Don't Know What's Cool Anymore

After a 6-year hiatus, Alphabeat announced their return on 1 March 2019 with the single "Shadows".{{cite web |title=Alphabeat return after six years with new song "Shadows" |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/alphabeat-are-back-2455887|website=NME |accessdate=1 September 2019 |date=1 March 2019}} At the same time, they announced plans for a fourth studio album, citing a release window of October 2019.{{cite web |title=Alphabeat talk about their comeback and new single Shadows: "We've found something special again" |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/alphabeat-talk-about-their-comeback-and-new-single-shadows-weve-found-something-special-again__25698/|publisher=Official Charts Company |accessdate=1 September 2019 |date=1 March 2019}} In Denmark, "Shadows" reached number 19 on the singles chart{{cite web|url=https://danishcharts.dk/showitem.asp?interpret=Alphabeat&titel=Shadows&cat=s|title=danishcharts.dk - Alphabeat - Shadows|work=danishcharts.dk|accessdate=11 October 2019}} and was certified Gold.{{cite web |title=Alphabeat "Shadows" - IFPI |url=http://www.ifpi.dk/node/8695 |website=IFPI Denmark |date=5 November 2019|accessdate=7 December 2019|language=Danish}}

An EP of "Shadows" remixes was released on 24 May, containing reworkings by Alphalove, F9, Until Dawn and Country Club Martini Crew.{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/shadows-remixes-ep/1463391621|title=Shadows (Remixes) – EP by Alphabeat on Apple Music|date=24 May 2019|accessdate=31 August 2019|website=Apple Music}} An acoustic recording of the track was released 14 June,{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/dk/album/shadows-acoustic/1465911077?i=1465911078|title=Shadows (Acoustic) - Single by Alphabeat on Apple Music|date=14 June 2019|accessdate=29 October 2019|website=Apple Music}} followed by a UK radio edit of the single on 10 September, mixed by "Fascination" and "10,000 Nights" producer Jeremy Wheatley.{{cite web | url=https://celebmix.com/alphabeat-announce-uk-tour-and-special-mix-of-shadows/ | title=Alphabeat announce UK Tour and special mix of 'Shadows' | website=CelebMix | accessdate=24 September 2019| date=17 September 2019}} On 16 October, the UK edit was added to the BBC Radio 2 playlist.{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/BBCRadio2/status/1184511216217219073|title=BBC Radio 2 on Twitter|accessdate=29 October 2019|date=16 October 2019|work=BBC Radio 2|via=Twitter}}

On 30 August 2019, the band released the album's second single, "I Don't Know What's Cool Anymore". Alongside this, they announced the album itself with an expected release date of 1 November 2019.

On 25 October, a second remix EP was released for the single "I Don't Know What's Cool Anymore", containing tracks by Faustix, Alphalove and Initial Talk.{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/dk/album/i-dont-know-whats-cool-anymore-alphalove-remix/1483791854?i=1483791856|title=I Don't Know What's Cool Anymore (Remixes) - Single by Alphabeat on Apple Music|date=25 October 2019|accessdate=29 October 2019|website=Apple Music}}

On 26 June 2020, Alphabeat released a reworking of the album track "Sometimes". Titled "Sometimes 2020", this version is produced by Dutch DJ Justus Schipper.{{cite web |title=Alphabeat - Sometimes (2020, file) Discogs |url=https://www.discogs.com/Alphabeat-Dont-Know-Whats-Cool-Anymore/release/13168353 |website=Discogs |accessdate=3 November 2019 |date=1 November 2019}} Schipper later released his own re-working of the track, the "Justus Remix", on 30 July.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RJRnc-TsztI|title=Alphabeat - Sometimes 2020 (Justus Remix) [Official Audio]|accessdate=16 August 2020|date=30 July 2020|via=YouTube}}

Alphabeat released three music videos to accompany the release of Don't Know What's Cool Anymore.

The first, a clip for lead single "Shadows", was released 1 March 2019.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p08vwkde3GM|title=Alphabeat - Shadows (Official Music Video)|accessdate=24 September 2019|via=YouTube}} A second, accompanying the band's second single "I Don't Know What's Cool Anymore", followed on 24 September.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H-m5Pq1C09o|title=Alphabeat - I Don't Know What's Cool Anymore (Official Music Video)|accessdate=27 September 2019|date=24 September 2019|via=YouTube}} A third, for the album track "Sing A Song" premiered 16 November,{{cite web|url=https://mailchi.mp/9b144917131d/alphabeat-vacation-is-over-12072221?e=5d3f57ca62|title=Arena show recap, TV fun, new merch and 'Sing A Song'|date=6 December 2019|accessdate=7 December 2019|work=Alphabeat|via=Mailchimp}} however the track itself was not released as a single. All three of these videos were filmed, directed and edited by band members Anders Reinholdt and Rasmus Nagel.

In promotion of the album, and its respective singles, Alphabeat have appeared on various radio and television programmes, including performing "Shadows" on both the Danish version of reality TV series X Factor{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ps1jYdt3h-0|title=Alphabeat - 'Shadows' (Live) - X Factor 2019 - TV 2|accessdate=27 September 2019|date=12 April 2019|via=YouTube}} and British late-night talk show The Graham Norton Show.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0008szg|title=BBC One - The Graham Norton Show, Series 26, Episode 1|accessdate=27 September 2019|date=27 September 2019|work=BBC One}} The group have also performed "I Don't Know What's Cool Anymore" on both the Danish{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/Alphabeat/videos/1145377262334296/|title='I Don't Know What's Cool Anymore' live on Vild Med Dans|accessdate=24 October 2019|date=19 October 2019|work=TV 2|via=Facebook}} and British{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KEysQsQJVbo|title=Alphabeat perform 'I Don't Know What's Cool Anymore' - BBC Strictly 2019|accessdate=17 August 2020|date=16 November 2019|via=YouTube}} versions of dance competition series Dancing with the Stars.

In the week leading up to the album's release, Bramsen and SG, alongside guitarist Anders Bønlokke, appeared on both BBC Radio Scotland{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0009qrg|title=BBC Radio Scotland - The Afternoon Show, Rick Astley, Shappi Khorsandi and Kes at Perth Theatret|accessdate=29 October 2019|date=28 October 2019|work=BBC Radio Scotland}} and BBC Radio 2, the latter of which saw them performing acoustic versions of both "Shadows" and "Fascination".{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0009rg8|title=BBC Radio 2 - The Michael ball Show, Alphabeat and Clarke Peters|accessdate=29 October 2019|date=27 October 2019|work=BBC Radio 2}} The trio also appeared on album review podcast Track by Track, discussing each song from the release with hosts Dan Bull and Will Warren.{{cite web|url=https://movetotrash.co.uk/2019/11/track-by-track-65-alphabeat-dont-know-whats-cool-anymore/|title=Track by Track 65: Alphabeat – Don't Know What's Cool Anymore (With Alphabeat)|accessdate=4 November 2019|date=1 November 2019|work=Track By Track|via=Trash}} All six band members also featured on the cover of LGBT magazine QX{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/QXMagazine/status/1189499647020154880|title=QX Magazine on Twitter|accessdate=30 October 2019|date=30 October 2019|publisher=QX|via=Twitter}} and Scandinavian lifestyle magazine Scan.{{cite web|url=https://www.instagram.com/p/B47yfhPBSBn/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/s/instagram/B47yfhPBSBn |archive-date=26 December 2021 |url-access=registration|title=Alphabeat on Instagram|accessdate=17 August 2020|date=16 November 2019|via=Instagram}}{{cbignore}}

On 2 November, Alphabeat played a medley of their hits as part of the 2019 Crown Prince Couple's Awards ceremony, aired live on Danish television. The group performed "I Don't Know What's Cool Anymore" and "Shadows", alongside classic hits "10,000 Nights", and "Fascination",{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uSYwW-mctrw|title=Alphabeat - Medley - Kronprinsparrets Priser 2019 - DR1|accessdate=16 August 2020|date=2 November 2019|via=YouTube}}

Following the album's release, on 3 November Danish radio station DR P7 Mix dedicated a whole day of programming to the band. The broadcast totaled seven hours and culminated in a live performance of "Don't Know What's Cool Anymore" in full, followed by hits "DJ", "The Spell" and "Fascination".{{cite web|url=https://www.dr.dk/playlister/p7mix/2019-11-3 |title=Playliste - P7 MIX - 03-11-2019 P7 MIX DR|accessdate=4 November 2019|date=3 November 2019|work=DR P7 Mix|language=Danish}}

On 17 December 2019, the group appeared on TV 2's De Største Øjeblikke 2019 (English: The Greatest Moments 2019), performing album track "Back of My Bike" and single "Shadows".{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1bcfddHNH_Q|title=Alphabeat - Back of My Bike / Shadows (Live TV Performance "De største øjeblikke 2019)

|accessdate=16 August 2020|date=20 January 2020|via=YouTube}}

The band have also supported the album through various live shows, including performing at SXSW in March 2019{{cite magazine |last1=Schiller |first1=Rebecca |title=Alphabeat Return From Hiatus With a Shimmery Dance Party in 'Shadows' Video: Exclusive |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/8500066/alphabeat-shadows-video |magazine=Billboard |accessdate=1 March 2019 |date=28 February 2019}} and touring Denmark as part of Grøn Koncert during July 2019.{{cite web | url=https://www.groenkoncert.dk/nyheder/alphabeat-goer-comeback-til-groen-2019 | title=Alphabeat gør comeback til Grøn 2019 | website=Grøn Koncert | accessdate=31 August 2019| date=9 April 2019 |language=da}}

Throughout February 2020, the group were due to play a series of headline shows in their native country,{{cite web | url=https://gaffa.dk/nyhed/139289/alphabeat-tager-pa-danmarksturne | title=Alphabeat tager på Danmarksturné | work=Gaffa | accessdate=24 September 2019| date=5 September 2019 |language=da}} with a tour of the United Kingdom following in April 2020. In June 2020, the group were also due to play Fredagsrock, the Friday-night concert event at Copenhagen amusement park Tivoli,{{cite web |title=Fredagsrock: Tivoli afslører to store, danske navne |url=https://ugeavisen.dk/kbhliv/artikel/fredagsrock-tivoli-afsl%C3%B8rer-to-store-danske-navne |website=Ugeavisen.dk |accessdate=16 August 2020 |date=20 February 2020 |language=Danish}} and the London music festival Mighty Hoopla.{{cite web |title=Cheryl headlining Mighty Hoopla as Eve and Alphabeat join line-up and we're so ready |url=https://metro.co.uk/2020/01/28/cheryl-headlining-mighty-hoopla-eve-alphabeat-join-line-ready-12136450/ |website=Metro |accessdate=16 August 2020 |date=28 January 2020}}

Owing to the COVID-19 pandemic, however, several of the band's 2020 dates were either cancelled{{cite web |title=Alphabeat: Vi har ikke planer om at stoppe |url=https://ekstrabladet.dk/musik/dkmusiknyt/alphabeat-vi-har-ikke-planer-om-at-stoppe/8180115 |website=Ekstrabladet.dk |accessdate=16 August 2020 |date=26 June 2020 |language=Danish}}{{cite web |title=Alphabeat - CANCELLED - Fredagsrock |url=https://www.fredagsrock.dk/en/program/2020/alphabeat+2020 |website=Fredagsrock.dk |accessdate=16 August 2020}}{{cite web |title=London's Mighty Hoopla has just been cancelled because of coronavirus pandemic |url=https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2020/04/07/mighty-hoopla-cancelled-coronavirus-pandemic-brockwell-park-london-cheryl-anastacia/ |website=Pink News |accessdate=16 August 2020 |date=7 April 2020}} or rescheduled.{{cite web | url=https://twitter.com/Alphabeat/status/1242466517557694467 | title=Alphabeat on Twitter | via=Twitter | publisher=Alphabeat | accessdate=16 August 2020| date=24 March 2020}} In place of these cancelations, the group performed "the only Alphabeat gig this Summer",{{cite web | url=https://twitter.com/Alphabeat/status/1276498600407769096 | title=Alphabeat on Twitter | via=Twitter | publisher=Alphabeat | accessdate=17 August 2020| date=26 June 2020}} a live-streamed concert atop the Radisson Collection Hotel, Royal Copenhagen on 26 June.{{cite web |title=GIG REVIEW: Alphabeat, 86 metres above Copenhagen, Denmark |url=https://monstagigz.com/2020/06/30/gig-review-alphabeat-86-metres-above-copenhagen-denmark/ |website=Monstagigz.com |accessdate=16 August 2020 |date=30 June 2020}}

{{Album ratings

| rev1 = Classic Pop

| rev1score = {{rating|4|5}}

| rev2 = OK!

| rev2score = {{rating|4|5}}

| rev3 = Stereoboard

| rev3score = {{rating|4|5}}

}}

Initial reception to the album was mostly positive, with celebrity culture website CelebMix calling the record "a non-stop, popular musical masterpiece packed full of intelligent, well-crafted and well-produced perfect pop hits".{{cite web | url=https://celebmix.com/new-music-friday-alphabeat-dont-know-whats-cool-anymore-album-review/ | title=New Music Friday: Alphabeat 'Don't Know What's Cool Anymore' Album Review | website=CelebMix | accessdate=1 November 2019| date=31 October 2019}} Music and entertainment website Essentially Pop too praised the record, naming it "a welcome breath of positivity in a worried world", whilst citing opening track "Shadows" as "high energy, fun, and effusive".{{cite web | url=https://essentiallypop.com/epop/2019/11/alphabeats-dont-know-whats-cool-anymore-is-a-welcome-breath-of-positivity-in-a-worried-world/ | title=Alphabeat's 'Don't Know What's Cool Anymore' Is A Welcome Breath Of Positivity In A Worried World | website=Essentially Pop | accessdate=1 November 2019| date=1 November 2019}}

OK! gave the album 4/5 stars, claiming the listener "won't be able to help hitting the dancefloor and throwing some old school shapes",{{cite web | url=https://twitter.com/Alphabeat/status/1190206356457971712 | title=Alphabeat on Twitter | via=Twitter | publisher=Alphabeat | accessdate=1 November 2019| date=1 November 2019}} whilst New! gave a similarly positive review, claiming the album was "all killer, no filler".{{cite web | url=https://twitter.com/Alphabeat/status/1190206554466922496 | title=Alphabeat on Twitter | via=Twitter | publisher=Alphabeat | accessdate=1 November 2019| date=1 November 2019}} Review website Stereoboard too praised the record, noting that the album "heralds a return to the more organic aesthetic of... This Is Alphabeat" and calling it a "nine track gem"; the website gave the release a 4/5 star rating.{{cite web | url=https://www.stereoboard.com/content/view/225989/9 | title=Alphabeat - Don't Know What's Cool Anymore (Album Review) | website=Stereoboard | accessdate=5 November 2019| date=5 November 2019}}

Music magazine Classic Pop was more critical, however, rating the album 4 stars. The publication praised the band's "timeless radio-friendly euphoria" but panned the short length of the album and the track "Sing a Song".{{cite web | url=https://twitter.com/Alphabeat/status/1190206669457960961 | title=Alphabeat on Twitter | via=Twitter | publisher=Alphabeat | accessdate=1 November 2019| date=1 November 2019}} Nordic music fansite Scandipop praised "Sing a Song", however, calling it "brutally honest but tongue-in-cheek", whilst commending the record as a whole for being "wall-to-wall, heart-on-its-sleeve, brilliant, unabashed pop".{{cite web | url=https://www.scandipop.co.uk/album-alphabeat-dont-know-whats-cool-anymore/ | title=ALBUM: Alphabeat - 'Don't Know What's Cool Anymore' | website=Scandipop | accessdate=1 November 2019| date=1 November 2019}}

{{Track listing

| headline = Don't Know What's Cool Anymore track listing

| title1 = Shadows

| writer1 = {{hlist|Anders SG|Anders Bønløkke|Stine Bramsen}}

| length1 = 2:45

| title2 = I Don't Know What's Cool Anymore

| writer2 = {{hlist|Bønløkke|SG|Bramsen|Emil Falk|Daniella Binyamin}}

| length2 = 3:10

| title3 = Back of My Bike

| writer3 = {{hlist|SG|Bønløkke|Bramsen|Falk}}

| length3 = 2:46

| title4 = Goldmine

| writer4 = {{hlist|Bønløkke|SG}}

| length4 = 3:18

| title5 = Sing a Song

| writer5 = {{hlist|Bønløkke|SG|Bramsen}}

| length5 = 3:06

| title6 = Sometimes

| writer6 = {{hlist|Bønløkke|SG}}

| length6 = 3:05

| title7 = Now You Know

| writer7 = {{hlist|Bønløkke|SG}}

| length7 = 2:33

| title8 = The Answer

| writer8 = {{hlist|Bønløkke|SG|Bramsen}}

| length8 = 3:12

| title9 = I'd Rather Die

| writer9 = {{hlist|Bønløkke|SG}}

| length9 = 2:40

| total_length = 26:43

}}

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Alphabeat

• Anders Bønløkke – guitar, backing vocals, writing, production
• Stine Bramsen – vocals, cowbell, writing
• Troels Møller – drums, backing vocals
• Rasmus Nagel – keyboards, backing vocals
• Anders Reinholdt – bass, backing vocals
• Anders SG – vocals, tamborim, writing, production

{{col-2}}

Additional personnel

• Emil Sebastian Albæk Falk – production, writing, backing vocals, additional instrumentation
• Daniela Binyamin – writing, backing vocals
• Elisabeth Eibye – photography
• Tom McKenzie – photography
• Henrik Siegel – cover design
• Mads Nilsson – mixing

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{{reflist}}

{{Alphabeat}}

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Category:2019 albums

Category:Alphabeat albums

Category:Warner Music Group albums

Category:Atlantic Records albums