What a Relief
| What a Relief | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Studio album by | |
| Released | October 25, 2024 |
| Studio | Sound City (Los Angeles) |
| Genre | |
| Length | 39:20 |
| Label | Saddest Factory |
| Producer | Tony Berg |
What a Relief is the debut studio album by Katie Gavin, lead singer of indie-pop group Muna, released through Saddest Factory Records on October 25, 2024.[1] It is a mix of indie pop and folk.
Background
[edit]Written over the course of seven years, What a Relief comprises a set of songs that Gavin always loved but which "had something in them" that she and her bandmates felt did not quite fit within the universe they were trying to cultivate with Muna. Many of them were written on acoustic guitar.[2]
The album's cover art was photographed by Catherine Opie at Gavin's home.[3]
The album was released on October 25, 2024.[4]
Prior to the album's release, she released three singles "Aftertaste", "Casual Drug Use" and "Inconsolable".[5][6][7][8][9][10]
Critical reception
[edit]| Aggregate scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Metacritic | 77/100[1] |
| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| Clash | 8/10[11] |
| Exclaim! | 6/10[12] |
| The Line of Best Fit | 7/10[13] |
| Paste | 8.3/10[14] |
| Pitchfork | 7.5/10[15] |
According to the review aggregator Metacritic, What a Relief received "generally favorable reviews" based on a weighted average score of 77 out of 100 from 5 critic scores.[1]
Track listing
[edit]All tracks are written by Catherine Gavin; except "Inconsolable" written with Eric Radloff.
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "I Want It All" | 2:46 |
| 2. | "Aftertaste" | 3:24 |
| 3. | "The Baton" | 3:24 |
| 4. | "Casual Drug Use" | 3:11 |
| 5. | "As Good as It Gets" (with Mitski) | 3:02 |
| 6. | "Sanitized" | 4:04 |
| 7. | "Sketches" | 2:51 |
| 8. | "Inconsolable" | 3:32 |
| 9. | "Sparrow" | 3:53 |
| 10. | "Sweet Abby Girl" | 2:56 |
| 11. | "Keep Walking" | 3:06 |
| 12. | "Today" | 2:55 |
| Total length: | 39:20 | |
Personnel
[edit]Musicians
- Katie Gavin – vocals (all tracks), guitar (tracks 1, 9, 12), violin (2, 4), shruti box (2), acoustic guitar (5, 10)
- Geo Botelho – bass (tracks 1, 2, 4, 9, 10, 12)
- Gabe Noel – cello (tracks 1, 7), bass (8)
- Andrea Whitt – pedal steel (tracks 1, 9)
- Josette Maskin – tamburica (tracks 1, 10, 11), guitar (2, 4, 12), bouzouki (2), electric sitar (4), electric guitar (5), acoustic guitar (10), 12-string guitar (11)
- Sarab Singh – drums (tracks 2, 3, 5, 6, 10, 11), percussion (5), tabla (10)
- Benny Bock – synthesizer (tracks 2, 3, 5, 7, 9, 10), pump organ (3), piano (6, 9), Wurlitzer (6), guitar (7), electric birds (9)
- Mason Stoops – guitar (track 2), acoustic guitar (6)
- Nana Adjoa – bass (tracks 3, 5–7, 11)
- Eric Radloff – background vocals (track 3), harmony vocals (10)
- Sara Watkins – fiddle, background vocals (tracks 3, 7)
- Will Maclellan – programming (tracks 4, 5, 7, 10, 12)
- Mitski Miyawaki – vocals (track 5)
- Sean Watkins – guitar, background vocals, mandolin (track 7)
- Tony Berg – Mellotron (track 9), tamburica (11)
- Nate Walcott – trumpet (track 11)
- Harrison Whitford – acoustic guitar (track 11)
Technical
- Tony Berg – production
- Pat Sullivan – mastering
- Will Maclellan – mixing, engineering
- Nana Adjoa – engineering
- Amber Bain – background vocal arrangement (track 4)
Visuals
- Catherine Opie – cover photography
- Moira Barrett – quilt design
- Alexa Terfloth – still life photography, design
- Nick Scott – art direction
Charts
[edit]| Chart (2024) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Scottish Albums (OCC)[16] | 51 |
| UK Albums Sales (OCC)[17] | 43 |
| UK Americana Albums (OCC)[18] | 7 |
| UK Independent Albums (OCC)[19] | 17 |
References
[edit]- ^ a b c "What a Relief by Katie Gavin". Metacritic. Retrieved November 28, 2024.
- ^ Maher, Dani (October 30, 2024). "Katie Gavin on self-compassion and going solo". Harper's Bazaar Australia. Retrieved October 31, 2024.
- ^ Furman, Anna (November 14, 2024). "Q&A: Muna's Katie Gavin on comfort music, creative freedom and her debut solo record". Associated Press. Retrieved November 28, 2024.
- ^ Strauss, Matthew (July 23, 2024). "Muna's Katie Gavin Announces Debut Solo Album, Shares Video for New Song". Pitchfork. Retrieved October 31, 2024.
- ^ Browning, Maddie (July 23, 2024). "Muna's Katie Gavin announces new solo project ahead of Newport Folk Festival performance". WBUR. Retrieved August 13, 2024.
- ^ Carter, Daisy (July 23, 2024). "Muna's Katie Gavin announces debut solo album What a Relief". DIY. Retrieved August 13, 2024.
- ^ Hudson, Alex. "Muna's Katie Gavin Announces Solo Debut 'What a Relief,' Shares New Single "Aftertaste"". Exclaim!. Retrieved August 13, 2024.
- ^ Paul, Larisha (July 23, 2024). "Katie Gavin Bridges Gap Between Muna and Her Debut Solo LP With 'Aftertaste'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved August 13, 2024.
- ^ "Katie Gavin Share New Song "Casual Drug Use": Listen". Stereogum. August 20, 2024. Retrieved October 4, 2024.
- ^ "Katie Gavin of Muna Shares "Inconsolable" Ahead of Solo Debut". Flood. Retrieved October 4, 2024.
- ^ Murray, Robin (October 29, 2024). "Katie Gavin – What A Relief". Clash. Retrieved November 28, 2024.
- ^ Kelly, Rachel (October 23, 2024). "Katie Gavin Is a Little Too Relaxed on 'What a Relief'". Exclaim!. Retrieved November 28, 2024.
- ^ Julia, Adele (November 1, 2024). "Katie Gavin: What A Relief". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved November 28, 2024.
- ^ Gonzalez, Alex (October 28, 2024). "Katie Gavin, 'What A Relief' Album Review". Paste. Retrieved November 28, 2024.
- ^ Lorusso, Marissa (November 6, 2024). "Katie Gavin: What a Relief". Pitchfork. Retrieved November 28, 2024.
- ^ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 2, 2024.
- ^ "Official Albums Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 2, 2024.
- ^ "Official Americana Albums Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 2, 2024.
- ^ "Official Independent Albums Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 2, 2024.