Look to the East, Look to the West
| Look to the East, Look to the West | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 3 May 2024 | |||
| Recorded | Rockfield Studios, Chem19, Clashnarrow Studios | |||
| Genre | Indie pop | |||
| Length | 44:45 | |||
| Label | Merge Records | |||
| Producer | Jari Haapalainen | |||
| Camera Obscura chronology | ||||
| ||||
Look to the East, Look to the West is the sixth album by the Scottish indie pop band Camera Obscura. It their first in 11 years, and the first since the death of keyboardist and backing vocalist Carey Lander in 2015. Donna Maciocia (formerly a member of Amplifico), who joined the band as a permanent member in 2023, fills out Lander's role. The album is produced by Jari Haapalainen, who has previously worked with Camera Obscura.
Background[edit]
Camera Obscura had not played together since Carey Lander died from cancer in 2015. In 2019, the band played a concert as a part of Belle & Sebastian's Boaty Weekender cruise.[1] The band recruited keyboardist and backing singer Donna Maciocia, who also co-wrote several songs on the new album.[2]
Look to the East, Look to the West was recorded in three different studios, including the same room used by Queen to write Bohemian Rhapsody.[2]
The album cover features a photo of Fiona Morrison, who also appears on the cover of Camera Obscura's debut album Biggest Bluest Hi Fi.[1]
Critical reception[edit]
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Allmusic |   [3] |
| Pitchfork Media |   [4] |
Look to the East, Look to the West was met with "universal acclaim" from critics. At Metacritic, which assigns a weighted average rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream publications, this release received an average score of 84, based on 10 reviews.[5]
Track listing[edit]
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Liberty Print" | 5:14 |
| 2. | "We're Going to Make It in a Man's World" | 4:17 |
| 3. | "Big Love" | 2:57 |
| 4. | "Only A Dream" | 4:24 |
| 5. | "The Light Nights" | 4:33 |
| 6. | "Sleepwalking" | 3:40 |
| 7. | "Baby Huey (Hard Times)" | 3:21 |
| 8. | "Denon" | 3:34 |
| 9. | "Pop Goes Pop" | 4:33 |
| 10. | "Sugar Almond" | 3:42 |
| 11. | "Look To The East, Look To The West" | 4:26 |
| Total length: | 44:45 | |
Personnel[edit]
- Tracyanne Campbell – lead vocals, guitar
- Gavin Dunbar – bass
- Lee Thomson – drums
- Kenny McKeeve – guitar, backing vocals
- Donna Maciocia – keyboards, backing vocals
- Jari Haapalainen – production
Charts[edit]
| Chart (2024) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Scottish Albums (OCC)[6] | 4 |
| UK Albums (OCC)[7] | 36 |
| UK Independent Albums (OCC)[8] | 4 |
References[edit]
- ^ a b Clarke, Patrick (8 March 2024). "Camera Obscura share new single and talk "not quite starting again, but getting a new chance"". NME. Retrieved 7 May 2024.
- ^ a b Redfern, Mark. "Camera Obscura Share New Song "We're Going to Make It in a Man's World"". Under the Radar Magazine. Retrieved 7 May 2024.
- ^ Sendra, Tim (3 May 2024). "Look To The East, Look To The West - Camera Obscura : Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards". Allmusic. Retrieved 6 May 2024.
- ^ Howe, Brian (4 May 2024). "Camera Obscura: Look to the East, Look to the West Album Review | Pitchfork". Pitchfork. Retrieved 6 May 2024.
- ^ Look to the East, Look to the West by Camera Obscura, retrieved 6 May 2024
- ^ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 11 May 2024.
- ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
- ^ "Official Independent Albums Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 11 May 2024.
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