ssss
{{Other uses|SSSS (disambiguation){{!}}SSSS}}
{{Infobox album
| name = Ssss
| type = studio
| artist = VCMG
| cover = VCMG_-_Ssss.jpg
| border = yes
| alt =
| released = {{Start date|2012|3|12|df=yes}}
| recorded =
| studio =
| genre = Techno
| length = {{Duration|m=58|s=50}}
| label = Mute{{Cite web|url=http://mute.com/vcmg/album-details-ssss-release-date-announced|title=Mute Records • VCMG • Album Details 'Ssss' Release Date Announced.|date=January 10, 2012}}
| producer =
- Martin L. Gore
- Vince Clarke{{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/vcmg-mn0002832455/biography|title=VCMG | Biography & History|website=AllMusic}}
| prev_title =
| prev_year =
| next_title =
| next_year =
| misc = {{Singles
| name = Ssss
| type = studio
| single1 = Spock
| single1date =
| single2 = Single Blip
| single2date =
| single3 = Aftermaths
| single3date =
}}
}}
{{Music ratings
|rev1 = AllMusic
|rev1score = {{rating|3.5|5}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/ssss-mw0002295463|title=SSSS - VCMG | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic|via=www.allmusic.com}}
|rev2 = Consequence of Sound
|rev2score = C+{{Cite web|url=https://consequenceofsound.net/2012/03/album-review-vcmg-ssss/|title=Album Review: VCMG - Ssss|date=March 14, 2012}}
|rev3 = The Guardian
|rev3score = {{rating|3|5}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.theguardian.com/music/2012/mar/08/vcmg-ssss-review|title=VCMG: Ssss – review|date=March 8, 2012|website=the Guardian}}
|rev4 = NME
|rev4score = {{rating|4|5}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/reviews/reviews-various-artists-12846-319887|title=VCMG - 'SSSS' | NME|website=NME |date=March 12, 2012}}
|rev5 = Pitchfork
|rev5score = 6.5/10{{Cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/16369-ssss/|title=VCMG: Ssss|website=Pitchfork}}
|rev6 = Spin
|rev6score = 6/10{{Cite web|url=https://www.spin.com/2012/03/vcmg-ssss-mute/|title=VCMG, 'Ssss' (Mute)|date=March 30, 2012|website=Spin}}
}}
Ssss is the debut studio album by English electronic music duo VCMG.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/music/reviews/rmwx/|title=BBC - Music - Review of VCMG - SSSS|first=Ian|last=Wade|website=www.bbc.co.uk}} It was released in 2012 by Mute Records.{{Cite web|url=https://www.factmag.com/2012/03/05/vcmb-ssss/|title=VCMG - Ssss|date=March 5, 2012}}
Critical reception
The Guardian wrote that "the analogue synths and electronic squelches could have boomed out of a darkened club at any time in the last two decades, but repeated listens reveal expertise with a sense of fun." The Quietus wrote that "not least of its triumphs is that – without context, without history – it is simply fantastic music to dance to."{{Cite web|url=https://thequietus.com/articles/08343-vcmg-ssss-review|title=The Quietus | Reviews | VCMG|website=The Quietus}}
Track listing
{{Track listing
| all_writing = Martin L. Gore and Vince Clarke
| total_length = 58:50
| title1 = Lowly
| length1 = 5:27
| title2 = Zaat
| length2 = 6:28
| title3 = Spock
| length3 = 5:40
| title4 = Windup Robot
| length4 = 5:25
| title5 = Bendy Bass
| length5 = 6:04
| title6 = Single Blip
| length6 = 5:47
| title7 = Skip This Track
| length7 = 5:40
| title8 = Aftermaths
| length8 = 6:21
| title9 = Recycle
| length9 = 6:37
| title10 = Flux
| length10 = 5:17
}}
Personnel
Credits adapted from the liner notes of the booklet of Ssss.
- Martin L. Gore – programming, production
- Vince Clarke – programming, production
- Sie Medway-Smith – recording, engineering
- Timothy "Q" Wiles – mixing
- Stefan Betkbat – mastering
- Jan L. Trigg – illustrations
- Paula A. Taylor – design
- Travis Shinn & David Wade – studio photography
Charts
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |
| scope="col"| Chart (2012)
! scope="col"| Peak |
|---|
| {{album chart|Austria|47|artist=VCMG|album=Ssss|rowheader=true|accessdate=3 August 2019}} |
| {{album chart|Wallonia|64|artist=VCMG|album=Ssss|rowheader=true|accessdate=3 August 2019}} |
| {{album chart|France|159|artist=VCMG|album=Ssss|rowheader=true|accessdate=3 August 2019}} |
| {{album chart|Germany4|21|id=191138|artist=VCMG|album=Ssss|rowheader=true|accessdate=3 August 2019}} |
| {{album chart|Switzerland|48|artist=VCMG|album=Ssss|rowheader=true|accessdate=3 August 2019}} |
| {{album chart|UK2|81|date=20120318|rowheader=true|accessdate=3 August 2019}} |
| {{album chart|UKDance|11|date=20120318|rowheader=true|accessdate=3 August 2019}} |
| {{album chart|BillboardHeatseekers|13|artist=VCMG|rowheader=true|accessdate=3 August 2019}} |
| {{album chart|BillboardDanceElectronic|10|artist=VCMG|rowheader=true|accessdate=3 August 2019}} |