Wikipedia

If Looks Could Kill (Destroy Lonely album)

If Looks Could Kill is the debut studio album by American rapper and singer Destroy Lonely. It was released through Opium and Interscope Records on May 5, 2023.[1] Production was handled by Cxdy, DxnnyFxntom, Lil 88 and TM88, among others. The album is completely devoid of any features with the sole exception being Ken Carson's appearance on the bonus track "Money & Sex". The CD edition of the album was released the same day as the digital version, which contains three new tracks. The vinyl edition of the album was released on August 11, 2023, also containing three new tracks. The deluxe edition of the album, subtitled "Directors Cut", was released on September 29, 2023, including all bonus tracks from all versions. The album serves as a follow-up to his fifth mixtape, No Stylist (2022).

If Looks Could Kill
A figure dressed in all-black standing on the ground, holding an axe
Digital version cover
Studio album by
Destroy Lonely
ReleasedMay 5, 2023
Genre
Length78:47
Label
Producer
  • 2C
  • AM
  • BryceUnknwn
  • Cade
  • Carter
  • Clayco
  • Cristian Jeffries
  • Cxdy
  • DJ Moon
  • DxnnyFxntom
  • Dylxn
  • Esko
  • Farsight
  • Glasear
  • Jonah Abraham
  • Jwade
  • Kastro
  • Keatmn
  • Lil 88
  • Lucian
  • Lukrative
  • Macnificent
  • Mahxie
  • Nathan0nline
  • Okami
  • Ozi
  • ReidMD
  • Slo Meezy
  • ssor.t
  • T8ko
  • Texaco Cam
  • TM88
  • Velveteen
  • Xdkole
  • Y2tnb
  • Y3rip
  • Yybaker
  • Zodiac
Destroy Lonely chronology
No Stylist
(2022) 		If Looks Could Kill
(2023) 		Love Lasts Forever
(2024)
Singles from If Looks Could Kill
  1. "If Looks Could Kill"
    Released: March 3, 2023
Alternative covers
Cover arts for the 4 different editions of If Looks Could Kill. Clockwise from top left: core digital version, vinyl version, CD version and the Directors Cut.

The album was supported by the single "If Looks Could Kill", released on March 3, 2023, after a snippet went viral on TikTok.[2] Single debuted at number 30 on the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.[3] If Looks Could Kill received mostly positive reviews from music critics. The album debuted at number 18 on the US Billboard 200, earning 29,000 album-equivalent units in its first week.

Background and release

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Destroy Lonely revealed the name of the album on September 15, 2022, in a now-deleted Twitter post.[4] Following this, Opium premiered the song “If Looks Could Kill” on March 3, 2023.[5]

On April 28, Destroy Lonely revealed on social media the album art and its release date of May 5.[6] At the same time, a CD and deluxe vinyl release of If Looks Could Kill was announced, both of which would feature bonus tracks not found on the digital release.[7]

Artwork

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On April 27, 2023, the track list of the album was leaked, revealing 26 songs, 25 solo songs and a bonus track with Ken Carson. The next day, Destroy Lonely indicated that the album would be released on May 5, and they showed the album's cover art.[8] It was also revealed that there would be a physical release of this album, both of which would get their own bonus tracks not found on the digital release.[9]

Short film

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Destroy Lonely also released an accompanying musical short film, Look Killa, released the same day as the album.[10]

Critical reception

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Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Pitchfork5.7/10[11]

Alexander Cole of HotNewHipHop gave the album a “Very Hottttt”, stating: “Some might find the 26-track album to be a bit overwhelming, especially when you consider how pretty well every song is handled by Destroy Lonely, and only Destroy Lonely. However, this is one of those albums that you can put on and pick and choose your favorites before making a playlist of them. It is a direct product of the streaming era philosophy. Regardless, fans of DL will most certainly enjoy this new album''.[12]

Kieran Press-Reynolds from Pitchfork stated: "Lonely's music has always radiated a fashion-killer cool and pristine effortlessness, but the dampened vocals and amorphously uneventful beats on If Looks Could Kill are a new level of aloof. The neon joy of his past music is lost in these songs, resulting in an album that’s monochromatic and myopic, a vacuum of formulaic beats and flexes with the odd flicker of genuine creativity.”[11]

Commercial performance

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If Looks Could Kill debuted at number 18 on the US Billboard 200 with 29,000 album-equivalent units in its first week.

Track listing

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If Looks Could Kill track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."How U Feel?"
  • Carter
  • ssor.t
3:53
2."If Looks Could Kill"
  • Sandimanie III
  • Bryson
  • Corey Kerr
  • Ross
  • Carter
  • Clayco
  • ssor.t
3:14
3."Fly Sht"
  • Sandimanie III
  • Arman Andican
  • Ross
  • Bryson
  • Kerr
  • AM
  • ssor.t
  • Carter
  • Clayco
3:30
4."Which One"
  • Sandimanie III
  • Kerr
  • Ross
  • Bryson
  • Cade Blodgett
  • Clayco
  • ssor.t
  • Carter
  • Cade
3:28
5."Raver"
  • Sandimanie III
  • Kerr
  • Kole Samuel
  • John Weir
  • Clayco
  • Xdkole
  • Velveteen
2:11
6."Came In Wit'"
  • Sandimanie III
  • Kerr
  • Y3rip
  • Clayco
  • Y3rip
1:57
7."By the Pound"
  • Sandimanie III
  • Bryan Simmons
  • Corey Moon
  • Slo Meezy
  • Macnificent
  • Cristian Jeffries
  • TM88
  • DJ Moon
  • Slo Meezy
  • Macnificent
  • Jeffries
3:18
8."All the Time"
  • Sandimanie III
  • Blodgett
  • Ozi
  • Cade
  • Ozi
2:19
9."Biggest Problem"
2:44
10."Chris Paul"
  • Sandimanie III
  • Kerr
  • T8ko
  • Samuel
  • Clayco
  • T8ko
  • Xdkole
3:06
11."Superstar"
  • Sandimanie III
  • Ross
  • 2C
  • ssor.t
  • 2C
3:11
12."New New"
  • Sandimanie III
  • Kerr
  • Jonah Abraham
  • Ross
  • Andican
  • Clayco
  • Abraham
  • ssor.t
  • AM
3:23
13."Right Now"
  • Sandimanie III
  • Kerr
  • T8ko
  • Ross
  • Kastro
  • Clayco
  • T8ko
  • ssor.t
  • Kastro
2:36
14."Which Way"
3:10
15."Wagwan"
  • Sandimanie III
  • Kerr
  • Ishmael Hurst
  • Clayco
  • Okami
2:19
16."Moment of Silence"
  • Sandimanie III
  • Bryson
  • Kerr
  • Ross
  • Carter
  • Clayco
  • ssor.t
4:28
17."Brazy Girls"
  • Sandimanie III
  • Rounds
  • Yybaker
  • Blodgett
  • Cxdy
  • Yybaker
  • Cade
2:48
18."Goin' Up"
  • Sandimanie III
  • Kerr
  • Samuel
  • Weir
  • Clayco
  • Xdkole
  • Velveteen
2:26
19."Passenger"
  • Sandimanie III
  • Kerr
  • Weir
  • Y3rip
  • Clayco
  • Velveteen
  • Y3rip
3:13
20."Promo"
  • Sandimanie III
  • Blodgett
  • Kerr
  • Nathan0nline
  • Ross
  • Cade
  • Clayco
  • Nathan0nline
  • ssor.t
4:09
21."Worth It"
  • Sandimanie III
  • Blodgett
  • Kerr
  • T8ko
  • Ross
  • Cyrus Spurlock
  • Cade
  • Clayco
  • T8ko
  • ssor.t
  • Farsight
3:03
22."Redlight"
  • Sandimanie III
  • Bryce Frizzell
  • Travis Nelson Barker
  • Matthew Testerman
  • BryceUnknwn
  • Y2tnb
  • Zodiac
2:57
23."Make Sum Work"
  • Sandimanie III
  • Kerr
  • Abraham
  • Ross
  • Andican
  • 2C
  • Clayco
  • Abraham
  • ssor.t
  • AM
  • 2C
2:44
24."Safety (Interlude)"
  • Sandimanie III
  • Oliver Brown
  • Ross
  • Bryson
  • Kerr
  • John Ong
  • Esko
  • ssor.t
  • Carter
  • Clayco
  • Glasear
5:38
25."Your Eyes"
  • Sandimanie III
  • Rounds
  • Sean Reid
  • Cxdy
  • ReidMD
3:02
Total length:78:47
Bonus track (digital album)
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
26."Money & Sex" (featuring Ken Carson)
  • ssor.t
  • Lucian
4:32
Total length:83:19
Bonus tracks (CD)
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
26."Too Damn Rich"
3:15
27."Spillin'"
  • Sandimanie III
  • Kerr
  • Weir
  • Texaco Cam
  • Clayco
  • Velveteen
  • Texaco Cam
2:21
Bonus tracks (Vinyl)
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
26."Check the Fleet"
  • Sandimanie III
  • Kerr
  • Ross
  • Abraham
  • Clayco
  • ssor.t
  • Abraham
3:56
27."Back Sippin'"
  • Sandimanie III
  • Kerr
  • Bryson
  • Ross
  • Clayco
  • Carter
  • ssor.t
2:28
Bonus tracks (Directors Cut)
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
26."Catch a Kill"
  • Sandimanie III
  • Pierre Thevenot
  • Ross
  • Cişmigiu
  • Brown
  • Lukrative
  • prodbyblezzy
  • ssor.t
  • Lucian
  • Esko
3:11
27."That's My"
  • Sandimanie III
  • Moon
  • Rowe
  • DJ Moon
  • Lil 88
2:31

Charts

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Chart performance for If Looks Could Kill
Chart (2023) Peak
position
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)[13] 184
Canadian Albums (Billboard)[14] 62
Lithuanian Albums (AGATA)[15] 51
Polish Albums (ZPAV)[16] 97
US Billboard 200[17] 18
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)[18] 4

Release history

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Region Date Format(s) Label Ref.
Various May 5, 2023
Interscope, Opium [19]
CD [20]
August 11, 2023 Vinyl [21]

References

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  1. ^ "Destroy Lonely's 'If Looks Could Kill' set to drop on May 5". Our Generation Music. Retrieved April 29, 2023.
  2. ^ "Destroy Lonely kicks off a new era with the hazy single "if looks could kill"". Alternative Press. Retrieved April 29, 2022.
  3. ^ devops (January 2, 2013). "Bubbling Under Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved November 9, 2023.
  4. ^ "https://twitter.com/destroylonely/status/1570575990614790146?s=46&t=odE89IG16kyGoB8T54_LsQ". Twitter. Retrieved August 24, 2023. {{cite web}}: External link in |title= (help)
  5. ^ Neville (March 3, 2023). "Destroy Lonely kicks off a new era with the hazy single "if looks could kill"". Alternative Press Magazine. Retrieved August 24, 2023.
  6. ^ "https://twitter.com/Kurrco/status/1651798911433023488?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1651804474254450688%7Ctwgr%5Ee0915c5f432f10a80e6206f1ca60720136721571%7Ctwcon%5Es3_&ref_url=https://genius.com/albums/Destroy-lonely/If-looks-could-kill-cd-version". Twitter. Retrieved August 24, 2023. {{cite web}}: External link in |title= (help)
  7. ^ "https://twitter.com/Kurrco/status/1651804474254450688?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1651804474254450688%7Ctwgr%5Ebdebbaca9bf559024b766e50755df9927996a46a%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https://genius.com/albums/Destroy-lonely/If-looks-could-kill-vinyl-version". Twitter. Retrieved August 24, 2023. {{cite web}}: External link in |title= (help)
  8. ^ "Destroy Lonely If Looks Could Kill May 5th". Retrieved May 11, 2023 – via Twitter.
  9. ^ "The CD & vinyl releases for If Looks Could Kill contain two additional bonus tracks each..." Retrieved May 11, 2023 – via Twitter.
  10. ^ "Destroy Lonely Drops 'If Looks Could Kill' Album With A Bloody Short Film". Power 100.9. Retrieved May 11, 2023.
  11. ^ a b "Destroy Lonely: If Looks Could Kill". Pitchfork. Retrieved May 10, 2023.
  12. ^ Cole, Alexander (May 5, 2023). "Destroy Lonely Delivers Highly-Anticipated New Album "If Looks Could Kill"". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved May 7, 2023.
  13. ^ "Ultratop.be – Destroy Lonely – If Looks Could Kill" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved May 14, 2023.
  14. ^ "Billboard Canadian Albums: Week of May 20, 2023". Billboard. Retrieved May 16, 2023.
  15. ^ "2023 19-os savaitės klausomiausi (Top 100)" (in Lithuanian). AGATA. May 12, 2023. Retrieved May 12, 2023.
  16. ^ "OLiS - oficjalna lista sprzedaży - albumy" (in Polish). OLiS. Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry. Note: Change the date to 05.05.2023–11.05.2023 under "zmień zakres od–do:". Retrieved May 18, 2023.
  17. ^ @billboardcharts (May 15, 2023). "Debuts on this week's #Billboard200..." (Tweet). Retrieved May 16, 2023 – via Twitter.
  18. ^ "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums: Week of May 20, 2023". Billboard. Retrieved May 16, 2023.
  19. ^ "Destroy Lonely Delivers Highly-Anticipated New Album "If Looks Could Kill"". www.hotnewhiphop.com. May 5, 2023. Retrieved August 23, 2023.
  20. ^ "If Looks Could Kill CD". DESTROY LONELY Official Store. Retrieved August 23, 2023.
  21. ^ "If Looks Could Kill Vinyl". DESTROY LONELY Official Store. Retrieved August 23, 2023.
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