Razzmatazz (album)
Razzmatazz (stylized in all caps; sometimes as RΛZZMΛTΛZZ) is the debut studio album by American musical duo I Dont Know How But They Found Me. It was originally set to be released by Fearless Records on October 16, 2020, but was pushed back to October 23, 2020[5] due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[6][7]
| Razzmatazz | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | October 23, 2020 | |||
| Recorded | 2020[lower-alpha 1] | |||
| Studio | Pagzilla Sound (North Hollywood, California) | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 37:15 (digital) 41:59 (physical) | |||
| Label | Fearless | |||
| Producer |
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| I Dont Know How But They Found Me chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Razzmatazz | ||||
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Promotion
Over two years prior to the album's release, the song "Nobody Likes The Opening Band" was released as a free download on their website on March 14, 2018, accompanied with a music video.[8] On August 5, 2020, the band released a lyric video for the album's lead single "Leave Me Alone" along with the announcement of the album's title and release date.[9] On September 16, the title track "Razzmatazz" was released, alongside a lyric video.[10] On October 2, the third single "New Invention" was released, alongside a lyric video.[7] On January 25, the band performed Leave Me Alone on Jimmy Kimmel Live!,[11][12] As well as The Ellen DeGeneres Show on February 23.[13][14]
For Record Store Day in June of 2021, the band released Razzmatazz B-Sides as an exclusive picture disc. This EP included one new bonus track, Mx. Sinister, a cover of Debra by Beck, and reimagined versions of Leave Me Alone and Modern Day Cain.[15]
In mid-2021 the band resumed touring following the lifting of pandemic restrictions. Their first show back in front of an audience included live debuts of most of the songs off Razzmatazz. The band would tour internationally for various festivals and are set to continue touring for the album cycle. Their fall Razzmatazz Tour will follow another leg in early 2022 entitled The Thought Reform Tour.
On November 19th, the band released Razzmatazz: Deluxe Edition which includes a cover of "Boys Don't Cry" by The Cure. This version also includes New Invention featuring Tessa Violet, live content, and material previously only found on their limited B-Side release, as well as a demo of the song From The Gallows.
Critical reception
| Aggregate scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Metacritic | 84/100[16] |
| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic | |
| DIY | |
| Kerrang! | 4/5[19] |
| The Line of Best Fit | 8.5/10[20] |
Razzmatazz received positive reviews from music critics. On Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 from reviews from critics, the album has an average score of 84, which indicates "universal acclaim" based on 4 reviews.[16] DIY described the album as "melding together '80s synths, baroque piano and pithy, self deprecating choruses", while adding that it is "fun, flamboyant, and entirely of its time".[18] The Line of Best Fit praised frontman Dallon Weekes' lyricism in the songs "Mad IQs" and "Clusterhug", as well as his bass guitar work in "Sugar Pills" and "New Invention".[20]
Track listing
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Leave Me Alone" | Dallon Weekes | Tim Pagnotta | 3:35 |
| 2. | "Mad IQs" |
|
| 3:02 |
| 3. | "Nobody Likes the Opening Band" | Weekes | Weekes | 2:15 |
| 4. | "New Invention" |
| Pagnotta | 3:11 |
| 5. | "From the Gallows" | Weekes | Pagnotta | 2:42 |
| 6. | "Clusterhug" | Weekes | Pagnotta | 3:12 |
| 7. | "Sugar Pills" |
| Pagnotta | 3:07 |
| 8. | "Kiss Goodnight" | Weekes | Pagnotta | 3:50 |
| 9. | "Lights Go Down" |
| Pagnotta | 3:24 |
| 10. | "Need You Here" |
| Pagnotta | 3:07 |
| 11. | "Door" | Weekes | Weekes | 1:32 |
| 12. | "Razzmatazz" |
| Pagnotta | 4:18 |
| Total length: | 37:15 | |||
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Leave Me Alone" | Weekes | Pagnotta | 3:44 |
| 2. | "Indoctrination" | Weekes | Pagnotta | 1:11 |
| 3. | "Mad IQs" |
|
| 3:02 |
| 4. | "Nobody Likes the Opening Band" | Weekes | Weekes | 2:15 |
| 5. | "New Invention" |
| Pagnotta | 3:51 |
| 6. | "From the Gallows" | Weekes | Pagnotta | 2:42 |
| 7. | "Clusterhug" | Weekes | Pagnotta | 3:35 |
| 8. | "Sugar Pills" |
| Pagnotta | 3:33 |
| 9. | "Kiss Goodnight" | Weekes | Pagnotta | 3:50 |
| 10. | "Lights Go Down" |
| Pagnotta | 3:43 |
| 11. | "Need You Here" |
| Pagnotta | 3:29 |
| 12. | "Door" | Weekes | Weekes | 1:29 |
| 13. | "Tomorrow People" | Weekes | Pagnotta | 1:19 |
| 14. | "Razzmatazz" |
| Pagnotta | 4:18 |
| Total length: | 41:59 | |||
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13. | "New Invention" (featuring Tessa Violet) |
| Pagnotta | 3:11 |
| 14. | "Boys Don't Cry" (The Cure cover) | Weekes | 3:15 | |
| 15. | "Leave Me Alone" (Live From A TV Studio) | Weekes | Weekes | 3:40 |
| 16. | "New Invention" (Fisch Loops Remix) |
| Fisch Loops | 3:06 |
| 17. | "From the Gallows" (Demo) | Weekes | Weekes | 2:29 |
| 18. | "Modern Day Cain" (Slow Jam version) | Weekes | Weekes | 2:58 |
| 19. | "Sugar Pills" (Live From London / 2021) |
| Weekes | 3:57 |
| Total length: | 59:51 | |||
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Mx. Sinister" | Weekes | Weekes | 3:02 |
| 2. | "Modern Day Cain" (Slow Jam version) | Weekes | Weekes | 2:58 |
| 3. | "Leave Me Alone" | Weekes | Pagnotta | 3:44 |
| 4. | "Debra" (Beck cover) |
| Weekes | 4:36 |
| 5. | "From the Gallows" (Demo) | Weekes | Weekes | 2:31 |
| 6. | "Leave Me Alone" (Piano version) | Weekes | Weekes | 3:32 |
| Total length: | 20:23 | |||
Personnel
I Dont Know How But They Found Me
- Dallon Weekes – lead vocals, bass, guitar, piano, keyboards, synthesizers, ukulele, production
- Ryan Seaman – drums, percussion, backup vocals
Additional musicians
- Ian Walsh – guitar
- Matt Appleton – saxophone
- Alex Nauth – trumpet
- Amelie Weekes - vocals on "Need You Here"
Charts
| Chart (2020) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| UK Albums (OCC)[22] | 87 |
| US Billboard 200[23] | 122 |
| US Heatseekers Albums (Billboard)[24] | 2 |
| US Independent Albums (Billboard)[25] | 26 |
| US Top Album Sales (Billboard)[26] | 22 |
| US Top Alternative Albums (Billboard)[27] | 11 |
| US Top Rock Albums (Billboard)[28] | 22 |
| US Vinyl Albums (Billboard)[29] | 23 |
Release history
| Region | Date | Label | Format | Catalog |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Various | October 23, 2020 | Fearless | CD, LP, digital download, streaming | FEAR01397 |
Notes
- All tracks except for "Nobody Likes the Opening Band"
References
- "Razzmatazz by I Don't Know How But They Found Me". Rate Your Music. Retrieved 2020-12-03.
- "I Don't Know How But They Found Me - RAZZMATAZZ - Reviews". Album of the Year. Retrieved 2020-12-03.
- Trevan, Kelsey (2020-10-21). "iDKHOW – Razzmatazz (Album Review)". Wall of Sound AU. Retrieved 2020-12-03.
- Speter, Tiana (2020-10-11). "Album Review: Razzmatazz (iDKHOW)". The Soundcheck. Retrieved 2020-12-03.
- "I Dont Know How But They Found Me". Fearless Records. Retrieved 2020-10-10.
- "In cooperation with TELLEXX, we here at iDKHOW are proud to present 'Razzmatazz'..." 5 August 2020. Retrieved 2020-09-23 – via Twitter.
- "iDKHOW presents: BAD NEWS/GOOD NEWS with DW". 1 October 2020. Retrieved 2020-12-03 – via Twitter.
- "Hear IDKHBTFM's dreamy new song, "Nobody Likes The Opening Band"". Alternative Press. Retrieved 25 March 2018.
- "I DONT KNOW HOW BUT THEY FOUND ME – Leave Me Alone (Lyric Video)". Youtube. 5 August 2020.
- "'Razzmatazz' (the song) is now available..." 16 September 2020. Retrieved 2020-12-03 – via Twitter.
- Dowd, Rachael (26 January 2021). "iDKHOW just made their late-night TV debut with "Leave Me Alone"—watch: They appeared on Monday's episode of 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!'". Alternative Press. Retrieved 27 January 2021.
- I Don’t Know How But They Found Me (26 January 2021). "Leave Me Alone". Jimmy Kimmel Live. youtube. Retrieved 27 January 2021.
- Lew, Audrey (February 22, 2021). "News Flashes 02.22.21: The Irregulars, iDKHow on Ellen, HFPA Ethics". idobi.com. Retrieved 2021-09-21.
- I DONT KNOW HOW BUT THEY FOUND ME Rocks Out!, retrieved 2021-09-21
- "I DON'T KNOW HOW BUT THEY FOUND ME - RAZZMATAZZ (B-Sides)". Rough Trade. Retrieved 2021-09-21.
- "Reviews for Razzmatazz by I Don't Know How but They Found Me". Metacritic. Retrieved 11 February 2021.
- Yeung, Neil Z. "Razzmatazz – I Don't Know How but They Found Me | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved October 23, 2020.
- Jamieson, Sarah. "I Dont Know How But They Found Me – Razzmatazz". DIY. Retrieved October 23, 2020.
- McLaughlin, David (October 22, 2020). "Album Review: iDKHOW – Razzmatazz". Kerrang!. Retrieved October 23, 2020.
- Simon-Bashall, Sophia (October 20, 2020). "I Don't Know How But They Found Me's debut is a brightly lit, dance-ready time machine". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved October 23, 2020.
- "RAZZMATAZZ (Deluxe Edition)". Spotify. Retrieved 2021-11-18.
- "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 30, 2020.
- "I Dont Know How But They Found Me Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved November 3, 2020.
- "I Dont Know How But They Found Me Chart History (Heatseekers Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved November 3, 2020.
- "I Dont Know How But They Found Me Chart History (Independent Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved November 3, 2020.
- "I Dont Know How But They Found Me Chart History (Top Album Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved November 3, 2020.
- "I Dont Know How But They Found Me Chart History (Top Alternative Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved November 3, 2020.
- "I Dont Know How But They Found Me Chart History (Top Rock Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved November 3, 2020.
- "I Dont Know How But They Found Me Chart History (Vinyl Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved November 3, 2020.
