Saves the World

Saves the World is the second studio album by American band Muna, released through RCA Records on September 6, 2019.

Saves the World
Studio album by
Muna
ReleasedSeptember 6, 2019 (2019-09-06)
Genre
Length43:50
Label
Producer
Muna chronology
About U
(2017)		 Saves the World
(2019)
Singles from Saves the World
  1. "Number One Fan"
    Released: June 7, 2019
  2. "Who"
    Released: June 28, 2019
  3. "Stayaway"
    Released: August 16, 2019
Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
AnyDecentMusic?7.6/10[2]
Metacritic82/100[3]
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[4]
Clash[5]
DIY[6]
The Independent[7]
NME[8]
Pitchfork7.7/10[1]
Q80/100[9]
Rolling Stone[10]

Background

After supporting English singer Harry Styles during his 2017–2018 tour, the band took a hiatus until lead singer Katie Gavin concocted the opening verse of the song "Number One Fan" six months later, which intialized the album's songwriting process.[11][12] According to band member Josette Maskin, the album title represents the band's belief that "saving yourself is the key to saving the world".[13]

Music and lyrics

The album's lyrics have been described as explorations of "addiction", "alienation", "romantic desolation", and "cycles of abusive behavior".[11]

Release and promotion

"Number One Fan" was released as the lead single from the album on June 7, 2019,[14] followed by the releases of "Who" and "Stayaway" on June 28 and August 16, respectively.[15][16] Muna embarked on a tour within the United States from September to October 2019 in promotion of the album.[17]

Critical reception

At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the album holds an average score of 82 based on eight reviews, indicating "universal acclaim".[3]

In a perfect five-star review, Alexandra Pollard of The Independent asserted that the album "should see [the band] joining the ranks of those who have brazenly borrowed their sound".[7] Rolling Stone's Jonathan Bernstein awarded the album four stars out of five and praised its "concise and clever" yet "never overly precious" songwriting.[10] Writing for Pitchfork, Eve Barlow highlighted how the album was "as sentimental as it is versatile".[1]

Track listing

Track listing and credits adapted from Tidal.[18]

All tracks are written by Muna.

No.TitleProducer(s)Length
1."Grow"
  • Muna
1:47
2."Number One Fan"
3:25
3."Stayaway"
3:31
4."Who"
  • Crossey
  • Muna
3:08
5."Navy Blue"
  • Crossey
  • Muna
3:58
6."Never"
  • Crossey
  • Muna
4:03
7."Pink Light"
  • Crossey
  • Muna
4:11
8."Taken"
  • Muna
4:05
9."Hands Off"
  • Crossey
  • Muna
3:39
10."Good News (Ya-Ya Song)"
  • Crossey
  • Muna
4:10
11."Memento"
  • Muna
2:01
12."It's Gonna Be Okay, Baby"
  • Muna
5:44
Total length:43:50

Charts
Chart (2019) Peak
position
US Heatseekers Albums (Billboard)[19] 7

Release history
Region Date Format Label Ref.
Worldwide September 6, 2019
RCA Records [20]

References
  1. Barlow, Eve (September 7, 2019). "MUNA: Saves the World Album Review". Pitchfork. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
  2. "Saves the World by MUNA reviews". AnyDecentMusic?. Retrieved August 19, 2020.
  3. "Saves the World by MUNA Reviews and Tracks". Metacritic. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
  4. Donelson, Marcy. "Saves the World - MUNA". AllMusic. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
  5. Murray, Robin (September 6, 2019). "Muna – Saves The World". Clash. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
  6. Tipple, Ben (September 6, 2019). "MUNA - Saves The World". DIY. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
  7. Pollard, Alexandra; White, Adam; O'Connor, Roisin (September 5, 2019). "Album reviews: MUNA – Saves the World, Iggy Pop – Free and Chrissie Hynde – Valve Bone Woe". The Independent. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
  8. Hunt, El (September 3, 2019). "Muna – 'Saves the World' review". NME. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
  9. "Saves the World". Q (published October 2019). September 6, 2019. p. 114 – via Metacritic.
  10. Bernstein, Jonathan (September 6, 2019). "MUNA's 'Saves the World' Is a Synth-Rock Course In Deep California Blues". Rolling Stone. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
  11. Savage, Mark (September 17, 2019). "Muna: Saving the world, one breath at a time". BBC Online. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
  12. Maicki, Salvatore (September 11, 2019). "MUNA are going to save the world". The Fader. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
  13. Cragg, Michael (June 8, 2019). "Muna on Harry Styles, imposter syndrome and Trump-baiting". The Guardian. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
  14. Exposito, Suzy (June 7, 2019). "Muna Preach Unabashed Self-Love in New Single, 'Number One Fan'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
  15. Schramm, Molly (June 28, 2019). "MUNA Deal with the Helplessness of Heartbreak in Video for Their Latest Single "Who"". Paste. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
  16. Martoccio, Angie (August 16, 2019). "Watch Muna Avoid the Past in New Video for 'Stayaway'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
  17. Martoccio, Angie (June 18, 2019). "Muna Announces Fall Headline Tour". Rolling Stone. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
  18. "Saves the World / MUNA". Tidal. Retrieved May 29, 2020.
  19. "Muna Chart History (Heatseekers Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved July 5, 2020.
  20. "Saves the World by MUNA". Apple Music. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
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