Ilion is the third studio album by French progressive rock band Slift, released on 19 January 2024 through Sub Pop. It received acclaim from critics.
| Ilion | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 19 January 2024 | |||
| Studio |
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| Genre | Progressive rock | |||
| Length | 79:04 | |||
| Label | Sub Pop | |||
| Producer |
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| Slift chronology | ||||
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Critical reception
edit| Aggregate scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Metacritic | 86/100[1] |
| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [2] |
| Beats Per Minute | 74%[3] |
| Kerrang! | 4/5[4] |
| Sputnikmusic | 5/5[5] |
Ilion received a score of 86 out of 100 on review aggregator Metacritic based on five critics' reviews, indicating "universal acclaim".[1] Fred Thomas of AllMusic called it a "journey" and a "mind-blowing sonic saga that rages, challenges, and changes more times than can be counted", writing that "the music here is dense, powerful, and unrelenting even when it turns down the volume".[2] Olly Thomas of Kerrang! described it as "exhilaratingly expansive music balanced by a sense of darkness and foreboding, travelling simultaneously into outer space and inner turmoil" as well as "an 80-minute, double-vinyl extravaganza of sonic overload".[4]
A staff reviewer for Sputnikmusic stated that "if Ummon felt like floating adrift in space while cosmic rays fried your soul, Ilion is the transition to a plane of existence beyond the cosmos".[5] Ryan Dillon of Glide Magazine felt that the band "blur the lines between rock subgenres for an all-encompassing, full-body listening experience worth your undivided attention".[6] Jasper Willems, reviewing the album for Beats Per Minute, wrote that "these eight tracks explore a more cinematic tension, with no repeating verses and chorus to speak of".[3]
Track listing
editAll tracks are written by Jean Fossat, Rémi Fossat, and Canek Flores.
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Ilion" | 11:08 |
| 2. | "Nimh" | 9:38 |
| 3. | "The Words That Have Never Been Heard" | 12:31 |
| 4. | "Confluence" | 8:36 |
| 5. | "Weavers' Weft" | 9:41 |
| 6. | "Uruk" | 9:54 |
| 7. | "The Story That Has Never Been Told" | 12:34 |
| 8. | "Enter the Loop" | 5:02 |
| Total length: | 79:04 | |
Personnel
editSlift
- Jean Fossat – vocals, guitar, synthesizers, production, mixing
- Rémi Fossat – bass guitar, mixing
- Canek Flores – drums, piano, vibraphone
Additional contributors
Charts
edit| Chart (2024) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Scottish Albums (OCC)[7] | 30 |
| UK Album Downloads (OCC)[8] | 33 |
| UK Independent Albums (OCC)[9] | 7 |
| UK Rock & Metal Albums (OCC)[10] | 6 |
References
edit- ^ a b "Ilion by Slift Reviews and Tracks". Metacritic. Retrieved 24 January 2024.
- ^ a b Thomas, Fred. "Slift – Ilion Album Review". AllMusic. Retrieved 24 January 2024.
- ^ a b Willems, Jasper (23 January 2024). "Album Review: Slift – Ilion". Beats Per Minute. Retrieved 24 January 2024.
- ^ a b Thomas, Olly (18 January 2024). "Album review: Slift – Ilion". Kerrang!. Retrieved 24 January 2024.
- ^ a b Dewinged (19 January 2024). "Review: Slift – Ilion". Sputnikmusic. Retrieved 24 January 2024.
- ^ Dillon, Ryan (17 January 2024). "Slift Blurs All Rock Sub-Genres on All-Encompassing Ilion (Album Review)". Glide Magazine. Retrieved 24 January 2024.
- ^ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 27 January 2024.
- ^ "Official Album Downloads Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 27 January 2024.
- ^ "Official Independent Albums Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 27 January 2024.
- ^ "Official Rock & Metal Albums Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 27 January 2024.