Crop Circle is the second studio album by English rapper Nines. It was released on 20 April 2018 by XL Recordings.[1] It is the follow-up to Nines' debut album One Foot Out (2017), which peaked at number 4 on the UK Albums Chart. The album features guest appearances from Dave, Ray BLK, Haile, Tiggs da Author and numerous Ice City Boyz members. Production is handled by 5ive Beatz, Steel Banglez, Beatfreakz, Pinero Beats, Show N Prove and Zeph Ellis.
| Crop Circle | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 20 April 2018 | |||
| Recorded | 2017–18 | |||
| Studio | Wendyhouse Productions (London, England) | |||
| Genre | British hip hop | |||
| Length | 52:19 | |||
| Label | XL Recordings | |||
| Producer |
| |||
| Nines chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Singles from Crop Circle | ||||
| ||||
The album was supported by lead single "I See You Shining", peaking at number 38 on the UK Singles Chart.
Background
editNines' debut album, One Foot Out, was released in February 2017 and entered the UK Albums Chart at number 4, while receiving positive reviews from critics. Nines announced the release of his second album on 17 April 2018 via social media, three days before release.[2]
Promotion
editThe lead single, "I See You Shining", was released on 6 April 2018 for digital download.[3] It peaked at number 37 on the UK Singles Chart, becoming Nines' highest-charting single to date.
A short film written and directed by Nines titled after the album was released on 17 April 2018 to promote the album.[4]
Critical reception
edit| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Pitchfork | 7.5/10[5] |
Ciaran Thapar of Pitchfork summarised that Crop Circle "perhaps lacks some of the standout street anthems that have, in the past, propelled him into hood stardom. But the result is something entirely new, an impressively unconfined body of work. It doubles as a snapshot of London’s cross-pollinating music scene and a signal towards the rapper’s maturation as he continues to transition from being a homegrown talent into an increasingly reputable MC on the world-stage."[5]
Commercial performance
editMidweek forecasts by Official Charts Company slated Crop Circle to enter the UK Albums Chart at number 5.[6] It is set to become Nines' second top 10 album after One Foot Out.
Track listing
edit| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s)[7] | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Pictures in a Frame" | Shadow | 3:29 | |
| 2. | "Rubber Bands" (featuring Ray BLK and Skrapz) |
|
| 3:08 |
| 3. | "Trapstar" (featuring J Styles) |
| 5ive Beatz | 3:34 |
| 4. | "Liz" (featuring Tee Supreme) |
| Mubz Got Beats | 3:59 |
| 5. | "Eagles" (featuring Fundz) |
| Lupe | 3:32 |
| 6. | "Haze" (featuring Fundz) |
| Beatfreakz | 3:03 |
| 7. | "Same Way" |
| Ken Samson | 2:59 |
| 8. | "I See You Shining" |
|
| 2:45 |
| 9. | "Oh My" (featuring SL, Tiggs da Author and Yung Fume) |
| Show N Prove | 4:06 |
| 10. | "Tony Soprano" |
| 5ive Beatz | 2:42 |
| 11. | "Venting" (featuring Dave) |
| John Savage | 2:21 |
| 12. | "Re-Up" (featuring Trapstar Toxic) |
| JB | 2:42 |
| 13. | "Make It Up 2 You" (featuring Haile) |
| Steel Banglez | 3:09 |
| 14. | "Line of Fire Pt. 5" (featuring Likkle T, Fatz, Storm, Fundz and Streetz) |
| Pinero Beats | 5:30 |
| 15. | "Cash Interlude" |
|
| 3:41 |
| 16. | "Outro" |
|
| 1:39 |
| Total length: | 52:19 | |||
- Notes
- "Trapstar" features additional vocals by Streetz.
- "Re-Up" features additional vocals by Jagraj Bains (AKA JB).
- "Cash Interlude" features additional vocals by Rammy Malachi and Ca$h Mon£y (AKA Cash).
- Sample credits
- "Pictures in a Frame" contains a sample of "Long Distance", performed by Brandy and written by Jeff Bhasker, Philip Lawrence, Rodney Jerkins and Bruno Mars.
- "Rubber Bands" contains a sample of "Computer Love", performed by Zapp and written by Roger Troutman and Larry Troutman.
- "Cash Interlude" contains a sample of "Jump Off 2009", performed by Ca$h Mon£y (AKA Cash), written by Cash.
- "Venting" contains a sample of 'Tell Me The Truth' performed by Lapsley.
Personnel
edit- Adam Lunn – engineering, mixing
- Dave Turner – master engineering
Charts
edit| Chart (2018) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)[8] | 99 |
| UK Albums (OCC)[9] | 5 |
Certifications
edit| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom (BPI)[10] | Gold | 100,000‡ |
|
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. | ||
Release history
edit| Region | Date | Format | Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| Various | 20 April 2018 | XL | |
| CD |
References
edit- ^ "Crop Circle by Nines". iTunes. Retrieved 21 April 2018.
- ^ "Nines on Twitter: "Even the aliens know when that shits out. Crop Circle the album available to preorder at midnight. Album out Friday 4/20". Twitter. 17 April 2018. Retrieved 21 April 2018.
- ^ "I See You Shining – Single by Nines". iTunes. Retrieved 21 April 2018.
- ^ "Crop Circle - A Film By Nines". YouTube. 17 April 2018. Retrieved 21 April 2018.
- ^ a b "Nines: Crop Circle Album Review". Pitchfork. 28 April 2018. Retrieved 29 April 2018.
- ^ "The Shires and J. Cole battling to become this week's highest new entry on the Official Albums Chart". Official Charts Company. 23 April 2018. Retrieved 25 April 2018.
- ^ "Meet the producers behind Nines' 'Crop Circle' album". Link Up TV. 22 April 2018. Retrieved 25 April 2018.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Dutchcharts.nl – Nines – Crop Circle" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 27 April 2018.
- ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 28 April 2018.
- ^ "British album certifications – Nines – Crop Circle". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 25 June 2021.