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Bangarang (EP)

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Bangarang
EP by
Skrillex
ReleasedDecember 23, 2011 (2011-12-23)
RecordedJune–August 2011
Genre
Length30:08
Label
Producer
Skrillex chronology
More Monsters and Sprites
(2011) 		Bangarang
(2011) 		Leaving
(2013)
Singles from Bangarang
  1. "Breakn' a Sweat"
    Released: January 15, 2012
  2. "Bangarang"
    Released: February 16, 2012

Bangarang is the fourth EP by American electronic music producer Skrillex. It was released on December 23, 2011, via Beatport while being released on other digital retailers on December 27, 2011.[2] It was released on January 24, 2012, as a physical CD.[3] It was announced via Skrillex's Twitter page on December 12, 2011, that the album was completed,[4] while the release date was also announced on December 21.[5] The record is mostly a collection of songs that have been previously performed during The Mothership Tour (with the exception of "Right on Time"). It features collaborations with the Doors, Sirah, Wolfgang Gartner, 12th Planet, Kill the Noise and Ellie Goulding. Musically, Bangarang has multiple influences of electro, dubstep and techno, while also incorporating elements of eurodance, drum and bass, rap rock, experimental rock and ska.[6][7] It features syncopated rhythmic build-ups, technical breakdowns and "chopped-up" vocal hooks, as well as multiple vocal samples.[7][8][9][10] An orchestral song was also featured as a bonus track on the iTunes edition.

Bangarang received mixed reviews from music critics, but was a commercial success upon release, charting within Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Norway, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States. Its lead single, "Bangarang", charted in multiple countries worldwide and reached the top 10 in Australia and Belgium. Due to strong digital sales following the album's release, "Kyoto" and "Breakn' a Sweat" charted in multiple countries as well. "Breakn' a Sweat" was featured in the 2012 documentary film Re:Generation. Music videos have been released for "Breakn' a Sweat", "Summit" and "Bangarang". The Bangarang had sold 595,000 copies in the United States by March 2014,[11] and on July 11, 2016, it was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

Composition

[edit]

Musically, while Bangarang prominently uses elements of electro house, dubstep and progressive house, it is more diverse than his previous material, including multiple influences of trance, drum and bass, rap rock, experimental rock and ska.[6][7][improper synthesis?] It uses syncopated rhythmic build-ups, technical breakdowns, "chopped-up" vocal hooks and vocal samples throughout its composition.[7][8][9][10][improper synthesis?]

The first track, "Right In", has multiple influences of dubstep and electro house and has been described as "one long adrenaline rush of stabbing keyboard chords, sawed-off vocal samples and Skrillex's trademark: squirming, squalling synth lines".[12] It has also been compared to the opener on his previous remix EP More Monsters and Sprites, "First of the Year (Equinox)".[13] The title track, "Bangarang", also uses heavy influences of Moombahcore and has been compared to the previous track. It uses "chopped-up vocal hooks" performed by American rapper Sirah, with the last line of the song saying "I'm eating Fun Dip right now/Not givin' a fuck".[14] It has been described as having a "concussive collection of blips and bursts that sounds like something Moby might hear in his head during a heart attack".[15] Breakn' a Sweat was written for the 2012 documentary film Re:Generation. It has been described as combining "proggy guitar hooks, psychedelic organ chords, and Jim Morrison samples with a snarling, Prodigy-esque vocal and a filthy slab of dub bass".[7] It has been highlighted as the most unusual track on the release by several music critics. "The Devil's Den" features guest contributions from Wolfgang Gartner and has been described as "Daft Punk-go-Dirty Vegas". It uses elements of trance, techno, ska and rave.[7][15]

"Right on Time" has been described as "a percussive, hard house collaboration with 12th Planet and Kill the Noise which eventually builds into a feverish slice of happy hardcore",[7] and although it has been complimented for its uniqueness in comparison with the rest of the record, its use of repetition has been criticized. "Kyoto" is a "rap-metal fusion" that is also the second track to feature Sirah.[7] It has been compared to rap rock artists such as Linkin Park and Travis Barker.[16][17] "Summit" is the final track (with the exception of the iTunes edition) and features English singer-songwriter Ellie Goulding. It is an electronic song that has elements of chillstep and uses Skrillex's "chopped up", Auto-Tune vocals.[7][15] Goulding's vocals have been described as "ethereal" and "delicate".[7][12] The iTunes edition of Bangarang includes an "Orchestral Suite" performed by Varien and arranged by Van Dyke Parks.

Critical reception

[edit]
Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic60/100[18]
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[7]
Alternative Press[12]
The A.V. ClubC[17]
Los Angeles Times[19]
MSN Music (Expert Witness)A−[20]
NME4/10[21]
Now3/5[22]
Rolling Stone[14]
Spin7/10[15]
Toronto Star[23]

Bangarang received generally mixed reviews from critics. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream publications, the album received an average score of 60, based on 10 reviews.[18] Dan LeRoy of Alternative Press felt that the album's "go-for-the-throat" songs and "uncomplicated, catchy fun" do not reveal "much about Skrillex's long-term prospects."[12] Evan Rytlewski of The A.V. Club said that, although Skrillex is a "more skillful producer than his detractors give him credit for", he still resorts to "gimmicks" in order to reach his audience.[17] Gavin Haynes of NME found his music artificial, albeit with occasionally "good results".[21] AllMusic's Jon O'Brien observed a "lack of progression" from Skrillex and called the release "disappointingly formulaic". He also felt that even the more unconventional songs are "more headache-inducing than thrilling."[7] Deviant of Sputnikmusic panned its songs as "the same big-boy slab of molten bass drops and screeching whistles", but without a "spark" or "sense of attitude", and accused Skrillex of producing "the same half-assed bass trends".[13]

In a positive review for MSN Music, Robert Christgau called Bangarang an "electronical vista" and said it is "a pop record because its shamelessly hedonistic barrage of proven dancefloor tricks will obviously be more fun at home than in a club."[20] August Brown of the Los Angeles Times felt that, although Skrillex continues his "singular, manic sound", the "quick" tracks that defined his previous work are "more skillful and sonically intriguing".[19] Ben Rayner of the Toronto Star found it "far smarter than Skrillex's reputation for doling out cheap, bludgeoning bass-bin thrills would let on", and wrote that it displays "a remarkable gift for bending innumerable breeds of club music to his will".[23] Garrett Kamps of Spin called it "spracked out and ridiculous and fun and sometimes disposable".[15] Rolling Stone magazine's Jon Dolan called Skrillex "a magician" whose "trick is turning the elusively thwumping U.K. dance music called dubstep into high-fiving dance-floor heavy metal."[14]

Rolling Stone later named Bangarang the fourteenth greatest EDM album of all time.[1] Christgau named it the sixth best album of 2012 in his list for The Barnes & Noble Review.[24] Bangarang won the Best Dance/Electronica Album award at the 55th Grammy Awards, as well as the Best Dance Recording award for the title track.[25]

Track listing

[edit]
Bangarang track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Right In"Sonny MooreSkrillex3:00
2."Bangarang" (featuring Sirah)
  • Moore
  • Sara Mitchell
Skrillex3:35
3."Breakn' a Sweat" (with the Doors)
Skrillex5:02
4."The Devil's Den" (with Wolfgang Gartner)
  • Moore
  • Joseph Thomas Youngman
  • Skrillex
  • Wolfgang Gartner
4:53
5."Right on Time" (with 12th Planet and Kill the Noise)
  • Moore
  • John Dadzie
  • Jacob Stanczak
  • Skrillex
  • 12th Planet
  • Kill the Noise
4:05
6."Kyoto" (featuring Sirah)
  • Moore
  • Mitchell
Skrillex3:21
7."Summit" (featuring Ellie Goulding)MooreSkrillex6:14
Total length:30:08
Digital edition bonus track[26]
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
8."Skrillex Orchestral Suite" (performed by Varien)
  • Moore
  • Nick Pittsinger
Varien6:55

Charts

[edit]

Certifications

[edit]
Certifications for Bangarang
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[49] Platinum 70,000^
Austria (IFPI Austria)[50] Platinum 20,000*
Canada (Music Canada)[51] Platinum 80,000^
Mexico (AMPROFON)[52] Platinum 60,000^
New Zealand (RMNZ)[53] Platinum 15,000^
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland)[54] Platinum 30,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[55] Gold 100,000^
United States (RIAA)[56] Platinum 1,000,000^

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b Dolan, Jon; Matos, Michaelangelo. "The 30 Greatest EDM Albums of All Time: 14. Skrillex, 'Bangarang' EP Big Beat/Atlantic, 2011". Rolling Stone. New York. Archived from the original on June 29, 2013. Retrieved April 28, 2013.
  2. ^ Bangarang EP [Big Beat Records / OWSLA. Beatport. Retrieved on 2012-06-06.
  3. ^ "Bangarang EP Out Now – Blog Detail". Skrillex.com. 2011-12-23. Archived from the original on 2012-01-29. Retrieved 2012-01-30.
  4. ^ "Twitter". twitter.com.
  5. ^ "Twitter". twitter.com.
  6. ^ a b Boles, Benjamin (2012-01-12). "Skrillex – Bangerang EP". Now. Retrieved 2012-03-13.
  7. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l O'Brien, Jon. "Bangarang – Skrillex". AllMusic. Retrieved March 13, 2012.
  8. ^ a b McCall, Tris (2012-01-06). "CD reviews: Skrillex; Rev. Stef and Jubilation; Natasha Paremski". New Jersey On-Line. Retrieved 2012-01-30.
  9. ^ a b Shaw, Andrew (2012-01-03). "Music Review: Skrillex – 'Bangarang EP'". Buzzine. Archived from the original on 2012-02-05. Retrieved 2012-01-30.
  10. ^ a b Lucas, John (2012-01-06). "Skrillex gleefully mashes up genres on seven-song Bangarang EP". The Georgia Straight. Archived from the original on 2012-02-09. Retrieved 2012-01-30.
  11. ^ Hampp, Andrew; Christman, Ed (March 28, 2014). "Is the Beyonce Approach Working for Other 'Surprise' Albums?". Billboard. Retrieved March 29, 2014.
  12. ^ a b c d LeRoy, Dan (January 11, 2012). "Skrillex – Bangarang EP". Alternative Press. Archived from the original on January 25, 2017. Retrieved March 13, 2012.
  13. ^ a b Deviant (December 23, 2011). "Skrillex – Bangarang (staff review)". Sputnikmusic. Retrieved January 30, 2012.
  14. ^ a b c Dolan, Jon (January 12, 2012). "Bangarang". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on January 19, 2012. Retrieved October 15, 2022.
  15. ^ a b c d e Kamps, Garrett (December 23, 2011). "Skrillex, 'Bangarang' (OWSLA/Big Beat/Atlantic)". Spin. Retrieved September 5, 2017.
  16. ^ Vasquez, Mike (2012-02-06). "Music Review: Skrillex – Bangarang EP". The Stylus. Archived from the original on 2014-01-16. Retrieved 2012-03-13.
  17. ^ a b c Rytlewski, Evan (January 24, 2012). "Skrillex: Bangarang". The A.V. Club. Chicago. Retrieved April 28, 2013.
  18. ^ a b "Reviews for Bangarang [EP] by Skrillex". Metacritic. Retrieved September 5, 2017.
  19. ^ a b Brown, August (January 24, 2012). "Album Review: Skrillex's 'Bangarang'". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved January 30, 2012.
  20. ^ a b Christgau, Robert (February 14, 2012). "Skrillex/Clams Casino". MSN Music. Archived from the original on September 14, 2013. Retrieved September 5, 2015.
  21. ^ a b Haynes, Gavin (January 24, 2012). "Skrillex – 'Bangarang'". NME. London. Archived from the original on June 7, 2015. Retrieved April 28, 2013.
  22. ^ Boles, Benjamin (January 12, 2012). "Skrillex – Bangerang EP". Now. Toronto. Retrieved January 30, 2012.
  23. ^ a b Rayner, Ben (January 16, 2012). "Album reviews: Kathleen Edwards' shimmering sadness, Skrillex's mean skills". Toronto Star. Archived from the original on February 12, 2012. Retrieved January 17, 2012.
  24. ^ Christgau, Robert (January 14, 2013). "The Dean's List 2012". The Barnes & Noble Review. Retrieved October 14, 2013.
  25. ^ "Past Winners Search". Grammy Awards. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
  26. ^ "Bangarang EP Digital Album". Warner Music Group. Archived from the original on September 6, 2012. Retrieved August 15, 2012.
  27. ^ "Australiancharts.com – Skrillex – Bangarang EP". Hung Medien. Retrieved June 15, 2012.
  28. ^ "ARIA Dance – Week Commencing 13th February 2012" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association (1146): 17. February 13, 2012. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-03-15. Retrieved April 8, 2013.
  29. ^ "Ultratop.be – Skrillex – Bangarang EP" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved June 15, 2012.
  30. ^ "Skrillex Chart History (Canadian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved September 5, 2017.
  31. ^ "Top 100 México – Semana Del 24 al 30 de Diciembre del 2012" (PDF) (in Spanish). Asociación Mexicana de Productores de Fonogramas y Videogramas. Archived (PDF) from the original on December 20, 2012. Retrieved May 4, 2013.
  32. ^ "Charts.nz – Skrillex – Bangarang EP". Hung Medien. Retrieved June 15, 2012.
  33. ^ "Norwegiancharts.com – Skrillex – Bangarang EP". Hung Medien. Retrieved June 15, 2012.
  34. ^ "Oficjalna lista sprzedaży :: OLiS - Official Retail Sales Chart". OLiS. Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry. Retrieved March 3, 2012.
  35. ^ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved September 5, 2017.
  36. ^ "Swisscharts.com – Skrillex – Bangarang EP". Hung Medien. Retrieved June 15, 2012.
  37. ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved September 5, 2017.
  38. ^ "Official Dance Albums Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved September 5, 2017.
  39. ^ "Skrillex Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved September 5, 2017.
  40. ^ "Skrillex Chart History (Top Dance/Electronic Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved September 5, 2017.
  41. ^ "ARIA Charts – End Of Year Charts – Top 100 Albums 2012". ARIA Charts. Retrieved January 9, 2013.
  42. ^ "ARIA Charts – End Of Year Charts – Top 50 Dance Albums 2012". ARIA Charts. Retrieved January 9, 2013.
  43. ^ "Canadian Albums – Year-End 2012". Billboard. Retrieved September 5, 2017.
  44. ^ "Los Más Vendidos 2012" (PDF) (in Spanish). Asociación Mexicana de Productores de Fonogramas y Videogramas. Archived from the original (PDF) on January 24, 2013. Retrieved April 8, 2013.
  45. ^ "Top Selling Albums of 2012". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved October 10, 2013.
  46. ^ "End of Year 2012" (PDF). UKChartsPlus. Retrieved March 24, 2021.
  47. ^ "Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 2012". Billboard. Retrieved September 5, 2017.
  48. ^ "Dance/Electronic Albums – Year-End 2012". Billboard. Retrieved December 16, 2012.
  49. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2012 Albums" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved August 25, 2012.
  50. ^ "Austrian album certifications – Skrillex – Bangarang" (in German). IFPI Austria. Retrieved September 6, 2022.
  51. ^ "Canadian album certifications – Skrillex – Bangarang". Music Canada. August 17, 2012. Retrieved August 25, 2012.
  52. ^ "Certificaciones" (in Spanish). Asociación Mexicana de Productores de Fonogramas y Videogramas. April 22, 2013. Retrieved September 5, 2017. Type Skrillex in the box under the ARTISTA column heading and Bangarang in the box under the TÍTULO column heading.
  53. ^ "New Zealand album certifications – Skrillex – Bangarang". Recorded Music NZ. September 10, 2012. Retrieved September 5, 2017.
  54. ^ "The Official Swiss Charts and Music Community: Awards ('Bangarang EP')". IFPI Switzerland. Hung Medien. Retrieved September 6, 2017.
  55. ^ "British album certifications – Skrillex – Bangarang EP". British Phonographic Industry. January 18, 2013. Retrieved September 5, 2017.
  56. ^ "American album certifications – Skrillex – Bangarang". Recording Industry Association of America. July 11, 2016. Retrieved May 11, 2020.
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