Cracks (Bendik Giske album)
| Cracks | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 27 August 2021 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 33:39 | |||
| Label | Smalltown Supersound | |||
| Producer |
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| Bendik Giske chronology | ||||
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Cracks is a studio album by Norwegian saxophonist Bendik Giske. It was released on 27 August 2021 through Smalltown Supersound. It received generally favorable reviews from critics.[2] It was nominated for the 2022 Nordic Music Prize.[3]
Background
Bendik Giske is a Norwegian saxophonist.[4] Cracks is his second solo studio album, following Surrender (2019).[5] It consists of five songs.[5] He drew inspiration from José Esteban Muñoz's book Cruising Utopia.[6] A music video was released for the song "Flutter".[7] Cracks was released on 27 August 2021 through Smalltown Supersound.[8]
Prior to the album's release, Giske released Cruising (Laurel Halo Remixes), which contains Laurel Halo's two remixes of the song "Cruising".[9]
Critical reception
| Aggregate scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Metacritic | 75/100[2] |
| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic | [10] |
| The Guardian | [11] |
| Pitchfork | 7.5/10[12] |
| Uncut | 8/10[13] |
According to the review aggregator Metacritic, Cracks received "generally favorable reviews" based on a weighted average score of 75 out of 100 from 5 critic scores.[2]
Louis Pattison of Uncut stated, "using circular breathing and a rhythmic sense derived from electronic club music, Giske spins the likes of 'Cruising' and 'Void' into bold extended pieces that are gripping in their poignancy and intensity."[13] Paul Simpson of AllMusic described the album as "an illuminating exploration of cyclical energy, both inside and outside the body."[10] Dave Segal of Pitchfork stated, "Throughout Cracks, Giske appears to be striving for an alien, private vocabulary with an instrument saddled with 175 years of tradition and tropes."[12] He added, "Against great odds, he succeeds."[12]
The album was nominated for the 2022 Nordic Music Prize.[3]
Track listing
All tracks are written by Bendik Giske, except "Cracks" written by Giske and André Bratten.
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Flutter" | 4:04 |
| 2. | "Cruising" | 10:26 |
| 3. | "Void" | 4:27 |
| 4. | "Cracks" | 8:28 |
| 5. | "Matter (Part 3)" | 6:12 |
| Total length: | 33:39 | |
Personnel
Credits adapted from liner notes.[14]
- Bendik Giske – performance
- André Bratten – performance (4), production, mixing
- Joakim Haugland – production
- Beau Thomas – mastering
- Kim Hiorthøy – artwork
References
- ^ a b Sherburne, Philip (9 December 2021). "Ambient Jazz's Quiet, Forceful Return". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on 20 June 2022. Retrieved 11 October 2025.
- ^ a b c "Cracks by Bendik Giske". Metacritic. Archived from the original on 21 May 2022. Retrieved 11 October 2025.
- ^ a b "Nordic Music Prize 2022 Nominees". Nordic Music Prize. Archived from the original on 3 June 2023. Retrieved 11 October 2025.
- ^ Simpson, Paul. "Bendik Giske". AllMusic. Retrieved 11 October 2025.
- ^ a b Bloom, Madison (27 August 2021). "8 New Albums You Should Listen to Now: Indigo De Souza, Turnstile, Big Red Machine, Chvrches, and More". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on 20 January 2022. Retrieved 11 October 2025.
- ^ Helfet, Gabriela; Rugoff, Lazlo; Whittington, Alice; Hill, Emily; Hammond, James (27 August 2021). "Our 10 favourite new vinyl releases this week (27th August)". The Vinyl Factory. Archived from the original on 13 May 2022. Retrieved 11 October 2025.
- ^ "Bendik Giske - Flutter". YouTube. 29 June 2021. Retrieved 11 October 2025.
- ^ "Cracks | Bendik Giske". Bandcamp. Archived from the original on 4 October 2021. Retrieved 11 October 2025.
- ^ "Cruising (Laurel Halo Remixes) | Bendik Giske". Bandcamp. Archived from the original on 15 September 2021. Retrieved 11 October 2025.
- ^ a b Simpson, Paul. "Cracks - Bendik Giske". AllMusic. Retrieved 11 October 2025.
- ^ Lewis, John (27 August 2021). "Bendik Giske: Cracks review – cleverly deconstructed sax". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 1 October 2021. Retrieved 11 October 2025.
- ^ a b c Segal, Dave (27 August 2021). "Bendik Giske: Cracks". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on 12 August 2022. Retrieved 11 October 2025.
- ^ a b Pattison, Louis (December 2021). "New Albums". Uncut. p. 27.
- ^ Bendik Giske (2021). Cracks (vinyl booklet). Smalltown Supersound.