Material is the third studio album by American electronica band Blaqk Audio, consisting of Davey Havok and Jade Puget of AFI. it was released on April 15, 2016[1] under Blaqknoise/Kobalt Records.[2] The first single from the album, "Anointed", was released on January 26 for streaming through SoundCloud[3] and through digital retailers on February 19.
Background
Material for the album was written throughout 2014 and was recorded in 2015. Material was originally planned for a release in 2015.[4] Havok has said that the album is lyrically "darker than our records of the past." Music sequencer Ableton Live was used in production of the album.[2]
The album received generally positive reviews from mainstream critics. Neil Yeung, from AllMusic, gave a positive review: "Since their debut in 2007, Blaqk Audio – the electronic outlet for AFI's Davey Havok and Jade Puget – have toyed with the dance sounds and dark tones of new wave".[5] Tomas Doyle, from Rock Sound, also gave a positive review, stating that "the skill and ease of songwriting the duo bring to the table is a delight".[6]
Writing for Rolling Stone, Sally McMullen gave the album a mixed-to-positive review, saying,
The record embodies a seamless fluidity as energetic electro masks some of the more forlorn lyrics on the likes of "I'm a Mess" and "You Will Hate Me". There's a hint of familiarity as Havok's clean vocals soar on "First to Love" and the title track, but the absence of his signature scratchy growl can be unnerving.[7]