Marauder (Interpol album)
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2025}}
{{Infobox album
| name = Marauder
| type = studio
| artist = Interpol
| cover = Interpol - Marauder cover art.png
| alt =
| released = {{Start date|2018|8|24}}
| recorded = December 6, 2017 – April 18, 2018
| studio = Tarbox Road (Cassadaga, New York)
| genre =
| length = 44:19
| label = Matador
| producer = Dave Fridmann
| prev_title = El Pintor
| prev_year = 2014
| next_title = A Fine Mess
| next_year = 2019
| misc = {{Singles
| name = Marauder
| type = studio
| single1 = The Rover
| single1date = June 7, 2018
| single2 = Number 10
| single2date = July 30, 2018
| single3 = If You Really Love Nothing
| single3date = August 23, 2018
}}
}}
Marauder is the sixth studio album by American rock band Interpol. It was released on August 24, 2018, by Matador Records.{{Cite web |url=https://store.matadorrecords.com/new-releases/marauder |title=Marauder by Interpol |website=Matador Records |access-date=June 7, 2018 |archive-date=September 2, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180902041242/https://store.matadorrecords.com/new-releases/marauder |url-status=dead }} The album was produced by Dave Fridmann and recorded at his studio, Tarbox Road, in Cassadaga, New York from December 6, 2017 through April 18, 2018.{{Cite web |url=http://www.davefridmann.com/dave/News.html |title=Dave Fridmann/Tarbox News |website=davefridmann.com |author=Fridmann, Dave |author-link=Dave Fridmann |access-date=June 8, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161116193421/http://www.davefridmann.com/dave/News.html |archive-date=November 16, 2016 |url-status=dead }}{{Cite magazine |last=Doherty |first=Niall |date=June 5, 2018 |title=Interpol prepare for lift-off |url=https://imgur.com/a/Q78b4Kb |magazine=Q |pages=14–15 |access-date=June 6, 2018}}
Three singles were released from the album: "The Rover" on June 7, "Number 10" on July 30, and "If You Really Love Nothing" on August 23.{{cite web|title=Kristen Stewart Stars in Interpol's Video for New Song "If You Really Love Nothing": Watch|url=https://pitchfork.com/news/kristen-stewart-stars-in-interpols-video-for-new-song-if-you-really-love-nothing-watch/|website=Pitchfork|date=23 August 2018|accessdate=August 23, 2018}}
Background
Interpol singer and guitarist Paul Banks revealed in a September 2016 Beats 1 interview that the band would resume writing music in the fall of 2016.{{cite web|url=https://itunes.apple.com/ca/post/idsa.02cd07ba-746c-11e6-b331-337373bb5a40|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161101042508/https://itunes.apple.com/ca/post/idsa.02cd07ba-746c-11e6-b331-337373bb5a40|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 1, 2016|title=Watch "Will Interpol be back?! - Paul Banks of Banks & Steelz" posted by Ebro Darden on Apple Music.|website=iTunes|access-date=June 7, 2018}} They later began holding rehearsal sessions in October.{{Cite tweet |number=792860267285733376 |user=Interpol |title=Pretty good rehearsal today. Sam crushed it.-DK |author=Interpol |author-link=Interpol (band) |date=October 30, 2016 |access-date=June 7, 2018}} In January 2017, they officially announced that their sixth studio album would be released in 2018 on Matador Records.{{Cite web |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/interpol-confirm-due-date-next-album-1958014 |title=Interpol confirm due date for next album |date=January 24, 2017 |website=NME |author=Luke Morgan Britton |access-date=June 7, 2018}} They took a break from recording the album later in the year so they could commence the anniversary tour for their 2002 debut album, Turn on the Bright Lights.{{Cite web |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/71055-interpol-announce-turn-on-the-bright-lights-anniversary-tour/ |title=Interpol Announce Turn On the Bright Lights Anniversary Tour |last=Pearce |first=Sheldon |date=January 23, 2017 |website=Pitchfork |access-date=June 7, 2018}} The tour lasted from August to October 2017.{{Cite web |url=https://consequenceofsound.net/2017/05/interpol-announce-us-dates-for-turn-on-the-bright-lights-15th-anniversary-tour/ |title=Interpol announce US dates for Turn on the Bright Lights 15th anniversary tour |last=Kaye |first=Ben |date=May 1, 2017 |website=Consequence of Sound |access-date=June 7, 2018}} They resumed work on the album afterward. In May 2018, it was revealed by the band that the album was in its mastering stage.{{Cite web |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/looks-like-interpols-new-record-almost-finished-2311105 |title=Looks like Interpol's new record is almost finished |last=Skinner |first=Tom |date=May 9, 2018 |website=NME |access-date=June 7, 2018}}
During the anniversary tour for Turn on the Bright Lights in late 2017 the band included the song "Real Life" in their encore setlist. Although it was the first song written for the album, the song wasn't included in the final cut.{{Cite web |url=http://www.londoninstereo.com/interpol-interview/ |title=Interpol // Interview |last=Collini |first=Eleonora |date=August 14, 2018 |website=London in Stereo |access-date=August 22, 2018}} On May 24, 2018, the name of the album was leaked by Pitchfork when it was accidentally included in their list "The Pitchfork Guide to New Albums: Summer 2018". The album's listing was subsequently removed.{{Cite web |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/the-pitchfork-guide-to-new-albums-summer-2018/ |title=The Pitchfork Guide to New Albums: Summer 2018 |last1=Wicks |first1=Amanda |last2=Kim |first2=Michelle |date=May 24, 2018 |website=Pitchfork |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180524143557/https://pitchfork.com/news/the-pitchfork-guide-to-new-albums-summer-2018/ |archive-date=May 24, 2018 |access-date=May 24, 2018 |last3=Blais-Billie |first3=Braudie |last4=Yoo |first4=Noah |last5=Bloom |first5=Madison}} In June, the band began posting a set of cryptic images on social media. One of the images featured a mural with coordinates printed on it, with the image being captioned "maybe it's time"; these coordinates would lead to Mexico City. They also posted a link to an RSVP page for an event in Mexico City taking place on June 7 at 9:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. CDT.{{Cite web |url=http://www.clashmusic.com/news/interpol-are-planning-something |title=Interpol Are Planning... Something |last=Murray |first=Robin |date=June 6, 2018 |website=Clash |access-date=June 7, 2018}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/interpol-mexico-city-event-2333651 |title=Interpol say "maybe it's time" while posting details of a mysterious event |last=Maine |first=Samantha |date=June 6, 2018 |website=NME |access-date=June 7, 2018}}{{Cite web |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/interpol-tease-mysterious-mexico-city-event/ |title=Interpol Tease Mysterious Mexico City Event |last1=Kim |first1=Michelle |last2=Strauss |first2=Matthew |date=June 6, 2018 |website=Pitchfork |access-date=June 7, 2018}}
Fridmann insisted on recording Marauder on two-inch tape, a rarity for modern albums, most of which are recorded digitally. Fridmann said: "It's a very different mentality as a musician, when you need to nail the take instead of asking the producer to fix it later." Guitarist Daniel Kessler said: "We liked that we weren't being overly precious with making the perfect guitar take. It was a raw record-making experience."{{Cite web|url=https://www.newsweek.com/2018/08/24/interpol-marauder-new-album-turn-bright-lights-1076562.html|title = How Interpol transcended rock nostalgia and made its best album in years|website = Newsweek|date = 16 August 2018}}
Release
The album was released on August 24, 2018. Music videos were shot for two of the three singles: "The Rover" and "If You Really Love Nothing". The music video for "The Rover" was directed by Gerardo Naranjo and was shot on location in Mexico City over the course of four days. The music video depicts the titular character as he attracts his first followers and begins to build a cult.{{Cite web|url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/music/interpol/watch-interpols-new-music-video-for-the-rover/|title = Watch Interpol's Cinematic "The Rover" Music Video|date = 10 July 2018}} The music video for "If You Really Love Nothing" was simpler, directed by Hala Matar and starring Kristen Stewart and Finn Wittrock. It was shot at a nightclub in Los Angeles and follows a young woman as she interacts with people in the club and steals items.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/interpol-release-edgy-new-video-really-love-nothing-featuring-kristen-stewart-finn-wittrock-2370105|title = Kristen Stewart and Finn Wittrock star in Interpol's edgy new video for 'If You Really Love Nothing'|website = NME|date = 23 August 2018}}
The album's cover art features a photo of the former U.S. attorney general Elliot Richardson taken by photographer Garry Winogrand. Banks explained the choice of image in an interview,{{Cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/features/interpol-interview-marauder-album-release-date-paul-banks-daniel-kessler-sam-fogarino-a8440101.html|title=Interpol explore the inner Marauder on their upcoming album â€" interview|date=2018-07-10|website=The Independent|language=en|access-date=2019-01-19}} referring to Richardson as a heroic figure, with the photo reflecting both the strength and isolation of the protagonist.
Critical reception
{{Music ratings
| MC = 73/100{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/music/marauder/interpol|title=Marauder by Interpol Reviews and Tracks|website=Metacritic|accessdate=August 30, 2018}}
| rev1 = AllMusic
| rev1score = {{Rating|4|5}}{{cite web|last=Phares|first=Heather|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/marauder-mw0003185565|title=Marauder – Interpol|website=AllMusic|accessdate=August 27, 2018}}
| rev2 = The A.V. Club
| rev2score = B{{cite web|last=Rife|first=Katie|url=https://www.avclub.com/ariana-grande-and-mogwai-lead-a-stellar-week-in-new-mus-1828553813|title=Interpol, Marauder|work=The A.V. Club|date=August 24, 2018|access-date=August 27, 2018}}
| rev3 = The Guardian
| rev3score = {{Rating|4|5}}{{cite web|last=Petridis|first=Alexis|author-link=Alexis Petridis|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2018/aug/23/interpol-marauder-album-review|title=Interpol: Marauder review – New York nihilists escape the noughties|work=The Guardian|date=August 23, 2018|accessdate=September 4, 2018}}
| rev4 = The Independent
| rev4score = {{Rating|4|5}}{{cite web|last1=Bray|first1=Elisa|last2=O'Connor|first2=Roisin|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/white-denim-performance-interpol-marauder-album-reviews-a8504511.html|title=Album reviews: White Denim – Performance; Interpol – Marauder|work=The Independent|date=August 23, 2018|accessdate=May 31, 2019}}
| rev5 = Mojo
| rev5score = {{Rating|4|5}}{{cite journal|last=Segal|first=Victoria|title=Soft power|journal=Mojo|issue=298|date=September 2018|page=87}}
| rev6 = NME
| rev6score = {{Rating|4|5}}{{cite web|last=Tandrell|first=Andrew|url=https://www.nme.com/reviews/interpol-marauder-review-2369813|title=Interpol – 'Marauder' review|work=NME|date=August 24, 2018|accessdate=December 16, 2019}}
| rev7 = Pitchfork
| rev7score = 6.1/10{{cite web|last=Cohen|first=Ian|url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/interpol-marauder/|title=Interpol: Marauder|work=Pitchfork|date=August 27, 2018|accessdate=August 27, 2018}}
| rev8 = Q
| rev8score = {{Rating|4|5}}{{cite journal|last=Barton|first=Laura|title=Kings of New York|journal=Q|issue=389|date=September 2018|pages=108–09}}
| rev9 = Rolling Stone
| rev9score = {{Rating|2.5|5}}{{cite magazine|last=Grow|first=Kory|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-album-reviews/review-interpol-clone-some-old-tricks-on-maurader-714956/|title=Review: Interpol Clone Some Old Tricks on 'Maurader'|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=August 24, 2018|accessdate=April 11, 2019}}
| rev10 = Uncut
| rev10score = 6/10{{cite journal|last=Wray|first=Daniel Dylan|title=Interpol: Marauder|journal=Uncut|issue=256|date=September 2018|page=32}}
}}
Marauder received positive reviews from critics. On review aggregator site Metacritic, the album holds an average critic score of 73 out of 100, based on 25 reviews. A preview article in Q said that the album was "a continuation of the trio's ever-so-subtle shape-shifting, each new LP adding a fresh dynamic coat to their atmospheric indie-rock". The album was heavily criticized for its production, however, with Ian Cohen of Pitchfork saying, "[The] new producer doesn’t help energize their increasingly frozen-in-time sound."{{cite web|last=Cohen|first=Ian|date=August 27, 2018|title=Interpol: Marauder|url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/interpol-marauder/|work=Pitchfork|accessdate=August 27, 2018}}
= Accolades =
The album was included in several best-albums-of-2018 year-end lists: #11 in Q
Track listing
{{Track listing
| headline = Marauder track listing
| all_writing = Interpol (Paul Banks, Sam Fogarino, Daniel Kessler)
| total_length = 44:19
| title1 = If You Really Love Nothing
| length1 = 4:25
| title2 = The Rover
| length2 = 3:37
| title3 = Complications
| length3 = 3:54
| title4 = Flight of Fancy
| length4 = 3:51
| title5 = Stay in Touch
| length5 = 4:53
| title6 = Interlude 1
| length6 = 1:01
| title7 = Mountain Child
| length7 = 3:08
| title8 = NYSMAW
| length8 = 3:16
| title9 = Surveillance
| length9 = 4:13
| title10 = Number 10
| length10 = 3:12
| title11 = Party's Over
| length11 = 3:39
| title12 = Interlude 2
| length12 = 1:03
| title13 = It Probably Matters
| length13 = 4:07
}}
Personnel
Personnel adapted from album credits.{{cite AV media notes|title=Marauder|others=Interpol|year=2018|type=album liner notes|author=Matador Records|publisher=Matador Records}}
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
Interpol
- Paul Banks – vocals, bass guitar, rhythm guitar
- Daniel Kessler – lead guitar
- Sam Fogarino – drums, percussion
Additional musicians
- Brandon Curtis – keyboards {{small|(tracks 2–4, 11)}}
- Roger Joseph Manning Jr. – keyboards {{small|(tracks 9, 13)}}
Technical personnel
- Greg Calbi – mastering
- Dave Fridmann – production, mixing, recording engineer
- Michael Fridmann – assistant engineer
{{col-2}}
Other personnel
- Matt de Jong – artwork
- Jessica Lord – management
- Jamie-James Medina – artwork, back photography
- Elliot Richardson – cover art subject
- James Sandom – management
- Garry Winogrand – cover art photography
{{col-end}}
Charts
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
|+ Chart performance for Marauder ! scope="col"| Chart (2018) ! scope="col"| Peak |
| {{album chart|Australia|26|artist=Interpol|album=Marauder|rowheader=true|accessdate=October 15, 2023}} |
| {{album chart|Austria|18|artist=Interpol|album=Marauder|rowheader=true|accessdate=September 6, 2018}} |
| {{album chart|Flanders|8|artist=Interpol|album=Marauder|rowheader=true|accessdate=August 31, 2018}} |
| {{album chart|Wallonia|6|artist=Interpol|album=Marauder|rowheader=true|accessdate=August 31, 2018}} |
| {{album chart|BillboardCanada|36|artist=Interpol|rowheader=true|accessdate=September 5, 2018}} |
| {{album chart|Netherlands|16|artist=Interpol|album=Marauder|rowheader=true|accessdate=August 31, 2018}} |
| scope="row"| Finnish Physical Albums (Suomen virallinen lista){{cite web|url=https://www.ifpi.fi/lista/artistit/interpol/marauder/|title=Interpol – Suomen virallinen lista |publisher=Musiikkituottajat|access-date=January 25, 2023}}
| 5 |
|---|
| {{album chart|Germany4|6|id=364532|artist=Interpol|album=Marauder|rowheader=true|accessdate=August 31, 2018}} |
| {{album chart|Ireland3|14|date=20180831|rowheader=true|access-date=September 1, 2023}} |
| {{album chart|Italy|22|artist=Interpol|album=Marauder|rowheader=true|accessdate=October 15, 2023}} |
| {{album chart|Portugal|10|artist=Interpol|album=Marauder|rowheader=true|accessdate=September 10, 2018}} |
| {{album chart|Scotland|5|date=20180831|rowheader=true|accessdate=September 4, 2018}} |
| {{album chart|Spain|6|artist=Interpol|album=Marauder|rowheader=true|accessdate=October 15, 2023}} |
| scope="row"| Swedish Vinyl Albums (Sverigetopplistan){{cite web|url=https://www.sverigetopplistan.se/chart/216?dspy=2018&dspp=35|title=Veckolista Vinyl, vecka 35, 2018 |publisher=Sverigetopplistan|accessdate=May 27, 2021}}
| 5 |
| {{album chart|Switzerland|13|artist=Interpol|album=Marauder|rowheader=true|accessdate=September 5, 2018}} |
| {{album chart|UK2|6|date=20180831|rowheader=true|accessdate=September 1, 2018}} |
| {{album chart|UKIndependent|1|date=20180831|rowheader=true|access-date=July 23, 2022}} |
| {{album chart|Billboard200|23|artist=Interpol|rowheader=true|accessdate=September 5, 2018}} |
| {{album chart|BillboardIndependent|4|artist=Interpol|album=Marauder|rowheader=true|accessdate=September 10, 2018}} |
| {{album chart|BillboardAlternative|3|artist=Interpol|album=Marauder|rowheader=true|accessdate=September 10, 2018}} |
| {{album chart|BillboardRock|3|artist=Interpol|album=Marauder|rowheader=true|accessdate=September 10, 2018}} |
| {{album chart|BillboardTastemaker|2|artist=Interpol|album=Marauder|rowheader=true|accessdate=September 10, 2018}} |
Release history
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
|+Release history and formats for Marauder ! scope="col"| Region ! scope="col"| Date ! scope="col"| Format ! scope="col"| Label ! scope="col"| Catalog no. |
| scope="row" rowspan="5"| Various
| rowspan="5"| August 24, 2018 | CD | rowspan="5"| Matador | OLE-1124-2 |
|---|
| 12-inch vinyl {{small|(standard edition)}}
| OLE-1124-1 |
| 12-inch vinyl {{small|(indie store exclusive)}}
| OLE-1124-0 |
| 12-inch vinyl {{small|(Matador store exclusive)}}
| OLE-1124-8 |
| {{hlist|Download|streaming}}
| OLE-1124-6 |
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Interpol (band)}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:Albums produced by Dave Fridmann
Category:Interpol (band) albums