 May 2017). "Alt-J – Relaxer". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved 8 June 2017.
  6. ^ "Preview New alt-J Song '3WW' In LP3 Teaser". Stereogum. 3 March 2017. Retrieved 3 March 2017.
  7. ^ Cite error: The named reference MercuryPrize was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  8. ^ Schatz, Lake (17 July 2018). "Alt-J Announce Reduxer Remix Album, Featuring Pusha-T, Danny Brown | Music News". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved 29 August 2018.