Formal Growth in the Desert
| Formal Growth in the Desert | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | June 2, 2023 | |||
| Recorded | August 1–14, 2022 | |||
| Studio | Sonic Ranch (Tornillo, Texas) | |||
| Genre | Post-punk | |||
| Length | 37:41 | |||
| Label | Domino | |||
| Producer | Greg Ahee, Jake Aron | |||
| Protomartyr chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Formal Growth in the Desert | ||||
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Formal Growth in the Desert is the sixth studio album by American post-punk band Protomartyr. It was released on June 2, 2023, on Domino Records.[1] It was preceded by the three singles Make Way, Elimination Dances and Polacrilex Kid.
Critical reception
| Aggregate scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AnyDecentMusic? | 8.0/10[2] |
| Metacritic | 80/100[3] |
| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [4] |
| DIY | [5] |
| Exclaim! | 7/10[6] |
| The Line of Best Fit | 9/10[7] |
| NME | [8] |
| Pitchfork | 7.6/10[9] |
| PopMatters | 8/10[10] |
| The Skinny | [11] |
| Slant Magazine | [12] |
| Sputnikmusic | 4.1/5[13] |
At Metacritic, which assigns a weighted average rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, Formal Growth in the Desert received a rating of 80 out of 100 based on thirteen critic reviews, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[3]
Track listing
All tracks are written by Protomartyr.
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Make Way" | 2:58 |
| 2. | "For Tomorrow" | 2:27 |
| 3. | "Elimination Dances" | 3:37 |
| 4. | "Fun in Hi Skool" | 2:43 |
| 5. | "Let's Tip the Creator" | 3:43 |
| 6. | "Graft vs. Host" | 2:52 |
| 7. | "3800 Tigers" | 2:24 |
| 8. | "Polacrilex Kid" | 3:48 |
| 9. | "Fulfillment Center" | 1:53 |
| 10. | "We Know the Rats" | 2:56 |
| 11. | "The Author" | 3:21 |
| 12. | "Rain Garden" | 4:59 |
| Total length: | 37:41 | |
Personnel
Adapted from album liner notes:
Protomartyr
- Joe Casey – vocals
- Greg Ahee – guitars, synth
- Alex Leonard – drums
- Scott Davidson – bass guitar
Guest musicians
- Bill Radcliffe – pedal steel
Additional credits
- Jake Aron – recording engineer, mixing
- Sarah Register – master
- Mario Ramirez – assistant engineer
- Nat Chernitsky Rittner – assistant engineer
- Diego Mendoza – assistant engineer
- Trevor Naud – photos
- Nicholas Kitakis – cover model
- Breonna Phillips – cover model
- Joe Casey (credited as "JKB Casey") – layout
- Jeff Arcel – layout
Charts
| Chart (2023) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Scottish Albums (OCC)[14] | 29 |
| UK Album Downloads (OCC)[15] | 49 |
| UK Independent Albums (OCC)[16] | 10 |
References
- ^ "Protomartyr Announce New Album Formal Growth in the Desert, Share Video for New Song". Pitchfork. March 7, 2023. Retrieved April 26, 2023.
- ^ "Formal Growth in the Desert by Protomartyr reviews | Any Decent Music". AnyDecentMusic?. Retrieved April 22, 2025.
- ^ a b "Formal Growth in the Desert by Protomartyr Reviews and Tracks". Metacritic. Retrieved May 15, 2024.
- ^ Deming, Mark. "Formal Growth in the Desert – Protomartyr | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved May 15, 2024.
- ^ Lombardi, Matthew (May 31, 2023). "Protomartyr – Formal Growth in the Desert review". DIY. Retrieved May 15, 2024.
- ^ Ryan, Madison (June 5, 2023). "Protomartyr March Toward Love on 'Formal Growth in the Desert'". Exclaim!. Retrieved April 23, 2025.
- ^ Horton, Ross (June 2, 2023). "Protomartyr firmly establish themselves as some of Detroit's finest with Formal Growth In The Desert". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved April 22, 2025.
- ^ Campbell, Erica (June 5, 2023). "Protomartyr – 'Formal Growth in the Desert' review". NME. Retrieved April 22, 2025.
- ^ Minsker, Evan (June 6, 2023). "Protomartyr: Formal Growth in the Desert". Pitchfork. Retrieved April 22, 2025.
- ^ Ross, Allison (June 26, 2023). "Protomartyr Showcase Subtle Expansion of Their Shadowy Sound". PopMatters. Retrieved April 23, 2025.
- ^ Turner-Heffer, Adam (May 31, 2023). "Protomartyr – Formal Growth in the Desert". The Skinny. Retrieved April 22, 2025.
- ^ Barrett, Fred (May 29, 2023). "Protomartyr Formal Growth in the Desert Review: Expansion into Uncharted Terrain". Slant Magazine. Retrieved April 22, 2025.
- ^ "Review: Protomartyr – Formal Growth In The Desert". Sputnikmusic. Retrieved April 22, 2025.
- ^ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 10, 2023.
- ^ "Official Album Downloads Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 10, 2023.
- ^ "Official Independent Albums Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 10, 2023.