U is the debut studio album by English electronic music producer Tourist, released on 6 May 2016 through Monday Records. The album received positive reviews from critics and reached the top 40 of the albums chart in Australia.
| U | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 6 May 2016 | |||
| Genre | Electronic[1] | |||
| Length | 43:26 | |||
| Label | Monday | |||
| Producer | Tourist | |||
| Tourist chronology | ||||
| ||||
Background
editThe album was inspired by the end of a four-year relationship that Tourist had been in.[2]
Critical reception
edit| Aggregate scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Metacritic | 78/100[3] |
| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |    [2] |
| The Line of Best Fit | 7/10[1] |
| Mixmag | 8/10[4] |
U received a score of 78 out of 100 on review aggregator Metacritic based on four critics' reviews, indicating "generally favorable" reception.[3] Paul Simpson of AllMusic found that Tourist "sticks with chopped-up vocal samples, resisting the straightforward pop route that Disclosure traveled on their full-lengths", and remarked that there is "certainly no shortage of gloomy British post-dubstep, but Phillips' work seems to have more of a purpose than just being mopey. His tracks are detailed and subtle, but also kind of perky".[2] Q opined that "the mix is full of voices, all snipped up in fragments or rendered as blurred tones. The results lends his exquisite productions a haunting emotional resonance".[3]
Grant Rindner of The Line of Best Fit called U "an intricate, melancholic and exceptionally well made LP" and felt that Tourist "has a deft touch and gift for melody, making U one of the more engaging electronic debuts we've seen this year".[1] Mixmag's Ben Jolley concluded that the album "pieces together a narrative that reflects on a past relationship; sculpting electronica, garage and piano together effortlessly".[4]
Track listing
editAll tracks are written by William Phillips.
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "U" | 3:57 |
| 2. | "To Have You Back" | 4:34 |
| 3. | "Run" | 5:59 |
| 4. | "Wait" | 5:02 |
| 5. | "My Love (Interlude)" | 2:19 |
| 6. | "Waves" | 6:11 |
| 7. | "Too Late" | 4:27 |
| 8. | "Foolish" | 4:03 |
| 9. | "Separate Ways" | 3:09 |
| 10. | "For Sarah" | 3:45 |
| Total length: | 43:26 | |
Personnel
edit- William Phillips – producer, composition, recording
- Dan Parry – mixing
- Jacob Robinson – artwork
- LT Griffiths – artwork
Charts
edit| Chart (2016) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australian Albums (ARIA)[5] | 39 |
| Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)[6] | 148 |
| UK Album Downloads (OCC)[7] | 51 |
| UK Dance Albums (OCC)[8] | 10 |
| UK Independent Albums (OCC)[9] | 28 |
References
edit- ^ a b c Rindner, Grant (6 May 2016). "Tourist, we like U". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved 4 October 2023.
- ^ a b c Simpson, Paul. "Tourist – U Album Review". AllMusic. Retrieved 4 October 2023.
- ^ a b c "U by Tourist Reviews and Tracks". Metacritic. Retrieved 4 October 2023.
- ^ a b Jolley, Ben (6 May 2016). "Tourist – Reviews". Mixmag. Retrieved 4 October 2023.
- ^ "Australiancharts.com – Tourist – U". Hung Medien. Retrieved 4 October 2023.
- ^ "Ultratop.be – Tourist – U" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 4 October 2023.
- ^ "Official Album Downloads Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 4 October 2023.
- ^ "Official Dance Albums Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 4 October 2023.
- ^ "Official Independent Albums Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 4 October 2023.