Action Adventure (album)
Action Adventure is the seventh studio album by American music producer DJ Shadow. It was released on October 27, 2023, through Mass Appeal.
| Action Adventure | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | October 27, 2023 | |||
| Length | 57:37 | |||
| Label | Mass Appeal | |||
| Producer | DJ Shadow | |||
| DJ Shadow chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Action Adventure | ||||
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| Aggregate scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Metacritic | 67/100[1] |
| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic | |
| The Irish Times | |
| Louder than War | |
| Mojo | |
| Uncut | 7/10[6] |
Background
Davis offered a first insight into his upcoming musical output on August 9, 2023. In an effort to "get personal" and make music for himself again, he no longer saw a use to "give someone else a runway" or make music that was "formatted for vocalists".[7] With this record, the producer challenged himself to "write music that flexed different energies".[8] In preparation for the production, Davis would buy 200 tapes recorded off an 80s radio mix on eBay and listen to previously unheard records off his 60,000 strong Vinyl records collection.[9] One of the main questions Davis asked himself throughout the recording process was as to which chord progression would be "most natural" and "least predictable".[10] An increasingly personal project, the album reflects his "relationship to music" as well as his "life as a collector and curator".[11]
The producer announced the album release on August 18.[12] Opposed to its predecessor Our Pathetic Age, which contained a multitude of guest appearances, Action Adventure has no featured artists and is "mostly instrumental".[13] Davis shared the lead single "Ozone Scraper" on August 18, a "peppy, synth-powered" track accompanied by a video filmed in Uzbekistan. Directed by Stefano Ottaviano, the visuals capture a "zen-like feeling".[14] Promotion of the album is set to encompass three performance dates in October 2023.[15]
Track listing
All tracks are written by Joshua Davis
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Ozone Scraper" | 3:31 |
| 2. | "All My" | 2:43 |
| 3. | "Time and Space" | 8:21 |
| 4. | "Craig, Ingels, & Wrightson" | 3:09 |
| 5. | "Witches vs. Warlocks" | 4:10 |
| 6. | "A Narrow Escape" | 2:56 |
| 7. | "You Played Me" | 3:28 |
| 8. | "Free for All" | 2:30 |
| 9. | "The Prophecy" | 4:43 |
| 10. | "Friend or Foe" | 2:42 |
| 11. | "Fleeting Youth (An Audible Life)" | 3:32 |
| 12. | "Reflecting Pool" | 7:54 |
| 13. | "Forever Changed" | 3:43 |
| 14. | "She's Evolving" | 4:15 |
| Total length: | 57:37 | |
References
- "Action Adventure by DJ Shadow Reviews and Tracks". Metacritic. Retrieved October 27, 2023.
- Simpson, Paul (October 26, 2023). "DJ Shadow - Action Adventure". AllMusic. Retrieved October 26, 2023.
- Murphy, Lauren (October 27, 2023). "DJ Shadow: Action Adventure – An undoubted sense of nostalgia". The Irish Times. Retrieved October 27, 2023.
- Carey, Wayne (October 22, 2023). "DJ Shadow: Action Adventure – Review – ALBUM OF THE WEEK!". Louder than War. Retrieved October 26, 2023.
- Even when further adrift from the lost funk sampledelia that made his name, Shadow's production brilliance shines through. [Dec 2023, p.90]
- The album flags a bit in the middle but maintains enough propulsion to easily glide past those saggy moments. [Dec 2023, p.34]
- Kress, Bryan (August 18, 2023). "DJ Shadow Announces New Album Action Adventure, Shares "Ozone Scraper": Stream". Consequence. Retrieved August 19, 2023.
- Duran, Anagricel (August 18, 2023). "DJ Shadow announces new LP 'Action Adventure' and shares track 'Ozone Scraper'". NME. Retrieved August 19, 2023.
- Kelly, Tyler Damara (August 18, 2023). "DJ Shadow announces the brand new album, Action Adventure". Line of Best Fit. Retrieved August 19, 2023.
- Turner Williams, Jaelani (August 18, 2023). "DJ Shadow Brings the 'Action Adventure' to Hip-Hop On Forthcoming Album". Okayplayer. Retrieved August 19, 2023.
- Brodsky, Rachel (August 18, 2023). "DJ Shadow – "Ozone Scraper"". Stereogum. Retrieved August 19, 2023.
- Lindert, Hattie (August 18, 2023). "DJ Shadow Announces Album, Shares Video for New Song "Ozone Scraper": Watch". Pitchfork. Retrieved August 19, 2023.
- Hatfield, Amanda (August 18, 2023). "DJ Shadow announces new LP 'Action Adventure,' shares "Ozone Scraper"". BrooklynVegan. Retrieved August 19, 2023.
- Renshaw, David (August 18, 2023). "DJ Shadow announces new album Action Adventure". The Fader. Retrieved August 19, 2023.
- Cohen, Jonathan (August 18, 2023). "DJ Shadow Leans Instrumental On New LP 'Action Adventure'". Spin. Retrieved August 19, 2023.
