Stay Together (album)
2016 studio album by Kaiser Chiefs
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Stay Together is the sixth studio album by Kaiser Chiefs, released on 7 October 2016. The album's name is a reference to the opening track "We Stay Together".[1][2] The first single from the album, "Parachute", was released on 14 June 2016. The second single, "Hole In My Soul" was released 18 August 2016 and the third and final single, "We Stay Together" was released on 9 December 2016. The album marked a notable shift in the band's sound, incorporating more electronic and synth-pop elements.
| Stay Together | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 7 October 2016 | |||
| Recorded | 2015–2016 | |||
| Genre | Pop rock | |||
| Length | 51:41 | |||
| Label | Fiction | |||
| Producers | Kaiser Chiefs, Brian Higgins | |||
| Kaiser Chiefs chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Stay Together | ||||
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Recording and style
The album features a dance-oriented sound and includes songs that explore a range of topics, including monogamy ("We Stay Together") and sex ("Good Clean Fun").[3] In contrast to the album's predecessor, Education, Education, Education and War, which was more focused on politics and the perils of war, the Kaiser Chiefs made Stay Together with a focus on love and relationships. Wilson elaborated further on the stark contrast between the last album and Stay Together: "The thing about writing a protest album is it's straightforward. Only an idiot would disagree with you. You're just saying war is bad. But when you start talking about relationships like on this record it's harder because there’s a lot more blurred lines. There's no right or wrong”.[4]
A sold out UK arena tour followed with critics describing the tour as “WILD, energetic and memorable”.[5]
Promotion
On 13 June 2016, Kaiser Chiefs released a song titled "Parachute" onto their YouTube account,[6] and later a music video. Two months later, on 18 August 2016, the band released the second single, "Hole in My Soul".[7]
On 9 December, "We Stay Together" was released.
Numerous TV performances and appearances followed including; Sunday Brunch,[8] BBC Breakfast[9] and Mrs Brown's Boys.[10]
Singles
| Aggregate scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Metacritic | 59/100[11] |
| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |    [12] |
| The Daily Telegraph | [13] |
| The Guardian | [14] |
On 14 June 2016, Kaiser Chiefs released the lead single, "Parachute", with a music video following on 20 June.
On 18 August 2016, the band released the second single, "Hole in My Soul".
Commercial performance
The album peaked at 4 on the UK Albums Chart[15] and produced two top 40 airplay hits in "Hole In My Soul" and "Parachute".
Track listing
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "We Stay Together" |
| 4:32 |
| 2. | "Hole in My Soul" |
| 4:28 |
| 3. | "Parachute" |
| 3:52 |
| 4. | "Good Clean Fun" |
| 5:08 |
| 5. | "Why Do You Do It to Me?" |
| 4:26 |
| 6. | "Indoor Firework" |
| 3:57 |
| 7. | "Press Rewind" |
| 5:01 |
| 8. | "Happen in a Heartbeat" |
| 3:20 |
| 9. | "High Society" |
| 3:47 |
| 10. | "Sunday Morning" |
| 4:30 |
| 11. | "Still Waiting" (ends at 4:44, hidden track "Lazor Jam" starts at 5:40) |
| 8:41 |
Personnel
- Kaiser Chiefs
- Ricky Wilson – lead vocals, percussion
- Andrew "Whitey" White – guitar, backing vocals
- Simon Rix – bass guitar, backing vocals
- Nick "Peanut" Baines – keyboards
- Vijay Mistry – drums, percussion
Charts
| Chart (2016) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)[16] | 89 |
| Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia)[17] | 105 |
| Scottish Albums (Official Charts)[18] | 4 |
| Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)[19] | 88 |
| UK Albums (Official Charts)[20] | 4 |