With a Hammer
| With a Hammer | ||||
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | April 7, 2023 | |||
| Length | 43:39 | |||
| Language |
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| Label | XL | |||
| Producer |
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| Yaeji chronology | ||||
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| Singles from With a Hammer | ||||
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With a Hammer is the debut studio album by American musician Yaeji. It was released on April 7, 2023, through XL Recordings.
Reception
| Aggregate scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AnyDecentMusic? | 8.0/10[1] |
| Metacritic | 86/100[2] |
| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [3] |
| Clash | 8/10[4] |
| DIY | [5] |
| Exclaim! | 8/10[6] |
| The Line of Best Fit | 8/10[7] |
| NME | [8] |
| The Observer | [9] |
| Pitchfork | 8.5/10[10] |
| The Skinny | [11] |
| Slant | [12] |
With a Hammer received a score of 86 out of 100 on review aggregator Metacritic based on 13 critics' reviews, indicating "universal acclaim".[2] Pitchfork gave the album their "Best New Music" distinction, with Julianna Escobedo Shepherd describing it as "an airy blend of synth-pop, jazz, techno, and ambient. It's a generous, understated exploration of rage as a source of creative renewal".[10]
Track listing
All lyrics are written by Kathy Yaeji Lee; "1 Thing to Smash" lyrics co-written by Loraine James.
| No. | Title | Music | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Submerge FM" |
| 3:25 |
| 2. | "For Granted" | Lee | 2:41 |
| 3. | "Fever" | Lee | 4:08 |
| 4. | "Passed Me By" | Lee | 4:03 |
| 5. | "With a Hammer" |
| 3:45 |
| 6. | "I'll Remember for Me, I'll Remember for You" | Lee | 2:02 |
| 7. | "Done (Let's Get It)" | Lee | 2:52 |
| 8. | "Ready or Not" (with K Wata) |
| 4:31 |
| 9. | "Michin" (with Enayet) |
| 3:33 |
| 10. | "Away x5" | Lee | 2:33 |
| 11. | "Happy" (with Nourished by Time) |
| 3:59 |
| 12. | "1 Thing to Smash" (with Loraine James) |
| 3:15 |
| 13. | "Be Alone in This" |
| 2:45 |
| Total length: | 43:39 | ||
Personnel
- Yaeji – vocals, production, engineering (all tracks), programming (1–3, 5–8, 10, 13), creative direction, cover art, design, illustrations
- Joe LaPorta – mastering
- Chris Botta – mixing, engineering (all tracks), arrangement (13)
- K Wata – production, engineering, programming, arrangement (8)
- Enayet – engineering (9, 13); production, arrangement (9)
- Loraine James – production, programming, arrangement (12)
Charts
| Chart (2023) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US World Albums (Billboard)[13] | 13 |
References
- ^ "With a Hammer by Yaeji (reviews)". AnyDecentMusic?. Retrieved April 19, 2023.
- ^ a b "With a Hammer by Yaeji Reviews and Tracks". Metacritic. Retrieved September 24, 2023.
- ^ Simpson, Paul. Review of With a Hammer at AllMusic. Retrieved April 19, 2023.
- ^ Mellen, James (April 4, 2023). "Yaeji – With a Hammer". Clash. Retrieved April 19, 2023.
- ^ Robinson, Otis (April 7, 2023). "Yaeji – With a Hammer". DIY. Retrieved April 19, 2023.
- ^ Ciubotaru, Noah (April 6, 2023). "Yaeji – With a Hammer". Exclaim!. Retrieved April 19, 2023.
- ^ Burr, Elliot (April 5, 2023). "Yaeji's long awaited debut With a Hammer sees an artist's love for their music shine through". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved April 19, 2023.
- ^ Hunt, El (April 4, 2023). "Yaeji – With a Hammer review: taking a mallet to her rage". NME. Retrieved April 19, 2023.
- ^ Empire, Kitty (April 9, 2023). "Yaeji: With a Hammer review – pop-facing rage and candour". The Observer. Retrieved April 19, 2023.
- ^ a b Escobedo Shepherd, Julianne (April 10, 2023). "Yaeji: With a Hammer Album Review". Pitchfork. Retrieved September 24, 2023.
- ^ Inglis, Tony (April 6, 2023). "Yaeji – With a Hammer". The Skinny. Retrieved April 19, 2023.
- ^ Rickun, Jackson (April 4, 2023). "Yaeji With a Hammer Review: A Balancing Act of Creation and Deconstruction". Slant. Retrieved April 19, 2023.
- ^ "World Albums: Week of April 22, 2023". Billboard. Retrieved April 19, 2023.