Forever (Mystery Skulls album)

Forever is the debut studio album by American band Mystery Skulls. Produced by Luis Dubuc, Cory Kilduff and John LaMonica. It was released on October 27, 2014, through Warner Bros. Records as the band's major label debut.

Forever
Studio album by
Mystery Skulls
ReleasedOctober 27, 2014 (2014-10-27)
Recorded2013–14
Genre
Length41:06
LabelWarner Bros. Records
Producer
Mystery Skulls chronology
Mystery Skulls - EP
(2011)		 Forever
(2014)		 Ultra Rare Vol. 1
(2015)
Singles from Forever
  1. "Ghost"
    Released: 2014[1][2][3]
  2. "Paralyzed"
    Released: 2014[4]
  3. "Number 1"
    Released: 2014[5][6][7]
  4. "Magic"
    Released: 2014[8]

Background

The project was formed in 2011 by Luis Dubuc after his previous project, The Secret Handshake, was dissolved.[9] Dubuc initially announced the project on August 8, 2011 via the Mystery Skull's official Tumblr account, where they posted a video of the song Amazing.[10] He later followed this post with a 5-song EP on December 30, 2011.[11] Since then Mystery Skulls has performed in multiple college towns, signed with Warner Bros. Records, and has collaborated with multiple artists such as Brandy Norwood and Nile Rodgers.[12][13]

Reception

Critical
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic[14]

Critical reaction to Forever was mixed to positive. In an extremely positive review of the album, Matt Collar of Allmusic said: The debut full-length album from Los Angeles' Mystery Skulls, 2014's Forever, showcases the group's infectious, '80s-influenced disco, R&B, and dance-oriented soul. Primarily centered around the talents of lead singer, songwriter, and musical mastermind Luis Dubuc, Mystery Skulls make pulsing, laser-toned R&B that touches upon vintage '70s and '80s club music as much as it does contemporary R&B, techno, and EDM. In that sense, cuts like "The Future," "Fantasy," and "Forever" fit just as nicely alongside cuts by Daft Punk and Grum as they do tracks from such similarly inclined artists as Sam Sparro and Justin Timberlake. What helps set Mystery Skulls apart from the rest of the electro-R&B pack is Dubuc's lithe vocal abilities. Blessed with soulful phrasing, a burnished middle vocal range, and a knack for ascending into a lusty falsetto croon, Dubuc comes across as less the pulsating center of a robotic hive mind, à la Daft Punk, and more like an improbable cross between Fall Out Boy's Patrick Stump and '90s R&B prodigal son D'Angelo. It also doesn't hurt the album, or Dubuc's cred for that matter, that he's joined here on "Magic" and "Number 1" by both Chic guitar legend Nile Rodgers and '90s soul diva Brandy. Musically, while most of the songs on Forever are set to deep programmed grooves and heavy synth basslines, Dubuc nonetheless strikes an even balance between his use of synthesizer (his main instrument), real piano, drums, and orchestral strings. Ultimately, it's this sophisticated balance that helps Forever sound both organic and computerized, warmly familiar, and utterly fresh.[15]

Commercial

The album debuted on Billboard 200 at No. 141, and No. 3 on the Dance/Electronic Albums chart, selling 3,000 units in its first week.[16]

Track listing
No.TitleLength
1."Forever"3:19
2."The Future"3:43
3."Paralyzed"3:08
4."Hellbent (feat. Snowblood)"2:53
5."Fantasy"3:13
6."Ghost"4:19
7."Magic" (featuring Brandy & Nile Rodgers)4:28
8."Number 1" (featuring Brandy & Nile Rodgers)3:43
9."When I'm with You"3:52
10."Body High"3:20
11."Every Note"5:08
Total length:41:06

Charts
Chart Peak
position
US Billboard 200[17] 141
US Top Electronic Albums[18] 3
US Top Heatseekers[19] 2

References
  1. Loza, Larissa. "Exclusive: Mystery Skulls Reveals His "Ghost," Talks Warner Bros Deal, Nile Rodgers Collab". Vibe. Retrieved 29 October 2014.
  2. Barkan, Jonathan. "Mystery Skulls Spoofs 'The Exorcist' With "Ghost" Music Video". Bloody Disgusting. Retrieved 29 October 2014.
  3. "EXORCISE YOUR DANCE DEMONS WITH MYSTERY SKULLS' NEW VIDEO". Vice. Archived from the original on 29 October 2014. Retrieved 29 October 2014.
  4. Young, Killian. "A Grim Basketball Game Sets the Scene for Mystery Skulls' 'Paralyzed' Video". Spin. Retrieved 29 October 2014.
  5. Daw, Robbie. "Mystery Skulls, Brandy & Nile Rodgers Just Dropped "Number 1," The Best New Track You'll Hear This Week: Listen". Idolator. Retrieved 29 October 2014.
  6. Augustin, Camille. "New Music: Mystery Skulls Links With Brandy & Nile Rodgers For 'Number 1'". Vibe. Retrieved 29 October 2014.
  7. Anderson, Trevor. "Mystery Skulls, Lion Babe & Zella Day: Emerging Picks of the Week". Billboard. Retrieved 2 November 2014.
  8. Daw, Robbie. "There's Another Mystery Skulls, Brandy & Nile Rodgers Song, And It's Appropriately Titled "Magic": Listen". Idolator. Retrieved 29 October 2014.
  9. Abbate, Jake. "Mystery Skulls will perform songs inspired by past influences". PSU Collegian. Retrieved 29 October 2014.
  10. "Mystery Skulls Tumblr First Post". 2011-08-08. Retrieved 2012-09-27.
  11. "5 Song EP Available On Bandcamp". 2011-12-30. Retrieved 2012-09-27.
  12. "Day Off: Mystery Skulls". 2013-06-12. Retrieved 2013-06-20.
  13. Gabrielle Nicole, Pharms. "Mystery Skulls Talks New Album And Collaborating with Brandy & Nile Rodgers". Life+Times. Retrieved 29 October 2014.
  14. http://www.allmusic.com/artist/mystery-skulls-mn0003314744
  15. http://www.allmusic.com/album/forever-mw0002753839
  16. Gordon Murray (November 6, 2014). "Dillon Francis On the 'Money' With No. 2 Dance Debut". Billboard.
  17. http://www.billboard.com/artist/6304642/mystery-skulls/chart
  18. http://www.billboard.com/artist/6304642/mystery-skulls/chart?f=322
  19. http://www.billboard.com/artist/6304642/mystery-skulls/chart?f=324
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