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Quest for Fire (album)

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For the 2001 album by Kardinal Offishall, see Quest for Fire: Firestarter, Vol. 1.
Quest for Fire
A painting of an individual riding a dead horse through an apocalyptic wasteland
Studio album by
Skrillex
ReleasedFebruary 17, 2023 (2023-02-17)
Genre
Length45:03
Label
Producer
Skrillex chronology
Show Tracks
(2019) 		Quest for Fire
(2023) 		Don't Get Too Close
(2023)
Singles from Quest for Fire
  1. "Butterflies"
    Released: May 10, 2021
  2. "Too Bizarre"
    Released: May 13, 2021
  3. "Supersonic (My Existence)"
    Released: June 10, 2021
  4. "Rumble"
    Released: January 4, 2023
  5. "Leave Me Like This"
    Released: January 18, 2023
  6. "Xena"
    Released: February 2, 2023

Quest for Fire is the second studio album by American record producer Skrillex, released on February 17, 2023, through Owsla and Atlantic Records.[2] It follows his 2014 album Recess and was preceded by the singles "Rumble" (with Fred Again and Flowdan), "Leave Me Like This" (with Bobby Raps), and "Xena" (with Nai Barghouti).[3] It also includes collaborations with Aluna, Eli Keszler, Pete Wentz, Starrah, Swae Lee, Noisia, Dylan Brady, Four Tet, Missy Elliott, Mr. Oizo, Porter Robinson and Bibi Bourelly.[4] The album is composed of house, dubstep, two-step garage and Chicago juke songs.[1]

Skrillex released his third album, Don't Get Too Close, on February 18, a day after Quest for Fire.[5]

Promotion

[edit]

The album was first teased when Skrillex uploaded a teaser video titled "QFF/DGTC 23" across his social media on January 1, 2023.[6] Following the release of three singles across January and early February, Skrillex announced the album on February 11, 2023, also uploading a DJ set of modified tracks from the album filmed in his basement on his YouTube channel the same day. The album was released while Skrillex was performing at Le Poisson Rouge during one of several pop-up shows across New York City in the days leading up to his show at Madison Square Garden with Fred Again.. and Four Tet. [3][7]

Singles

[edit]

Along with including the announced lead single "Rumble" (with Fred Again and Flowdan), as well as the subsequent 2023 singles "Leave Me Like This" (with Bobby Raps) and "Xena" (with Nai Barghouti), the track list features Skrillex's 2021 singles "Butterflies" (with Starrah and Four Tet), a remix of "Too Bizarre" (with Swae Lee and Siiickbrain) and "Supersonic (My Existence)" (with Noisia, Josh Pan and Dylan Brady).[4] "Ratata" featuring Missy Elliott and Mr. Oizo is set to be released as a single; it includes an interpolation of Elliott's 2002 song "Work It".[8]

Critical reception

[edit]
Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic72/100[9]
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[10]
The Arts Desk[11]
Clash8/10[12]
The Guardian[1]
NME[13]
Pitchfork7.7/10[14]
Sputnikmusic3.2/5[15]
The Telegraph[16]

Quest for Fire received a score of 72 out of 100 at review aggregator Metacritic based on twelve critics' reviews, indicating "generally favorable" reception.[9] Joe Muggs of The Arts Desk called the album "the most groove-based thing [Skrillex has] done" and "hyper-detailed, a sci-fi-psychedelic jungle of micro sounds and macro mutations", finding that "it successfully holds together crazed disparate elements".[11] Writing for NME, Ben Jolley opined that Quest for Fire contains "bountiful genres" and that Skrillex's "return largely lives up to the hype" by "often channel[ing] nostalgia", but also after "covering so much ground" in terms of the genres and sounds explored, this "means the album lacks a clear narrative or overarching theme".[13] The staff review from AllMusic claimed, "The tracks on Quest for Fire go for instant dancefloor gratification, but they're far more refined and nuanced than the brostep ragers that made Skrillex a household name in the early 2010s."[10]

Alexis Petridis of The Guardian wrote that the album is "guest-laden eclecticism that walks the line between catchy and annoying" and includes "a bit of everything, from house and dubstep to two-step garage and Chicago juke", concluding that it "feels more like a crammed mood-board than an album".[1] Isabel Armitage of Clash commented "we still get to hear the classic EDM sound palette in Quest For Fire as well as high tuned pop punk vocals that we have come to expect from Skrillex" on the album, concluding that it "features an eclectic mix sub cultures from niche areas of the world, with each song fluidly merging with the next whilst creating a new, unique sound".[12] Writing for Pitchfork, Chal Ravens felt Quest for Fire "is a huge evolution from the brash, stadium-sized ragers of Skrillex 1.0. He's finally absorbed the fundamentals of dance music: basic stuff, like having a rhythm that makes you want to move your body."[14]

Reviewing the album for The Telegraph, Ali Shutler expressed relief that Quest for Fire "doesn't sound like 2010 all over again", but that it "still blends urgent, bass-heavy peaks and drops with a near-constant sense of euphoria". Shutler described it as "still visceral EDM designed to get the pulse racing, but the whole thing has been given an ambitious refresh", calling it the "second coming of Skrillex".[16] Writing for Sputnikmusic, Kirk Bowman questioned why Skrillex did not "do more with hyperpop or dariacore producers that clearly idolize him, or cash in on the many stars he's previously worked with who could have written more interesting songs for him", writing that while he "appreciate[s] the effort" that went into making the album "sound diverse and interesting", he could not "help but imagine how much farther [Skrillex] could have gone".[15]

Year-end lists

[edit]
Select year-end rankings of Quest for Fire
Critic/Publication List Rank Ref.
Rolling Stone The 100 Best Albums of 2023
68
[17]
The Line of Best Fit The Best Albums of 2023
43
[18]

Track listing

[edit]
Quest for Fire track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Leave Me Like This" (with Bobby Raps)
3:08
2."Ratata" (with Missy Elliott and Mr. Oizo)
2:06
3."Tears" (with Joker and Sleepnet)
  • Skrillex
  • Joker
  • Sleepnet
3:05
4."Rumble" (with Fred Again and Flowdan)
  • Skrillex
  • Fred Again
2:26
5."Butterflies" (with Starrah and Four Tet)
  • Skrillex
  • Four Tet
3:15
6."Inhale Exhale" (with Aluna and Kito)
3:25
7."A Street I Know" (with Eli Keszler)
  • Skrillex
  • Keszler
  • Joyryde[a]
3:35
8."Xena" (with Nai Barghouti)
  • Moore
  • Rasha Mosa
Skrillex4:11
9."Too Bizarre (Juked)" (with Swae Lee, Siiickbrain, and Posij)
  • Moore
  • Caroline Miner Smith
  • Everett Romano
  • Frank Post
  • Khalif Brown
  • Rex Kudo
  • Skrillex
  • Heavy Mellow
  • Posij
  • Kudo
  • Siiickbrain[d]
3:28
10."Hydrate" (with Flowdan, Beam, and Peekaboo)
  • Skrillex
  • Peekaboo
  • Chahayed
3:36
11."Warped Tour '05 with Pete Wentz" (with Pete Wentz)MooreSkrillex0:48
12."Good Space" (with Starrah)
Skrillex2:12
13."Supersonic (My Existence)" (with Noisia, Josh Pan, and Dylan Brady)
  • Skrillex
  • Noisia
  • Drew Gold[b]
2:45
14."Hazel Theme"
Skrillex1:51
15."Still Here (With the Ones That I Came With)" (with Porter Robinson and Bibi Bourelly)
  • Skrillex
  • Robinson
5:12
Total length:45:03

Notes

  • ^[a] signifies an additional producer
  • ^[b] signifies an assistant producer
  • ^[c] signifies a vocal producer
  • ^[d] signifies an additional remixer
  • "Ratata" and "Xena" are stylized in all caps.
  • "Too Bizarre (Juked)" is stylized as "TOO BIZARRE (juked)".
  • "Warped Tour '05 with Pete Wentz" is stylized as "Warped Tour '05 with pete WENTZ".
  • Parenthesized text in "Supersonic (My Existence)" and "Still Here (With the Ones That I Came With)" are stylized in all lowercase.

Sample credits

  • "Leave Me Like This" contains a sample of "Caribbean Queen" by Billy Ocean.
  • "Ratata" contains a sample of "Positif" by Mr. Oizo.
  • "Tears" samples both "I Never Knew" by Deborah Cox and "Hydrate".
  • "Rumble" contains a sample of "Selecta" by Skrillex and Beam.
  • "Inhale Exhale" contains a sample of "Alone With You" by Kito featuring AlunaGeorge.
  • "Xena" contains a sample of "Ghandara" by Nai Barghouti.
  • "Still Here (With the Ones That I Came With)" samples both "Time" by Snoh Aalegra, and "Painting Rainbows" by Skrillex and Bibi Bourelly.

Personnel

[edit]

Musicians

  • Skrillex – programming (all tracks), drum programming (1), all instruments (3, 5, 6, 8–14), vocals (14, 15)
  • Joyryde – programming (1, 2, 6, 7), all instruments (1, 6)
  • Nai Barghouti – additional vocals (1), vocals (8)
  • Rachael Nedrow – additional vocals (1)
  • Chris Lake – all instruments, programming (1)
  • Bobby Raps – vocals (1)
  • Carlos Sosa – saxophone (2)
  • Missy Elliott – vocals (2)
  • Mr. Oizo – vocals (2)
  • Beam – additional vocals (3), vocals (4, 10)
  • Meats (Salamimeats) – additional vocals (3)
  • Joker – all instruments, programming, vocals (3)
  • Sleepnet – all instruments, programming (3)
  • Tom Norris – programming (3)
  • Fred Again – all instruments (4)
  • Elley Duhé – vocals (4)
  • Flowdan – vocals (4, 10)
  • Four Tet – all instruments, programming (5)
  • Bibi Bourelly – vocals (5)
  • Jamie xx – all instruments, programming (6)
  • Aluna – vocals (6)
  • Kito – vocals (6)
  • Eli Keszler – live drums (7, 13), vocals (7)
  • Rasha Mosa – additional vocals (8)
  • Heavy Mellow – all instruments, programming (9)
  • Posij – all instruments, programming (9)
  • Rex Kudo – all instruments, programming (9)
  • Swae Lee – vocals (9)
  • Peekaboo – all instruments, programming (10)
  • Rogét Chahayed – all instruments, programming (10)
  • Pete Wentz – vocals (11)
  • Starrah – vocals (12)
  • Noisia – all instruments, programming (13)
  • Dylan Brady – all instruments, programming (13)

Technical

  • Skrillex – mixing (1–12, 14), mastering (3, 8–11, 14), engineering (all tracks)
  • Joyryde – mixing, mastering (1, 2, 7)
  • Joker – mixing, mastering, engineering (3)
  • Four Tet – mixing (5)
  • Peekaboo – mixing (10)
  • ISOxo – mixing, mastering (12)
  • Manny Marroquin – mixing (13)
  • Luca Pretolesi – mastering (4)
  • Mike Bozzi – mastering (5, 13)
  • Bernie Grundman – mastering (5)
  • Bobby Raps – engineering (1)
  • Drew Gold – engineering (1, 2, 4–6, 9–12, 14)
  • Sleepnet – engineering (3)
  • Fred Gibson – engineering (4)
  • Flowdan – engineering (10)

Charts

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d Petridis, Alexis (February 17, 2023). "Skrillex: Quest for Fire review – restless dance-pop swerves between frustration and innovation". The Guardian. Retrieved February 17, 2023. restless dance-pop swerves between frustration and innovation
  2. ^ Ruiz, Matthew Ismael (February 11, 2023). "Skrillex Announces New Album Quest for Fire". Pitchfork. Retrieved February 12, 2023.
  3. ^ a b Mullins, Ellie (February 11, 2023). "Skrillex announces release date for new album 'Quest For Fire' with new basement set: Watch". We Rave You. Retrieved February 12, 2023.
  4. ^ a b Iasimone, Ashley (February 11, 2023). "Skrillex Announces New Album 'Quest for Fire'". Billboard. Retrieved February 12, 2023.
  5. ^ Kreps, Daniel (February 19, 2023). "Surprise! Skrillex Surprise-Releases Another New Album, 'Don't Get Too Close'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved February 19, 2023.
  6. ^ "QFF/DGTC 23". January 1, 2023. Retrieved February 18, 2023 – via YouTube.
  7. ^ Kreps, Daniel (February 12, 2023). "Skrillex Reveals New Album 'Quest for Fire' Is Arriving Very Soon". Rolling Stone. Retrieved February 16, 2023.
  8. ^ Heffler, Jason (February 11, 2023). "Not a Drill: Skrillex Announces Release Date of First Album Since 2014, "Quest For Fire"". EDM.com. Retrieved February 12, 2023.
  9. ^ a b "Quest for Fire by Skrillex Reviews and Tracks". Metacritic. Retrieved March 7, 2023.
  10. ^ a b "Skrillex - Quest for Fire Album Reviews, Songs & More". AllMusic. February 17, 2023. Retrieved March 7, 2023.
  11. ^ a b Muggs, Joe (February 17, 2023). "Album: Skrillex – Quest for Fire". The Arts Desk. Retrieved February 17, 2023.
  12. ^ a b Armitage, Isabel (February 17, 2023). "Skrillex – Quest For Fire | Reviews". Clash. Retrieved February 19, 2023.
  13. ^ a b Jolley, Ben (February 17, 2023). "Skrillex – 'Quest For Fire' review: hectic return from a huge character". NME. Retrieved February 17, 2023.
  14. ^ a b Ravens, Chal (February 22, 2023). "Skrillex: Quest for Fire / Don't Get Too Close Album Review". Pitchfork. Retrieved February 22, 2023.
  15. ^ a b Bowman, Kirk (February 18, 2023). "Review: Skrillex – Quest for Fire". Sputnikmusic. Retrieved February 19, 2023.
  16. ^ a b Shutler, Ali (February 17, 2023). "Caroline Polachek goes to paradise, Pink loses the attitude – the week's best albums". The Telegraph. Retrieved February 19, 2023.
  17. ^ "The 100 Best Albums of 2023". Rolling Stone. November 30, 2023. Retrieved December 4, 2023.
  18. ^ Leight Walker, Sophie (December 4, 2023). "The Best Albums of 2023 Ranked". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved December 4, 2023.
  19. ^ "ARIA Top 50 Albums Chart". Australian Recording Industry Association. February 27, 2023. Retrieved February 24, 2023.
  20. ^ "Austriancharts.at – Skrillex – Quest for Fire" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved March 1, 2023.
  21. ^ "Ultratop.be – Skrillex – Quest for Fire" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved February 26, 2023.
  22. ^ "Ultratop.be – Skrillex – Quest for Fire" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved February 26, 2023.
  23. ^ "Skrillex Chart History (Canadian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved February 28, 2023.
  24. ^ "Top Albums (Week 8, 2023)". SNEP. Retrieved February 27, 2023.
  25. ^ "Oricon Top 50 Digital Albums: February 27, 2023" (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved February 22, 2023.
  26. ^ "Billboard Japan Hot Albums: 2023/02/27 公開". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). Retrieved February 22, 2023.
  27. ^ "2023 8-os savaitės klausomiausi (Top 100)" (in Lithuanian). AGATA. February 24, 2023. Retrieved February 24, 2023.
  28. ^ "NZ Top 40 Albums Chart". Recorded Music NZ. February 27, 2023. Retrieved February 25, 2023.
  29. ^ "Top 100 Albums Weekly". El portal de Música. Promusicae. Retrieved February 27, 2023.
  30. ^ "Swisscharts.com – Skrillex – Quest for Fire". Hung Medien. Retrieved February 26, 2023.
  31. ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved February 25, 2023.
  32. ^ "Official Dance Albums Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved February 25, 2023.
  33. ^ "Skrillex Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved February 28, 2023.
  34. ^ "Skrillex Chart History (Top Dance/Electronic Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved February 28, 2023.
  35. ^ "Top Dance/Electronic Albums – Year-End 2023". Billboard. Retrieved November 24, 2023.
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