Villains (Queens of the Stone Age album)

Several of the songs from the album were previewed in some form prior to its release. The album's final track, "Villains of Circumstance", was first premiered by Josh Homme in 2014 at an acoustic concert for James Lavelle's Meltdown Festival, while "The Evil Has Landed" was performed by the band during their first gig of 2017 on June 22 at The Rapids Theatre in Niagara Falls, New York.{{cite web|last1=May|first1=Emma|title=Listen to Queens of the Stone Age Play New Song 'The Evil Has Landed'|url=http://www.spin.com/2017/06/queens-of-the-stone-age-new-song-the-evil-has-landed-live/|publisher=Spin|access-date=July 1, 2017|archive-date=June 27, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170627103523/http://www.spin.com/2017/06/queens-of-the-stone-age-new-song-the-evil-has-landed-live/|url-status=live}} "The Evil Has Landed" was released as a single on August 10, 2017. In addition to this, several snippets of songs have been featured in teaser trailers released online in promotion of the album, including a short clip of the album's opening track, "Feet Don't Fail Me", as well as an a cappella from the intro to the same song.

The album has been described as "a little looser and more uptempo than their last release ...Like Clockwork and "more carefree".{{cite magazine|last1=Grow|first1=Kory|title=Inside Queens of the Stone Age's Dark, Danceable New LP|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/features/josh-homme-on-queens-of-the-stone-ages-new-villains-lp-w490156|magazine=Rolling Stone|access-date=July 5, 2017|archive-date=July 5, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170705173918/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/features/josh-homme-on-queens-of-the-stone-ages-new-villains-lp-w490156|url-status=live}} Homme cites his interest in dancing, working with Mark Ronson, and Ronson's collaboration with Bruno Mars "Uptown Funk" for the direction of the album. Kory Grow of Rolling Stone notes, "While the guitars still have the limber crunch of Queens albums past, they're playing around easy-breezy disco beats and chilly synths on songs like "Feet Don't Fail Me" and "Un-Reborn Again."" The song "Un-Reborn Again" was seen as a nod to T. Rex by critics, with the lyrics "Scaredy nose Jack/ Scaredy nose Jack/ Knowing nothing about nothing" echoing T. Rex's "Telegram Sam" with the lines "Golden Nose Slim/ Golden Nose Slim/ I knows where you’ve been",{{cite web |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/blogs/Undertheinfluence/dancing-queens-of-the-stone-age/ |title=Dancing Queens (of the Stone Age) |date=September 27, 2017 |first=Indrajit |last=Hazra |publisher=economictimes.indiatimes.com |access-date=July 1, 2017 |archive-date=November 15, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191115034337/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/blogs/Undertheinfluence/dancing-queens-of-the-stone-age/ |url-status=live }} a T. Rex influence that Homme mentioned during the promotion of the album.

The cover art for Villains was designed by graphic artist Boneface, who designed the artwork for Queens of the Stone Age's previous album, ...Like Clockwork.{{cite web|url=https://www.instagram.com/b0neface/|title=boneface (@b0neface) • Instagram photos and videos|website=www.instagram.com|access-date=June 16, 2017}} It was the first time that the band had returned to an artist to request artwork on a subsequent album. In an interview with the Juxtapoz magazine, Boneface talked about returning to create a cover for the album and his working relationship with Josh Homme. In the article he stated that, "Returning was honestly a pretty daunting task. People seemed to like all the artwork I did for the last album, so I felt I had something to live up to. Also, the fact that QOTSA tend to use a different artist for each album cover made it kind of special that they decided to use me again. I think Josh likened our relationship to Hunter S. Thompson and Ralph Steadman in the initial rallying call. So after I’d decided to plunge back into the QOTSA jacuzzi, I started work the way I usually do, just trying to create something cool. I did a bunch of preliminary drawings before I’d heard any new songs or we’d even talk about the album, and one of those sketches actually ended up being the basis for the album cover."{{cite web|url=https://www.juxtapoz.com/news/music/queens-of-the-stone-age-josh-homme-and-boneface-on-the-art-behind-villains/|title=Queens of the Stone Age: Josh Homme and Boneface on the Art Behind "Villains"|website=Juxtapoz Magazine|access-date=August 25, 2017|archive-date=August 26, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170826193419/https://www.juxtapoz.com/news/music/queens-of-the-stone-age-josh-homme-and-boneface-on-the-art-behind-villains/|url-status=live}} Each band member was given their own artwork, with Homme's on the front cover, and the rest of the band members on the back. An alternate vinyl cover that was released exclusively through independent record stores had a light blue tint over the image, gave Josh Homme a bloody nose, and the devil behind Homme giving two middle fingers.

In the Billboard charting week of September 3, 2017, Villains was the No. 3 album on the Billboard 200 upon its first week of release, selling 73,000 equivalent units, and 69,000 in traditional album sales. It was also the best selling album of the week, starting at No. 1 on the Top Album Sales chart.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/7950042/lil-uzi-vert-luv-is-rage-2-debuts-no-1-on-billboard-200-albums-chart|title=Lil Uzi Vert's 'Luv Is Rage 2' Debuts at No. 1 on Billboard 200 Albums Chart|magazine=Billboard|last=Caulfield|first=Keith|date=September 3, 2017|access-date=September 4, 2017|archive-date=September 11, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170911150702/http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/7950042/lil-uzi-vert-luv-is-rage-2-debuts-no-1-on-billboard-200-albums-chart|url-status=live}} Likewise, it peaked at #1 in the UK Albums Chart, becoming the first Queens of the Stone Age's #1 album in the country.{{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/albums/queens-of-the-stone-age-villains/|title=VILLAINS - QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE {{!}} Official Charts|website=UK Albums Chart|date=September 7, 2017|access-date=May 4, 2024}}

{{Album ratings

| ADM = 7.6/10{{cite web|url=http://anydecentmusic.com/review/8872/Queens-Of-The-Stone-Age-Villains.aspx|title=Villains by Queens Of The Stone Age reviews|publisher=AnyDecentMusic?|access-date=August 30, 2019|archive-date=August 29, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190829162952/http://anydecentmusic.com/review/8872/Queens-Of-The-Stone-Age-Villains.aspx|url-status=live}}

| MC = 81/100{{cite web|url=http://www.metacritic.com/music/villains/queens-of-the-stone-age|title=Reviews and Tracks for Villains by Queens of the Stone Age|publisher=Metacritic|access-date=August 25, 2017|archive-date=August 26, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170826224548/http://www.metacritic.com/music/villains/queens-of-the-stone-age|url-status=live}}

| rev1 = AllMusic

| rev1Score = {{rating|4|5}}{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/villains-mw0003066830|title=Villains – Queens of the Stone Age|publisher=AllMusic|last=Erlewine|first=Stephen Thomas|author-link=Stephen Thomas Erlewine|access-date=August 25, 2017|archive-date=August 24, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170824071854/http://www.allmusic.com/album/villains-mw0003066830|url-status=live}}

| rev2 = The A.V. Club

| rev2Score = B{{cite web|url=https://www.avclub.com/queens-of-the-stone-age-cut-loose-on-villains-1798401175|title=Queens Of The Stone Age cut loose on Villains|work=The A.V. Club|last=Cosores|first=Philip|date=August 24, 2017|access-date=November 1, 2018|archive-date=May 2, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190502091623/https://www.avclub.com/queens-of-the-stone-age-cut-loose-on-villains-1798401175|url-status=live}}

| rev3 = The Guardian

| rev3Score = {{rating|4|5}}{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2017/aug/24/queens-of-the-stone-age-villains-review-josh-hommes-chemsex-vikings-beef-up-their-myth|title=Queens of the Stone Age: Villains review – Josh Homme's desert vikings beef up their myth|work=The Guardian|last=Hann|first=Michael|date=August 24, 2017|access-date=August 25, 2017|archive-date=August 25, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170825030702/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2017/aug/24/queens-of-the-stone-age-villains-review-josh-hommes-chemsex-vikings-beef-up-their-myth|url-status=live}}

| rev4 = The Independent

| rev4Score = {{rating|4|5}}{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/album-reviews-queens-of-the-stone-age-villains-the-war-on-drugs-a-deeper-understanding-izzi-dunn-a7909826.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220817/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/album-reviews-queens-of-the-stone-age-villains-the-war-on-drugs-a-deeper-understanding-izzi-dunn-a7909826.html |archive-date=August 17, 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Album reviews: Queens Of The Stone Age – Villains, The War On Drugs – A Deeper Understanding, and more|work=The Independent|last=Gill|first=Andy|date=August 24, 2017|access-date=November 1, 2018}}

| rev5 = Mojo

| rev5score = {{rating|4|5}}{{cite journal|title=Uptown punk|first=Keith|last=Cameron|journal=Mojo|issue=286|date=September 2017|page=84}}

| rev6 = NME

| rev6Score = {{rating|4|5}}{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/reviews/queens-stone-age-villains-review-2128338|title=Queens Of The Stone Age – 'Villains' Review|work=NME|last=Cooper|first=Leonie|date=August 24, 2017|access-date=December 12, 2019|archive-date=December 12, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191212113213/https://www.nme.com/reviews/queens-stone-age-villains-review-2128338|url-status=live}}

| rev7 = Pitchfork

| rev7Score = 6.9/10{{cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/queens-of-the-stone-age-villains/|title=Queens of the Stone Age: Villains|work=Pitchfork|last=Camp|first=Zoe|date=August 28, 2017|access-date=August 28, 2017|archive-date=August 28, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170828090334/http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/queens-of-the-stone-age-villains/|url-status=live}}

| rev8 = Q

| rev8score = {{rating|4|5}}{{cite journal|title=Dancing Queens|first=Dave|last=Everley|journal=Q|issue=376|date=September 2017|page=114}}

| rev9 = Rolling Stone

| rev9Score = {{rating|4|5}}{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-album-reviews/review-queens-of-the-stone-age-get-glammy-groove-centric-with-mark-ronson-202400/|title=Review: Queens of the Stone Age Get Glammy, Groove-Centric With Mark Ronson|magazine=Rolling Stone|last=Hermes|first=Will|author-link=Will Hermes|date=August 25, 2017|access-date=August 25, 2017|archive-date=July 9, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190709173436/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-album-reviews/review-queens-of-the-stone-age-get-glammy-groove-centric-with-mark-ronson-202400/|url-status=live}}

| rev10 = Uncut

| rev10Score = 8/10{{cite web|url=https://www.uncut.co.uk/reviews/album/queens-stone-age-villains|title=Queens Of The Stone Age – Villains|work=Uncut|last=Bonner|first=Michael|date=August 21, 2017|access-date=November 1, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170923215540/https://www.uncut.co.uk/reviews/album/queens-stone-age-villains|archive-date=September 23, 2017}}

}}

Villains received widespread acclaim from music critics. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the album has an average score of 81 based on 30 reviews, indicating 'universal acclaim'.

Giving the album four out of five, AllMusic editor Stephen Thomas Erlewine claimed that "At this stage, Queens of the Stone Age don't have many new tricks in their bag, but their consummate skill -- accentuated by the fact that this is the first QOTSA album that features just the band alone, not even augmented by Mark Lanegan -- means they know when to ratchet up the tempo, when to slide into a mechanical grind, and when to sharpen hooks so they puncture cleanly. All that makes Villains a dark joy, a record that offers visceral pleasure in its winking menace." In his review for Rolling Stone, Will Hermes wrote, "Queens of the Stone Age always sounded like the best glam-band name ever, and while Josh Homme's free-ranging heavy rock hypnotists were never quite that, they come as close as ever on Villains."

In a more reserved review for Pitchfork, contributor Zoe Camp concluded that, "Villains isn’t always so smooth and several sections fall flat, like the staccato-spiked funk that surfaces midway through “The Evil Has Landed” or the melodically static refrains on “Fortress.” Nevertheless, the stalled moments don't detract from the fun of the ride. Queens’ final destination is what matters—and a beeline into the unknown sure beats another go at the merry-go-round. Villains reaffirms what makes this band so special to begin with: their willingness to blow up the status quo as established by their riff-rock brethren, and even themselves."

Amongst the most critical reviews was an article by Will Butler for Under the Radar. In the review, Butler claimed "It'll be of concern to Queens purists that Villains pulls from sounds that expired a decade ago and beyond. Dwelling on better times of a bygone era is a fundamental pillar of escapism, but it's disconcerting when one of the most uncompromising, forward-thinking bands in the rock pantheon leans so heavily on what worked in the past that they forget that the onus is on them to innovate."{{cite web|url=http://www.undertheradarmag.com/reviews/queens_of_the_stone_age_villains/|title=Queens of the Stone Age: Villains (Matador) Review|publisher=Under the Radar|last=Butler|first=Will|access-date=September 6, 2017|archive-date=September 6, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170906183452/http://www.undertheradarmag.com/reviews/queens_of_the_stone_age_villains/|url-status=live}}

{{Track listing

| all_lyrics = Josh Homme

| all_music = Queens of the Stone Age

| title1 = Feet Don't Fail Me

| length1 = 5:41

| title2 = The Way You Used to Do

| length2 = 4:34

| title3 = Domesticated Animals

| length3 = 5:20

| title4 = Fortress

| length4 = 5:27

| title5 = Head Like a Haunted House

| length5 = 3:21

| title6 = Un-Reborn Again

| length6 = 6:40

| title7 = Hideaway

| length7 = 4:18

| title8 = The Evil Has Landed

| length8 = 6:30

| title9 = Villains of Circumstance

| length9 = 6:09

| total_length = 48:00

}}

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Queens of the Stone AgeVillains (liner notes). Queens of the Stone Age. Matador Records. 2017.{{failed verification|date=March 2025}}

• Josh Homme – lead vocals, guitars
• Troy Van Leeuwen – guitars, keys, backing vocals
• Dean Fertita – keys, guitar, backing vocals
• Michael Shuman – bass guitar, vocals
• Jon Theodore – drums

Additional personnel

• Nikka Costa – background vocals
• Matt Sweeney – background vocals
• Fred Martin – background vocals
• Tai Phillips – background vocals
• Faith Matovia – background vocals
• The Section Quartet – strings on tracks 1, 3{{Citation needed|reason=liner notes do not specify track numbers|date=March 2018}}, 6{{Cite web |url=http://iamtunedup.com/queens-of-the-stone-age-return-as-rocks-favorite-villains/ |title=Queens Of The Stone Age Return As Rock's Favorite Villains |website=Tuned Up |access-date=March 28, 2018 |archive-date=August 20, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220820002015/https://www.iamtunedup.com/queens-of-the-stone-age-return-as-rocks-favorite-villains/ |url-status=live }}
• James King – saxophone on tracks 2{{Citation needed|reason=liner notes do not specify track numbers|date=March 2018}}, 6

{{col-2}}

Production and design

• Mark Ronson – production
• Mark Rankin – co-production, engineering
• Wesley Seidman – engineering assistant
• Justin Smith – engineering assistant
• Caesar Edmunds – mix engineering
• Alan Moulder – mixing
• Gavin Lurssen – mastering
• Reuben Cohen – mastering
• Matt Zivich – guitar technician
• Wayne Faler – guitar technician
• Sahir Hanif – drum technician
• Boneface – design, illustrations

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{{Certification Table Top}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Australia|type=album|award=Gold|relyear=2017|certyear=2024|access-date=April 17, 2024}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Canada|type=album|artist=Queens of the Stone Age|title=Villains|relyear=2017|certyear=2023|award=Gold|access-date=January 22, 2025}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|type=album|artist=Queens of the Stone Age|title=Villains|relyear=2017|certyear=2021|award=Gold|source=radioscope|access-date=January 22, 2025}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|type=album|artist=Queens of the Stone Age|title=Villains|id=14629-767-2|relyear=2017|certyear=2022|award=Gold|access-date=December 3, 2022}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|type=album|artist=Queens of the Stone Age|title=Villains|access-date=November 21, 2017|salesamount=130,000|salesref={{Cite web|url=https://www.metalinsider.net/columns/metal-by-numbers/metal-by-numbers-2-28-the-charts-will-find-you|title=Metal By Numbers 2/28: The charts will find youMetal Insider|date=February 28, 2018|access-date=December 3, 2019|archive-date=September 26, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200926055827/https://www.metalinsider.net/columns/metal-by-numbers/metal-by-numbers-2-28-the-charts-will-find-you|url-status=live}}|nocert=true}}

{{Certification Table Summary}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Worldwide|nocert=true|salesamount=400,000|salesref={{cite web|url=http://www.anuariossgae.com/anuario2018/frames.html|page=27|title=Los lanzamientos de álbumes de más éxito global 2018|publisher=Anuarios SGAE|access-date=18 August 2019|archive-date=February 26, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200226040751/http://www.anuariossgae.com/anuario2018/frames.html|url-status=live}}}}

{{Certification Table Bottom|nosales=true|streaming=true|noshipments=true}}

{{reflist}}

{{Queens of the Stone Age}}

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Category:2017 albums

Category:Queens of the Stone Age albums

Category:Albums produced by Mark Ronson

Category:Matador Records albums

Category:Alternative rock albums by American artists

Category:Dance-rock albums

Category:Boogie rock albums