I'm New Here

Image:Gill Scott Heron 2009 Regency.jpg

I'm New Here is a departure from the rhythmic, jazz-funk and soul style of Scott-Heron's previous work,{{cite news|last=Serwer|first=Jesse|url=http://blog.washingtonpost.com/clicktrack/2010/02/album_review_gil_scott-heron_i.html|title=Album review: Gil Scott-Heron, "I'm New Here"|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=February 9, 2010|access-date=February 10, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120825234815/http://blog.washingtonpost.com/clicktrack/2010/02/album_review_gil_scott-heron_i.html|archive-date=August 25, 2012|url-status=dead}} and embraces an acoustic and electronic minimal sound.{{cite news|last=Yates|first=Steve|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2010/jan/24/scott-heron-new-here|title=Gil Scott-Heron: I'm New Here (XL)|newspaper=The Observer|location=London|date=January 24, 2010|access-date=February 10, 2010}} Musically, I'm New Here incorporates blues, folk, trip hop, and electronica styles.{{cite web|last=Taylor|first=Patrick|url=http://www.rapreviews.com/archive/2010_02_imnewhere.html|title=Gil Scott-Heron :: I'm New Here :: XL Recordings|work=RapReviews|date=February 16, 2010|access-date=February 25, 2010|archive-date=November 28, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101128004316/http://rapreviews.com//archive/2010_02_imnewhere.html|url-status=live}}{{cite news|last=Kot|first=Greg|author-link=Greg Kot|url=http://leisureblogs.chicagotribune.com/turn_it_up/2010/02/album-review-gil-scottheron-im-new-here.html|title=Album review: Gil Scott-Heron, 'I'm New Here'|newspaper=Chicago Tribune|date=February 23, 2010|access-date=February 25, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022131916/http://leisureblogs.chicagotribune.com/turn_it_up/2010/02/album-review-gil-scottheron-im-new-here.html|archive-date=October 22, 2012|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|last=Woodbury|first=Jason P.|url=http://www.tinymixtapes.com/music-review/Gil-Scott-Heron-I-m-New-Here|title=Gil Scott-Heron – I'm New Here|work=Tiny Mix Tapes|access-date=February 11, 2010|archive-date=February 15, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100215061947/http://www.tinymixtapes.com/music-review/Gil-Scott-Heron-I-m-New-Here|url-status=live}}{{cite news|last=Wood|first=Mikael|url=http://thephoenix.com/Boston/music/97528-im-new-here-2010/|title=Gil Scott-Heron {{!}} I'm New Here|newspaper=The Boston Phoenix|date=February 23, 2010|access-date=February 23, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121014142700/http://thephoenix.com/Boston/music/97528-im-new-here-2010/|archive-date=October 14, 2012|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|last=Baird|first=Emrys|url=http://www.bluesandsoul.com/review/1004/gil_scott-heron_im_new_here/|title=Gil Scott-Heron: I'm New Here|work=Blues & Soul|access-date=February 25, 2010|archive-date=March 14, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100314063745/http://www.bluesandsoul.com/review/1004/gil_scott-heron_im_new_here|url-status=live}} Music writer Patrick Taylor notes of the album's style, "It's the ragged, warts-and-all approach of the blues versus the more refined jazz soul style he favored in the seventies". It also contains some musical elements of dubstep, electro, and ambient music. Greg Kot from the Chicago Tribune called it a "post-modern" blues album, while Rolling Stone magazine's Will Hermes described it as "a steely blues record at heart — the sound of a damaged man staring in the mirror without self-pity but not without hope". City Pages critic Rick Mason deemed the music "hard-edged post-industrial blues".{{cite news|last=Mason|first=Rick|url=http://www.citypages.com/2010-04-14/calendar/gil-scott-heron/full/|title=Gil Scott-Heron|newspaper=City Pages|location=Minneapolis|date=April 14, 2010|access-date=March 2, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140428005126/http://www.citypages.com/2010-04-14/calendar/gil-scott-heron/full/|archive-date=April 28, 2014|url-status=dead}}

The album contains a sonically dark and gritty soundscape characterized by low-tone synths and spatial beats. Due to its sparse sound and minimalist production, music writers have compared it to singer-songwriter Johnny Cash's American Recordings albums with producer Rick Rubin.{{cite web|last=Dietz|first=Jason|url=http://features.metacritic.com/features/2010/new-music-for-february-2-2010-2/|title=This Week's New Music: Albums from Hot Chip, Massive Attack, and More|publisher=Metacritic|date=February 10, 2010|access-date=April 22, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100616035256/http://features.metacritic.com/features/2010/new-music-for-february-2-2010-2/|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 16, 2010}} Crawdaddy!{{'}}s David MacFadden-Elliott wrote that Richard Russell's production finds "deep electronic grooves that still contain hints of soul and gospel music",{{cite web|last=MacFadden-Elliot|first=David|url=http://www.crawdaddy.com/index.php/2010/02/08/album-review-gil-scott-heron-i-m-new-here/|title=Album Review: Gil Scott-Heron, I'm New Here|work=Crawdaddy!|date=February 8, 2010|access-date=February 19, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717205056/http://www.crawdaddy.com/index.php/2010/02/08/album-review-gil-scott-heron-i-m-new-here/|archive-date=July 17, 2011|url-status=dead}} while critic Neil McCormick noted that the album's musical setting produced by Russell "blends dubby beats with spoken word and raw, confessional blues", describing the musical fusion as "like Massive Attack jamming with Robert Johnson and Allen Ginsberg".

Scott-Heron's baritone vocals on the album stylistically range from spoken word to blues-oriented crooning. Music writers have noted that Scott-Heron's vocal ability has changed, perceiving it as rougher, slurred, and aged. Simon Price of The Independent described his voice on the album as "bourbon-soaked".{{cite news|last=Price|first=Simon|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/album-gil-scottheron-irsquom-new-here-xl-1892082.html|title=Album: Gil Scott-Heron, I'm New Here (XL)|work=The Independent|location=London|date=February 7, 2010|access-date=February 14, 2010|archive-date=February 10, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100210185248/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/album-gil-scottheron-irsquom-new-here-xl-1892082.html|url-status=live}}

I'm New Here features introspective, confessional lyrics expressing themes of regret, reconciliation, and redemption,{{cite web|last=Dacks|first=David|url=http://exclaim.ca/music/article/gil_scott-heron-im_new_here_2|title=Gil Scott-Heron: I'm New Here|work=Exclaim!|date=February 8, 2010|access-date=February 19, 2010|archive-date=February 2, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200202134655/http://exclaim.ca/music/article/gil_scott-heron-im_new_here_2|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last=Neyland|first=Nick|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/music/reviews/b3q4|title=Gil Scott-Heron I'm New Here Review|publisher=BBC Music|access-date=February 11, 2010|archive-date=February 11, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100211165650/http://www.bbc.co.uk/music/reviews/b3q4|url-status=live}} which deviate from his earlier music's agitprop lyrics and social, political themes.{{cite journal|last=Sless-Kitain|first=Areif|url=http://chicago.timeout.com/articles/music/82492/gil-scott-heron-im-new-here-music-review|title=Gil Scott-Heron|journal=Time Out Chicago|issue=258|date=February 4–10, 2010|access-date=February 11, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100211020739/http://chicago.timeout.com/articles/music/82492/gil-scott-heron-im-new-here-music-review|archive-date=February 11, 2010|url-status=dead}} On Scott-Heron's thematic departure, critic Paul Trynka wrote "The man who depicted Winter in America is now in his own autumn; a season replete with both beauty and sadness". The Skinny{{'}}s Bram Gieben perceived "flashes of Burroughs-like darkness, the wry humour of post-addiction Richard Pryor" in Scott-Heron's performance.{{cite web|last=Gieben|first=Bram|url=http://www.theskinny.co.uk/article/98642-gil-scott-heron---im-new-here|title=Gil Scott-Heron – I'm New Here|work=The Skinny|date=February 16, 2010|access-date=February 20, 2010|archive-date=April 23, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100423032545/http://www.theskinny.co.uk/article/98642-gil-scott-heron---im-new-here|url-status=live}} Although Scott-Heron's lyrics concerning his bleak life experiences are understated and reflective, they express pride, dignity, defiance, and unapologetic confession.{{cite news|last=Haider|first=Arwa|url=http://www.metro.co.uk/metrolife/music/811976-gil-scott-heron-still-speaks-from-the-heart|title=Gil Scott-Heron still speaks from the heart|work=Metro|location=London|date=February 8, 2010|access-date=February 14, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100211122922/http://www.metro.co.uk/metrolife/music/811976-gil-scott-heron-still-speaks-from-the-heart|archive-date=February 11, 2010|url-status=dead}} According to Robert Ferguson of Drowned in Sound, Scott-Heron expresses "confession, but no apology" to "pick over the bones of his life, acknowledging the hard times and his own mistakes, but standing proud of all they have led him to become".{{cite web|last=Ferguson|first=Robert|url=http://drownedinsound.com/releases/15097/reviews/4139058|title=Gil Scott-Heron – I'm New Here|work=Drowned in Sound|date=February 10, 2010|access-date=February 10, 2010|archive-date=February 13, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100213031733/http://drownedinsound.com/releases/15097/reviews/4139058|url-status=dead}}

{{Listen|pos = right

|filename = Your Soul and Mine.ogg

|title = "Your Soul and Mine"

|description = The spoken word piece based on Scott-Heron's 1970 poem "The Vulture" features dubstep-styled sonics over a cello loop.

|filename2 = New York Is Killing Me.ogg

|title2 = "New York Is Killing Me"

|description2 = Written as a 12-bar blues, the song is about alienation in New York City and is built around handclaps and distorted bass.

}}

The album's bookending and two-part poem "On Coming from a Broken Home" features piano and a sampled string loop from Kanye West's "Flashing Lights" (2007).{{cite web|last=Molner|first=Chris|url=http://www.cokemachineglow.com/record_review/5105/gilscottheron-imnewhere-2010|title=Gil Scott-Heron: I'm New Here (XL; 2010)|publisher=Cokemachineglow|date=January 25, 2010|access-date=February 14, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100128114640/http://www.cokemachineglow.com/record_review/5105/gilscottheron-imnewhere-2010|archive-date=January 28, 2010|url-status=dead}} It is a tribute to the women in his family, particularly Scott-Heron's grandmother Lily Scott, with whom he was sent to live as a child in Tennessee. The song reflects on his upbringing around strong female figures and challenges the sociological perception of a broken home:{{cite web|last=Lee|first=Darren|url=https://www.musicomh.com/reviews/albums/gil-scott-heron-im-new-here|title=Gil Scott-Heron – I'm New Here|work=MusicOMH|date=February 8, 2010|access-date=February 10, 2010|archive-date=July 31, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130731034619/http://www.musicomh.com/reviews/albums/gil-scott-heron-im-new-here|url-status=live}} "Womenfolk raised me, and I was full-grown before knew I came from a broken home". It defends Scott-Heron's upbringing and arguing that his grandmother's love and devotion taught him passionate humanity, despite lacking of a positive male figure. According to music writers, "On Coming from a Broken Home" introduces and concludes the album's prominent theme of unapologetic confession.

"Your Soul and Mine" adapts lyrics from Scott-Heron's spoken word piece "The Vulture", originally featured on Small Talk at 125th and Lenox (1970).{{cite web|last=Smith|first=Jason Randall|url=http://www.imposemagazine.com/reviews/im-new-here--gil-scott-heron|title=Gil Scott-Heron, I'm New Here|work=Impose|access-date=February 14, 2010|archive-date=February 13, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100213163625/http://www.imposemagazine.com/reviews/im-new-here--gil-scott-heron|url-status=live}} It contains a dubstep-styled collage of effects over a cello loop similar to the style of Burial and Massive Attack.{{cite web|last=Lewis|first=John|url=http://www.uncut.co.uk/music/gil_scott-heron_and_brian_jackson/reviews/13936|title=Album Review: Gil Scott-Heron – I'm New Here|work=Uncut|date=February 8, 2010|access-date=February 11, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101206031914/http://www.uncut.co.uk/music/gil_scott-heron_and_brian_jackson/reviews/13936|archive-date=December 6, 2010|url-status=dead}} The song's blank verse recitation discusses the evils, represented as a metaphorical vulture, that inhabit and destroy African-American ghettos.{{cite web|last=Aaron-Lopez|first=Carla|url=https://hiphopdx.com/editorials/id.1492/title.thieves-vultures-nas-gil-scott-heron-music-videos|title=Thieves & Vultures: Nas, Gil Scott-Heron & Music Videos|work=HipHopDX|date=February 7, 2010|access-date=February 25, 2011|archive-date=March 3, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303195824/http://hiphopdx.com/editorials/id.1492/title.thieves-vultures-nas-gil-scott-heron-music-videos|url-status=live}} The "vulture" also represents death from Scott-Heron's point of view, who concludes the song with the theme of defiance.

I'm New Here was released by XL Recordings on February 8, 2010, in the United Kingdom and the following day in the United States.{{cite web|last=Briehan|first=Tom|url=https://pitchfork.com/news/37570-in-brief-these-arms-are-snakes-peter-hook-gil-scott-heron-snowbombing/|title=In Brief: These Arms Are Snakes, Peter Hook, Gil Scott-Heron, Snowbombing|work=Pitchfork|date=January 13, 2010|access-date=February 14, 2010|archive-date=February 17, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100217172456/http://pitchfork.com/news/37570-in-brief-these-arms-are-snakes-peter-hook-gil-scott-heron-snowbombing/|url-status=live}} It had first-week sales of 3,700 copies in the US.{{cite web|last=Jacobs|first=Allen|url=https://hiphopdx.com/news/id.10652/title.hip-hop-album-sales-the-week-ending-2142010|title=Hip Hop Album Sales: The Week Ending 2/14/2010|work=HipHopDX|date=February 17, 2010|access-date=February 19, 2010|archive-date=March 6, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306084640/http://hiphopdx.com/news/id.10652/title.hip-hop-album-sales-the-week-ending-2142010|url-status=live}} It entered at number 28 on Billboard{{'}}s Top Independent Albums,[http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/charts/chart_display.jsp?g=Albums&f=Top+Internet+Albums&src=bchallenge Independent Albums: Week of February 27, 2010] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100104100202/http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/charts/chart_display.jsp?g=Albums&f=Top+Internet+Albums&src=bchallenge |date=January 4, 2010 }}. Billboard. Retrieved on 2010-02-19. at number 6 on its Top Jazz Albums,[https://www.billboard.com/charts/jazz-albums#/charts/jazz-albums Jazz Albums: Week of February 27, 2010] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190520225142/https://www.billboard.com/charts/jazz-albums#/charts/jazz-albums |date=May 20, 2019 }}. Billboard. Retrieved on 2010-02-19. and at number 38 on its Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.[{{BillboardURLbyName|artist=gil scott-heron|chart=R&B/Hip-Hop Albums B}} R&B/Hip-Hop Albums: Week of February 27, 2010]. Billboard. Retrieved on 2010-02-19. The album also entered at number 35 in Ireland and at number 39 in the United Kingdom.[http://www.irma.ie/aucharts.asp#albums Irish Charts: Week ending 18th February 2010] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090830012750/http://www.irma.ie/aucharts.asp |date=2009-08-30 }}. IRMA. Retrieved on 2010-02-20. It also debuted at number six on the UK R&B Chart. It spent two to three weeks on most international charts. In 2010, it was awarded a silver certification from the Independent Music Companies Association, which indicated sales of at least 30,000 copies throughout Europe.{{Cite web |url=http://www.impalamusic.org/arc_static/docum/04-press/2009/PR%20-%2020101004.htm |title=Color |access-date=2017-08-26 |archive-date=2017-08-27 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20170827005732/http://www.impalamusic.org/arc_static/docum/04-press/2009/PR%20-%2020101004.htm |url-status=dead }}

The album's lead single, "Me and the Devil", was released on February 22, 2010, as a 7" and music download.{{cite web|last=Hughes|first=Rich|url=http://www.thelineofbestfit.com/2010/01/video-gil-scott-heron-me-and-the-devil/|title=[Video] Gil Scott-Heron – Me And The Devil|work=The Line of Best Fit|date=January 20, 2010|access-date=February 14, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100122235624/http://www.thelineofbestfit.com/2010/01/video-gil-scott-heron-me-and-the-devil/|archive-date=January 22, 2010|url-status=dead}} It did not chart as a single on the Billboard charts.[{{BillboardURLbyName|artist=gil scott-heron|chart=all}} Chart History: 'Me and the Devil']. Billboard. Retrieved on 2010-04-02. On September 26, British director Chris Cunningham premiered the 10-minute film New York Is Killing Me at the Museum of Modern Art, projected on three screens side by side. For this "audio-visual remix" he replaced 90% of Scott-Heron's musical track with train sounds and environmental recordings to create a "musique concrète" version of the original composition.{{cite web|last=Macaulay|first=Scott|url=http://filmmakermagazine.com/13909-chris-cunningham-moma/#.VgICv7SXemQ|title=Chris Cunningham @ MoMA|work=Filmmaker|date=September 27, 2010|access-date=September 23, 2015|archive-date=September 23, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923061233/http://filmmakermagazine.com/13909-chris-cunningham-moma/#.VgICv7SXemQ|url-status=live}}

{{Music ratings

| ADM = 7.8/10{{cite web|url=http://www.anydecentmusic.com/review/1496/Gil-Scott-Heron-Im-New-Here.aspx|title=I'm New Here by Gil Scott-Heron reviews|publisher=AnyDecentMusic?|access-date=February 2, 2020|archive-date=February 2, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200202125803/http://www.anydecentmusic.com/review/1496/Gil-Scott-Heron-Im-New-Here.aspx|url-status=live}}

| MC = 78/100{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/music/im-new-here/gil-scott-heron|title=Reviews for I'm New Here by Gil Scott-Heron|publisher=Metacritic|access-date=February 10, 2010|archive-date=November 5, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105083518/http://www.metacritic.com/music/im-new-here/gil-scott-heron|url-status=live}}

| rev1 = AllMusic

| rev1score = {{rating|4|5}}{{cite web|last=Jurek|first=Thom|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/im-new-here-mw0001955822|title=I'm New Here – Gil Scott-Heron|publisher=AllMusic|access-date=February 10, 2010|archive-date=December 9, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231209011524/https://www.allmusic.com/album/im-new-here-mw0001955822|url-status=live}}

| rev2 = The Daily Telegraph

| rev2score = {{Rating|4|5}}{{cite news|last=McCormick|first=Neil|author-link=Neil McCormick|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/cdreviews/7222493/Gil-Scott-Heron-Im-New-Here-CD-review.html|title=Gil Scott-Heron: I'm New Here, CD review|work=The Daily Telegraph|location=London|date=February 12, 2010|access-date=February 12, 2010|archive-date=February 16, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100216141541/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/cdreviews/7222493/Gil-Scott-Heron-Im-New-Here-CD-review.html|url-status=live}}

| rev3 = The Guardian

| rev3score = {{Rating|4|5}}{{cite news|last=Simpson|first=Dave|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2010/feb/05/gil-scott-herron-new-here|title=Gil Scott-Heron: I'm New Here|work=The Guardian|location=London|date=February 5, 2010|access-date=February 10, 2010|archive-date=August 2, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170802082120/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2010/feb/05/gil-scott-herron-new-here|url-status=live}}

| rev4 = The Independent

| rev4score = {{rating|4|5}}{{cite news|last=Gill|first=Andy|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/album-gil-scottheron-im-new-here-xl-1890448.html|title=Album: Gil Scott-Heron, I'm New Here (XL)|work=The Independent|location=London|date=February 5, 2010|access-date=February 10, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100226153358/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/album-gil-scottheron-im-new-here-xl-1890448.html|archive-date=February 26, 2010|url-status=dead}}

| rev5 = Mojo

| rev5score = {{Rating|4|5}}{{cite journal|last=Trynka|first=Paul|url=http://gilscottheron.net/press/23/gil-in-uk-press|title=Gil Scott-Heron: I'm New Here|journal=Mojo|issue=196|date=March 2010|access-date=February 2, 2020|page=97|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101005214719/http://gilscottheron.net/press/23/gil-in-uk-press|archive-date=October 5, 2010|url-status=dead}}

| rev6 = NME

| rev6score = 9/10{{cite web|last=Doran|first=John|url=https://www.nme.com/reviews/11071|title=Album review: Gil Scott-Heron – 'I'm New Here'|work=NME|date=February 22, 2010|access-date=February 23, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160427061222/http://www.nme.com/reviews/11071|archive-date=April 27, 2016}}

| rev7 = Pitchfork

| rev7score = 8.5/10{{cite web|last=Patrin|first=Nate|url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/13893-im-new-here/|title=Gil Scott-Heron: I'm New Here|work=Pitchfork|date=February 10, 2010|access-date=February 10, 2010|archive-date=February 13, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100213160121/http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/13893-im-new-here/|url-status=live}}

| rev8 = Q

| rev8score = {{Rating|4|5}}{{cite journal|last=Howe|first=Rupert|url=http://gilscottheron.net/press/23/gil-in-uk-press|title=Gil Scott-Heron: I'm New Here|journal=Q|issue=284|date=March 2010|access-date=February 2, 2020|page=119|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101005214719/http://gilscottheron.net/press/23/gil-in-uk-press|archive-date=October 5, 2010|url-status=dead}}

| rev9 = Rolling Stone

| rev9score = {{rating|3|5}}{{cite magazine|last=Hermes|first=Will|author-link=Will Hermes|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/artists/gilscottheron/albums/album/31959725/review/31962029/im_new_here|title=Gil Scott-Heron: I'm New Here|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=February 8, 2010|access-date=February 10, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100329061614/http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/gilscottheron/albums/album/31959725/review/31962029/im_new_here|archive-date=March 29, 2010|url-status=dead}}

| rev10 = Spin

| rev10score = 7/10{{cite web|last=Beta|first=Andy|url=http://www.spin.com/reviews/gil-scott-heron-im-new-here-xl|title=Gil Scott-Heron, 'I'm New Here' (XL)|work=Spin|date=February 2, 2010|access-date=February 10, 2010|archive-date=February 13, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100213181138/http://www.spin.com/reviews/gil-scott-heron-im-new-here-xl|url-status=live}}

}}

I'm New Here was met with mostly positive 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 78, based on 28 reviews.

Reviewing the album for Slant Magazine, Jesse Cataldo called it "post-structural, indefinably plotted" and "masterfully stark",{{cite web|last=Cataldo|first=Jesse|url=https://www.slantmagazine.com/music/review/gil-scott-heron-im-new-here/1998|title=Gil Scott-Heron: I'm New Here|work=Slant Magazine|date=February 8, 2010|access-date=February 10, 2010|archive-date=February 11, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100211122003/http://www.slantmagazine.com/music/review/gil-scott-heron-im-new-here/1998|url-status=live}} while Dan Cairns of The Sunday Times regarded it as "an extraordinarily powerful album" featuring "superb Scott-Heron originals".{{cite news|last=Cairns|first=Dan|url=https://www.thetimes.com/sunday-times-rich-list/profile/article/gil-scott-heron-im-new-here-ssgcf2zg6vv|title=Gil Scott Heron: I'm New Here|work=The Sunday Times|location=London|date=February 21, 2010|access-date=February 2, 2020|url-access=subscription|archive-date=February 2, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200202134655/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/gil-scott-heron-im-new-here-ssgcf2zg6vv|url-status=live}} AllMusic's Thom Jurek said it "contains the artful immediacy that distinguishes Scott-Heron’s best art". Siddharta Mitter from The Boston Globe believed Russell's "swirling miasma of sound wholly suits Scott-Heron’s mood, which is angry yet humble, and even more his voice, which is rich and intent as ever".{{cite news|last=Mitter|first=Siddharta|url=https://www.boston.com/ae/music/cd_reviews/articles/2010/02/08/gil_scott_heron_im_new_here/|title=Gil Scott-Heron, 'I'm New Here'|work=The Boston Globe|date=February 8, 2010|access-date=February 10, 2010|archive-date=October 25, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121025063908/http://www.boston.com/ae/music/cd_reviews/articles/2010/02/08/gil_scott_heron_im_new_here/|url-status=live}} In The Daily Telegraph, Neil McCormick found the lyrics to be of "depth, wisdom and experience", delivered in "a voice rich with musicality, all set in a sonic context that locates him in the present moment". Rupert Howe of Q said Russell's arrangements "brilliantly frame [Scott-Heron]'s rich burr and terse street poetry with brooding electronica and stark blues handclaps". In the opinion of The Village Voice{{'}}s Stacey Anderson, "it's more emotional, more optimistic, than his past political provocations, and he hasn't sounded this lively in ages".{{cite news|last=Anderson|first=Stacey|url=https://www.villagevoice.com/2010/02/09/rebooting-gil-scott-herons-untelevised-revolution/|title=Rebooting Gil Scott-Heron's Untelevised Revolution|work=The Village Voice|location=New York|date=February 9, 2010|access-date=February 11, 2010|archive-date=February 2, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200202134704/https://www.villagevoice.com/2010/02/09/rebooting-gil-scott-herons-untelevised-revolution/|url-status=live}} Pitchfork ranked I'm New Here number 45 on its list of the Top 50 Albums of 2010,{{cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/features/staff-lists/7893-the-top-50-albums-of-2010|title=The Top 50 Albums of 2010|work=Pitchfork|date=December 16, 2010|access-date=October 18, 2011|page=1|archive-date=October 12, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111012235831/http://www.pitchfork.com/features/staff-lists/7893-the-top-50-albums-of-2010/|url-status=live}} and number 176 on its list of the 200 Best Albums of the 2010s.{{cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/features/lists-and-guides/the-200-best-albums-of-the-2010s/|title=The 200 Best Albums of the 2010s|work=Pitchfork|date=October 8, 2019|access-date=October 9, 2019|archive-date=May 3, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240503040120/https://pitchfork.com/features/lists-and-guides/the-200-best-albums-of-the-2010s/|url-status=live}} It also placed "New York Is Killing Me" at number 141 on its list of "The 200 Best Songs of the 2010s."{{cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/features/lists-and-guides/the-200-best-songs-of-the-2010s/|title=The 200 Best Songs of the 2010s|work=Pitchfork|date=October 7, 2019|access-date=October 12, 2019|archive-date=October 7, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191007154504/https://pitchfork.com/features/lists-and-guides/the-200-best-songs-of-the-2010s/|url-status=live}}

Some reviewers were less enthusiastic. Writing for Chicago Sun-Times, Jim DeRogatis deemed the album's sound "alien and unsuccessful" while describing Scott-Heron's performance as "bland philosophizing and surprisingly hollow personal reflections".{{cite news|last=DeRogatis|first=Jim|author-link=Jim DeRogatis|url=http://blogs.suntimes.com/derogatis/2010/02/gil_scott-heron_im_new_here_xl.html|title=Gil Scott-Heron, "I'm New Here" (XL Recordings)|work=Chicago Sun-Times|date=February 23, 2010|access-date=February 23, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100710222426/http://blogs.suntimes.com/music/2010/02/gil_scott-heron_im_new_here_xl.html|archive-date=July 10, 2010|url-status=dead}} Will Layman from PopMatters said it was "a thin affair—musically weak and lyrically narrow" while finding its material "unimaginative".{{cite web|last=Layman|first=Will|url=https://www.popmatters.com/pm/review/120263-gil-scott-heron-im-new-here|title=Gil Scott-Heron: I'm New Here|work=PopMatters|date=February 10, 2010|access-date=February 11, 2010|archive-date=June 5, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110605000821/http://www.popmatters.com/pm/review/120263-gil-scott-heron-im-new-here|url-status=live}}

The entire album has been reworked twice: as We're New Here by Jamie xx, released in 2011,{{cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/15140-were-new-here/|title=Gil Scott-Heron / Jamie xx, We're New Here|work=Pitchfork|date=February 22, 2011|access-date=February 25, 2020|archive-date=February 22, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200222034551/https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/15140-were-new-here/|url-status=live}} and as We're New Again: A Reimagining by Makaya McCraven, released in 2020.{{cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/gil-scott-heron-makaya-mccraven-were-new-again-a-reimagining-by-makaya-mccraven/|title=Gil Scott-Heron/Makaya McCraven, We're New Again: A Reimagining by Makaya McCraven|work=Pitchfork|date=February 7, 2020|access-date=February 25, 2020|archive-date=February 25, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200225150207/https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/gil-scott-heron-makaya-mccraven-were-new-again-a-reimagining-by-makaya-mccraven/|url-status=live}}

• All tracks were produced by Richard Russell.

{{Track listing

| title1 = On Coming from a Broken Home (Part 1)

| writer1 = Gil Scott-Heron

| length1 = 2:20

| title2 = Me and the Devil

| writer2 = Robert Johnson

| length2 = 3:33

| title3 = I'm New Here

| writer3 = Bill Callahan (album track from A River Ain't Too Much to Love)

| length3 = 3:33

| title4 = Your Soul and Mine

| writer4 = Richard Russell, Scott-Heron

| length4 = 2:02

| title5 = Parents

| note5 = Interlude

| writer5 = Scott-Heron

| length5 = 0:18

| title6 = I'll Take Care of You

| writer6 = Brook Benton

| length6 = 2:58

| title7 = Being Blessed

| note7 = Interlude

| writer7 = Scott-Heron

| length7 = 0:12

| title8 = Where Did the Night Go

| writer8 = Scott-Heron

| length8 = 1:14

| title9 = I Was Guided

| note9 = Interlude

| writer9 = Scott-Heron

| length9 = 0:14

| title10 = New York Is Killing Me

| writer10 = Scott-Heron

| length10 = 4:29

| title11 = Certain Things

| note11 = Interlude

| writer11 = Scott-Heron

| length11 = 0:08

| title12 = Running

| writer12 = Russell, Scott-Heron

| length12 = 2:00

| title13 = The Crutch

| writer13 = Russell, Scott-Heron

| length13 = 2:44

| title14 = I've Been Me

| note14 = Interlude

| writer14 = Scott-Heron

| length14 = 0:16

| title15 = On Coming from a Broken Home (Part 2)

| writer15 = Scott-Heron

| length15 = 2:15

}}

{{Track listing

| headline = Limited edition bonus tracks

| title16 = Piano Player

| note16 = Intro

| writer16 = Scott-Heron

| length16 = 0:24

| title17 = Home Is Where the Hatred Is

| writer17 = Scott-Heron

| length17 = 3:20

| title18 = Winter in America

| writer18 = Scott-Heron

| length18 = 5:33

| title19 = Jazz

| note19 = Interlude

| writer19 = Scott-Heron

| length19 = 3:24

| title20 = Is That Jazz

| writer20 = Scott-Heron

| length20 = 4:35

| title21 = A Place to Go

| note21 = Interlude

| writer21 = Scott-Heron

| length21 = 0:49

| title22 = My Cloud

| writer22 = Scott-Heron

| length22 = 3:55

}}

• Tracks 1 and 15 contain a sample from "Flashing Lights" by Kanye West.

Credits for I'm New Here adapted from liner notes.{{cite AV media notes|title=I'm New Here|author=Gil Scott-Heron|year=2010|type=album liner notes|publisher=XL Recordings}}

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

• Gil Scott-Heron – piano, vocals
• Damon Albarn – keyboards
• Mike Block – strings
• Chris Cunningham – guitar, synthesizer
• Tiona Hall – backing vocals
• Michelle Hutcherson – backing vocals
• Kim Jordan – backing vocals, piano
• Phil Lee – artwork
• Christiana Liberis – strings

{{col-2}}

• Rodaidh McDonald – additional recording and mixing
• Ichiho Nishiki – engineer
• Mischa Richter – artwork
• Richard Russell – producer, cover photo
• Tyria Stokes – backing vocals
• Mary Jo Stilp – strings
• Pat Sullivan – guitar
• Una Tone – strings
• Lawson White – engineer, string arrangements

{{col-end}}

{{reflist|30em}}

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20100218152845/http://www.230publicity.com/gilscottheron.html Press release] at 2:30 Publicity
• [https://www.theguardian.com/music/2010/feb/07/gil-scott-heron-comeback-interview Gil Scott-Heron: The Godfather of Rap Comes Back] at The Observer
• [https://www.nme.com/news/gil-scott-heron/47300 Gil Scott-Heron to release new album next year] at NME
• [http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/music_blog/2009/12/a-first-listen-to-gil-scottherons-im-new-here.html A First Listen] at Los Angeles Times

• {{Official website|http://gilscottheron.net/}}
• {{Discogs master|type=album|225047}}

{{Gil Scott-Heron}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:2010 albums

Category:Gil Scott-Heron albums

Category:XL Recordings albums

Category:Albums produced by Richard Russell

Category:Blues albums by American artists

Category:Folk albums by American artists

Category:Spoken word albums by American artists

Category:Industrial albums by American artists