This Chemical Sea
2015 studio album by Jape
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This Chemical Sea is the fifth studio album from Irish recording artist Jape. The album was released on January 23, 2015[1] via Faction Records and reached number 8 in the Irish charts.[9]
| This Chemical Sea | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | January 23, 2015[1] | |||
| Genre | Electronic, electropop, indie | |||
| Length | 44:36 | |||
| Label | Faction Records | |||
| Producer | Richie Egan & Glenn Keating[2] | |||
| Jape chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Hot Press |   [3] |
| The Irish Times | [4] |
| Drowned In Sound | [5] |
| The Last Mixed Tape | [6] |
| State | [7] |
| Nialler9 | [8] |
Recording and Release
The album was written and recorded primarily at Richie Egan's studio in Malmo in Sweden, with fellow Jape member Glenn Keating also working on the album. Villagers front-man Conor O'Brein also features on the record, lending his vocals to the track 'Ribbon Ribbon Ribbon.[citation needed]
'The Heart's Desire' was the first single to be taken from This Chemical Sea and was streamed in October 2014.[10] The album itself was released in January 2015 through Faction Records, reaching the number 8 spot in the Irish album charts.[9]
Track listing
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Seance of Light" | 3:56 |
| 2. | "The Heart's Desire" | 4:06 |
| 3. | "Absolutely Animals" | 3:32 |
| 4. | "Without Life in a Way" | 4:07 |
| 5. | "Metamorphosis" | 5:36 |
| 6. | "Breathe of Life" | 5:21 |
| 7. | "I Go" | 4:14 |
| 8. | "Love on the Crest of a Wave" | 3:50 |
| 9. | "Ribbon Ribbon Ribbon" | 6:09 |
| 10. | "This Chemical Sea" | 3:45 |
Critical reception
This Chemical Sea was received well by critics upon its release, garnering generally positive reviews. Irish Times music critic Tony Clayton-Lea wrote that the album was "As vivid and vital an electro-pop record as you’ll surely hear this year.".[4] While The Last Mixed Tape said "Jape’s latest album feels like a mantra built on hypnotic rhythm, in the moment lyricism and atmospheric openness"[6] Drowned In Sound were also positive about the album and referred to it as "smart electro-pop expertly realised".[5] The record also featured as Nialler9's 'Album of the Week'.[8]
Not all reviews were completely positive, with State.ie commenting "Vocals are buried under the instruments and reverb, making you wish for the heart achingly humble ‘Phil Lynott’."[7]
Personnel
Performers
- Richie Egan – Composer and primary musician
- Conor O'Brien - Vocals on 'Ribbon Ribbon Ribbon'
Technical Personnel
- Recorded by Richie Egan & Glenn Keating
- Mixed by David Wrench
- Mastered by Matt Colton [2]