404

by Barns Courtney

Overview

Barns Courtney named his second album 404 after the Internet warning that there is nothing located at your destination. Unsurprisingly, 404 teems with references to emptiness, a longing that's evident from the album's opening track -- and lead single -- "Hollow." In addition to providing a thematic salvo, "Hollow" indicates what's in store musically on the rest of 404: it's bright, loud, and active, gaining momentum from Courtney's bellow, bleeping synths, and stomping rhythms. Even the slow tunes on 404 are given this overdriven, oversaturated treatment, a combination that suggests a lone, human voice howling the void. For as much as this digital racket captures a bit of contemporary existentialism, it's also true that 404 is designed as a modern pop album, too, where the darkness lurks in the corner and is overshadowed by shiny, clanging hooks clamoring for attention. It's to Barns Courtney's credit that even when he's surrounded by a din that's constructed of equal parts of Imagine Dragons, the 1975, and James Bey, he comes across as a human presence. Maybe he hits his marks too squarely and with too much volume, but he does give his angst charisma and melody, which is what helps sell the alienation behind 404. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Product Details

Release Date:	09/06/2019
Label:	Capitol
UPC:	0602577586620
Rank:	117326

Tracks

1. Hollow
2. You and I
3. "99"
4. London Girls
5. Fun Never Ends
6. Boy like Me
7. The Kids Are Alright
8. Castaway
9. Babylon
10. Cannonball

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Barns Courtney   Primary Artist
Joseph E-Shine   Guitar,Keyboards,Synthesizer,Bass
Sam Battle   Guitar,Synthesizer,Vocals (Background)
Rob Ketchum   Drums
Richard Leeds   Bass
Agam Timor   Guitar
Clive Deamer   Drums
Nick Evans   Guitar
Tom Dalgety   Piano,Guitar
Blake Davies   Drums

Technical Credits

Simon Katz   Arranger,Composer
Joseph E-Shine   Engineer
Barns Courtney   Composer,Instrumentation
Sam Battle   Composer,Engineer,Producer,Programming,Instrumentation
Josh Bruce Williams   Composer
Danny Murcia   Composer,Additional Production
Russell Harley-Jones   Composer
Agam Timor   Engineer
Lua Ocana   Cover Photo
Pablo Maestres   Cover Photo,Original Idea
Mike Crossey   Producer
Olly burden   Engineer
Dan Grech-Marguerat   Mixing,Additional Production
Tom Dalgety   Producer,Programming,Additional Production
John Davis   Mastering
Neil Ormandy   Composer
Daniel Murcia   Composer