For the First Time (Black Country, New Road album)

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For the First Time
Cover art photography by Asaf Rovny
Studio album by
Black Country, New Road
Released5 February 2021
Recorded2020
Genre
Length40:44
LabelNinja Tune
ProducerAndy Savours
Black Country, New Road chronology
For the First Time
(2021) 		Ants from Up There
(2022)
Singles from For the First Time
  1. "Sunglasses"
    Released: 26 June 2019
  2. "Science Fair"
    Released: 28 October 2020
  3. "Track X"
    Released: 11 January 2021

For the First Time (stylized in sentence case as For the first time) is the debut studio album by British rock band Black Country, New Road, released on 5 February 2021 through Ninja Tune. The album was preceded by the release of two singles, "Science Fair" and "Track X", and also includes re-recorded versions of their 2019 debut singles "Athens, France" and "Sunglasses". Known for experimenting with post-punk, klezmer, free jazz, and math rock,[4] the band showcased a clear preference for atmospherics over post-punk on For the First Time.[5]

The album received widespread acclaim from music critics for its experimental sound and poetic lyricism. It was nominated for the Mercury Prize in 2021.[6] It was successful commercially, debuting at No. 4 on the UK Albums Chart.[7]

Background and release[edit]

Black Country, New Road released their debut single, "Athens, France" in January 2019 through Speedy Wunderground.[8][9] It was followed by their second single, "Sunglasses", released later that year.[10][11] These releases garnered attention from critics, for experimenting with post-punk, klezmer, and free jazz sounds.[12][13][14]

According to the band, For the First Time sums up their first 18-month journey in which they "wanted it to sound exactly how we love to sound live."[12] The album was released on 5 February 2021 through Ninja Tune.[15] Prior to the album's release, it was listed as one of the most anticipated albums of February 2021 by several media publications, including Evening Standard and The Quietus.[13][16]

We've since learnt our best asset: We can play quietly. We've taken that and used it so it's more dynamic. Intensity worked for us with those early recordings, like, 'Oh my god, this band is so intense and angsty,' but this record is a much more considered approach.

— The band's saxophonist, Lewis Evans on the album, Consequence of Sound[12]

Promotion[edit]

On 28 October 2020, the group announced the release of For the First Time.[15] "Science Fair" was simultaneously served as the album's lead single.[12] The band also shared the track list which revealed that the record would feature reworked versions of "Athens, France" and "Sunglasses".[12] On 11 January 2021, "Track X" was released as the second single from the album.[17] The album was produced by Andy Savours, and recorded in March 2020.[15][12]

Critical reception[edit]

Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
AnyDecentMusic?8.2/10[18]
Metacritic83/100[19]
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[4]
Clash9/10[2]
Exclaim!8/10[20]
The Guardian[21]
The Independent[22]
The Line of Best Fit9/10[23]
musicOMH[24]
NME[1]
Pitchfork7.4/10[25]
The Times[26]

At Metacritic, which assigns a weighted average rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream publications, this release received an average score of 83 based on 17 reviews, indicating "universal acclaim".[19] Aggregator AnyDecentMusic? gave the album an 8.2 out of 10, based on their assessment of the critical consensus.[18]

Kitty Empire of The Guardian regarded For the First Time as one of the best albums of the year, writing that it portrayed "a joyful disregard for genre."[21] Writing for Clash, Hayley Scott called the album "a significant milestone in modern guitar music" that established Black Country, New Road as "a much-needed anomaly."[2] Reviewing for The Line of Best Fit, Lauren Down wrote the album is "ferocious and endlessly intelligent, highly considered and wildly improvised, eked out with bristling tension and set alight with a burning intensity and a knowing smile."[23] Charlie McQuaid of Exclaim! felt that the record is "an honest portrayal of where the band stand at this time — and even that is evolving."[20] Ryan Leas from Stereogum listed it as the best album of its release week, praising the production and the band's story-telling.[27]

B.Sassons of PopMatters lauded the experimental production, poetic lyricism, and versatile vocal delivery, saying that "For the First Time maintains a well-tempered intensity refined in its delivery but honest in its angst."[28] Paste's Max Freedman agreed, adding that the album showcased "a clear preference for atmospherics over post-punk."[5] Kyle Kohner of Beats Per Minute likened the album's '90s experimental rock sound to that of American rock band Slint, further writing that the band "devised a record – and sound – unrivaled by most acts emerging from the latest post-punk resurgence."[29] Luke Cartledge of NME dubbed the album as "utterly mesmerising," saying that "For The First Time is a triumph, both as a document of who this band have been up to now, and a thrilling hint as to where they may head next."[1] Reviewing for AllMusic, Paul Simpson felt that "occasionally the vocals (and the constant name-dropping) become overbearing, but the musicianship is strong and adventurous, taking familiar instrumentation in unexpected directions, and Black Country, New Road are undeniably original."[4] musicOMH's Matt Cotsell was positive in his review, writing, "Black Country, New Road are no gods, but this inventive and likeable album should earn them a million or so disciples."[24]

Alex Cabré of DIY was less favourable in his review of the album, saying that it was "perhaps less an album to be enjoyed as a cerebral puzzle to be tackled."[30] In a more negative review, Roisin O'Connor of The Independent said that the record was "a letdown after the early hype" and felt "tedious and predictable."[31]

Accolades[edit]

For the first time on year-end lists
Publication List Rank Ref.
Loud and Quiet Albums of the Year 2021
1
 [32]
DIY DIY's Best Albums of 2021
5
 [33]
Paste The 50 Best Albums of 2021
40
[34]
NME The 50 Best Albums of 2021
40
 [35]
The Quietus Quietus Albums of the Year 2021
34
 [36]
The Guardian The 50 Best Albums of 2021
44
 [37]
Consequence Top 50 Albums of 2021
37
 [38]

Track listing[edit]

All tracks are written by Charlie Wayne, Georgia Ellery, Isaac Wood, Lewis Evans, Luke Mark, May Kershaw, and Tyler Hyde.

No.TitleLength
1."Instrumental"5:27
2."Athens, France"6:22
3."Science Fair"6:20
4."Sunglasses"9:50
5."Track X"4:44
6."Opus"8:01
Total length:40:44

Personnel[edit]

Black Country, New Road

  • Isaac Wood – vocals, lead guitar
  • Luke Mark – guitar
  • May Kershaw – keyboards
  • Georgia Ellery – violin
  • Lewis Evans – saxophone
  • Tyler Hyde – bass
  • Charlie Wayne – drums

Additional personnel

Charts[edit]

Chart performance for For the First Time
Chart (2021) Peak
position
Australian Albums (ARIA)[39] 94
Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria)[40] 60
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)[41] 52
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia)[42] 91
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[43] 44
Scottish Albums (OCC)[44] 5
UK Albums (OCC)[45] 4
US Heatseekers Albums (Billboard)[46] 15
US Tastemaker Albums (Billboard)[47] 4
US Top Album Sales (Billboard)[48] 50

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c Cartledge, Luke (4 February 2021). "Black Country, New Road – 'For The First Time' review: an utterly mesmerising debut". NME. Retrieved 5 February 2021.
  2. ^ a b c d Scott, Hayley (1 February 2021). "Black Country, New Road - For the first time". Clash. Retrieved 2 February 2021.
  3. ^ "Black Country, New Road: For the first time". Pitchfork.
  4. ^ a b c Simpson, Paul (5 February 2021). "For the First Time - Black Country, New Road". AllMusic. Retrieved 5 February 2021.
  5. ^ a b Freedman, Max (5 February 2021). "Black Country, New Road's For the first time Isn't Their First Rodeo". Paste. Retrieved 8 February 2021.
  6. ^ "Mercury prize 2021: first-time nominees dominate shortlist". the Guardian. 2021-07-22. Retrieved 2021-09-03.
  7. ^ Brandle, Lars (2021-02-15). "Foo Fighters Notch Fifth U.K. No. 1 With 'Medicine at Midnight'". Billboard. Retrieved 2022-02-04.
  8. ^ Murray, Robin (18 January 2019). "Listen: Black Country, New Road - 'Athen's, France'". Clash. Retrieved 2 February 2021.
  9. ^ Homewood, Ben (29 October 2020). "Ninja Tune welcomes hotly-tipped indie act Black Country, New Road". Music Week. Retrieved 2 February 2021.
  10. ^ Helman, Peter (25 July 2019). "Black Country, New Road – 'Sunglasses'". Stereogum. Retrieved 2 February 2021.
  11. ^ Thompson, Stephen (17 March 2020). "The Austin 100: Black Country, New Road". NPR. Retrieved 2 February 2021.
  12. ^ a b c d e f Kaye, Ben (28 October 2020). "Black Country, New Road Announce Debut Album For the first time, Share "Science Fair": Stream". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved 2 February 2021.
  13. ^ a b Embley, Jochan (1 February 2021). "New albums February 2021: The best music to look forward to this month, from Foo Fighters to Julien Baker". Evening Standard. Retrieved 2 February 2021.
  14. ^ Neale, Matthew (1 February 2021). "Black Country, New Road: sax and violins from Britain's most prestigious new band". NME. Retrieved 2 February 2021.
  15. ^ a b c Skinner, Tom (28 October 2020). "Black Country, New Road announce debut album 'For The First Time'". NME. Retrieved 2 February 2021.
  16. ^ Clarke, Patrick (29 January 2021). "Music Of The Month: The Best Albums And Tracks Of January 2021". The Quietus. Retrieved 2 February 2021.
  17. ^ Russell, Scott (11 January 2021). "Black Country, New Road Share New Single, "Track X"". Paste. Retrieved 2 February 2021.
  18. ^ a b "For The First Time by Black Country, New Road". AnyDecentMusic?. Retrieved April 15, 2021.
  19. ^ a b "Critic Reviews for For the First Time". Metacritic. Retrieved 2 February 2021.
  20. ^ a b McQuaid, Charlie (2 February 2021). "Black Country, New Road Live Up to the Hype on 'For the first time'". Exclaim!. Retrieved 2 February 2021.
  21. ^ a b Empire, Kitty (February 7, 2021). "Album reviews: Black Country, New Road: For the First Time review – one of the best albums of 2021". The Guardian. Retrieved February 7, 2021.
  22. ^ O'Connor, Roisin (5 February 2021). "Album reviews: Black Country, New Road – For the First Time, and The Staves – Good Woman". The Independent. Retrieved 8 February 2021.
  23. ^ a b Down, Lauren (1 February 2021). "Black Country, New Road remain ferocious, highly considered, and wildly improvised for their debut". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved 2 February 2021.
  24. ^ a b Cotsell, Matt (4 February 2021). "Black Country, New Road – For The First Time". musicOMH. Retrieved 8 February 2021.
  25. ^ Monroe, Jazz (9 February 2021). "Black Country, New Road - For the first time". Pitchfork. Retrieved 9 February 2021.
  26. ^ Hodgkinson, Will (4 February 2021). "The best new music: Black Country, New Road and the Staves". The Times. Retrieved 5 February 2021.
  27. ^ Leas, Ryan (2 February 2021). "Album Of The Week: Black Country, New Road For The First Time". Stereogum. Retrieved 2 February 2021.
  28. ^ Sassons, B. (5 February 2021). "Black Country, New Road's Debut Sets a New Benchmark for Experimental Rock". PopMatters. Retrieved 8 February 2021.
  29. ^ Kohner, Matt (5 February 2021). "Album Review: Black Country, New Road – For the First Time". Beats Per Minute. Retrieved 8 February 2021.
  30. ^ Cabre, Alex (5 February 2021). "Black Country, New Road - For the First Time". DIY. Retrieved 8 February 2021.
  31. ^ "Album reviews: Black Country, New Road – For the First Time, and The Staves – Good Woman". The Independent. February 4, 2021. Retrieved February 5, 2021.
  32. ^ "Loud And Quiet Albums of the Year 2021". Loud And Quiet. Retrieved 2021-12-31.
  33. ^ "DIY's Best Albums of 2021". DIY. Retrieved 2022-01-03.
  34. ^ "The 50 Best Albums of 2021". Paste. 29 November 2021. Retrieved 30 November 2021.
  35. ^ "The 50 best albums of 2021". NME. 2021-12-10. Retrieved 2021-12-16.
  36. ^ "The Quietus | Features | Quietus Charts | Quietus Albums Of The Year 2021 (In Association With Norman Records)". The Quietus. Retrieved 2022-01-03.
  37. ^ "The 50 best albums of 2021". the Guardian. 2021-12-17. Retrieved 2022-01-03.
  38. ^ "Top 50 Albums of 2021". Consequence. 2021-12-07. Retrieved 2022-01-03.
  39. ^ "The ARIA Report: Week Commencing 15 February 2021". The ARIA Report. No. 1615. Australian Recording Industry Association. 15 February 2021. p. 6.
  40. ^ "Austriancharts.at – Black Country, New Road – For the First Time" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved 20 February 2021.
  41. ^ "Ultratop.be – Black Country, New Road – For the First Time" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 12 February 2021.
  42. ^ "Ultratop.be – Black Country, New Road – For the First Time" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved 12 February 2021.
  43. ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Black Country, New Road – For the First Time" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved 12 February 2021.
  44. ^ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 13 February 2021.
  45. ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 13 February 2021.
  46. ^ "Heatseekers Albums: Week of February 20, 2021". Billboard. Retrieved 5 April 2023.
  47. ^ "Tastemaker Albums: Week of February 20, 2021". Billboard. Retrieved 5 April 2023.
  48. ^ "Top Album Sales: Week of February 20, 2021". Billboard. Retrieved 5 April 2023.
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