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Lonely People with Power

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Lonely People with Power
Studio album by
Deafheaven
ReleasedMarch 28, 2025 (2025-03-28)
StudioEastWest (Hollywood, California)
GenreBlackgaze
Length62:08
LabelRoadrunner
ProducerJustin Meldal-Johnsen
Deafheaven chronology
Infinite Granite
(2021) 		Lonely People with Power
(2025)
Singles from Lonely People with Power
  1. "Magnolia"
    Released: January 27, 2025
  2. "Heathen"
    Released: February 25, 2025
  3. "Winona"
    Released: March 28, 2025

Lonely People with Power is the sixth studio album by American metal band Deafheaven, released on March 28, 2025, through Roadrunner Records.[1] It was the band's first album since joining the label in 2024.[2][3]

Having previously completely abandoned black metal elements on 2021's Infinite Granite,[4] Lonely People with Power saw Deafheaven return to their usual blackgaze sound.[5][6] The album was universally acclaimed by critics, and was named a top-ten release of the year by publications such as Consequence, Decibel, Exclaim!, Kerrang!, Metal Injection and The Ringer.

Recording and themes

[edit]

Like its predecessor Infinite Granite, the album was produced by Justin Meldal-Johnsen.[7] It was recorded at EastWest Studios in Hollywood, California. It features additional vocal contributions from Boy Harsher's Jae Matthews and Interpol's Paul Banks.[8] The album's cover artwork features American former pornographic actress Jenna Haze.[9]

Both frontman George Clarke and guitarist Shiv Mehra said that the title is not an explicit political statement, but Clarke explained to Kerrang! that "power" refers to "influence" and how "to reach the top, you need to be anti-community and not watch out for other people."[10][11] He cited William Randolph Hearst as a precursor for the people that the album's title describes – those who, "in order to fulfill this lust for control, need an ironic detachment from the world around you, without generosity or humanism."[10]

Clarke's family informed multiple songs on Lonely People with Power. "Magnolia" is named after the state flower of Mississippi, where Clarke attended his uncle's funeral. "Winona" takes its title from the Mississippi town of the same name, where his grandparents lived and much of his family is buried.[10][12]

"Body Behavior" was written about an older male role model showing a younger boy pornography as an attempt at bonding. Musically, it was inspired by krautrock and Clarke described its bridge as "Infinite Granite by way of In Rainbows."[10][12]

Album closer "The Marvelous Orange Tree" touches upon themes of suicide and is named after the illusion by French magician Jean-Eugène Robert-Houdin.[10]

Release

[edit]

On January 27, 2025, Deafheaven announced Lonely People with Power, simultaneously releasing its lead single, "Magnolia".[13][14] In an interview, Sam Law of Kerrang! noted the song's more aggressive sound compared to most of Deafheaven's other material, with vocalist George Clarke replying "Yes, 'Magnolia' is quite musically aggressive. And there are parts throughout the record that sound similar. There is definitely a degree of ferocity to Lonely People with Power, but it has always been an aim for Deafheaven to maintain an emotional core and not to see things through any singular lens."[15] The music video for "Magnolia", directed by Sean Stout and Chelsea Jade, was released on the same day.[16]

On January 29, 2025, the band announced their 2025 North American tour, supported by Gatecreeper and Trauma Ray. The tour began at The Belasco in Los Angeles on April 19 and concluded in Arizona in May, before moving to Europe for a string of music festival performances throughout the summer, including England's Outbreak Fest and Germany's Rock am Ring.[17] A second single, "Heathen", was released on February 25, 2025.[18] Lonely People with Power was released by Roadrunner Records on March 28, 2025, alongside a short film for "Winona".[19]

Critical reception

[edit]
Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
AnyDecentMusic?8.0/10[20]
Metacritic85/100[21]
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusicStarStarStarStar[22]
Clash9/10[23]
Kerrang!4/5[24]
The Line of Best Fit9/10[25]
Metal HammerStarStarStarStar[26]
NMEStarStarStarStar[27]
Pitchfork7.5/10[28]
PopMatters8/10[29]
Rolling StoneStarStarStarStar[30]
Sputnikmusic5.0/5[31]

At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream publications, Lonely People with Power received an average score of 85 based on 16 reviews, indicating "universal acclaim".[21]

In a 9/10 review, Greg Hyde of The Line of Best Fit dubbed it an "artistic triumph" and Deafheaven's finest album to date, praising the band as having honed their "musicianship and songwriting abilities" and writing that the album "blends the strongest elements of a 'metal' album like New Bermuda with the strongest elements of a 'shoegaze' album like Infinite Granite, and features the band playing both metal and shoegaze better than they did on either album".[25] Brenna Ehrlich of Rolling Stone similary wrote that the band "mixes painterly lyrics, raw aggression, and earworm melodies on their best album yet".[30] Kerrang!'s Nick Russell wrote, "Six albums in, Deafheaven have made both their heaviest and most balanced, rounded record, perhaps ever."[24]

Year-end lists

[edit]
Publication Accolade Rank Ref.
Alternative Press 50 Best Albums of 2025 — [32]
Clash Albums of the Year 2025 54 [33]
Consequence The 50 Best Albums of 2025 5 [34]
Decibel Top 40 Albums of 2025 9 [35]
Drowned in Sound 25 Favourite Albums of 2025 17 [36]
Exclaim! 50 Best Albums of 2025 8 [37]
Kerrang! The 50 Best Albums of 2025 10 [38]
Metal Hammer Top 50 Albums of 2025 6 [39]
Metal Injection Top 25 Albums of 2025 1 [40]
PopMatters The 80 Best Albums of 2025 49 [41]
The Ringer The 25 Best Albums of 2025 9 [42]
Slant Magazine The 50 Best Albums of 2025 44 [43]
Stereogum The 50 Best Albums of 2025 26 [44]

Track listing

[edit]

All tracks are written by Deafheaven.

No.TitleLength
1."Incidental I"0:56
2."Doberman"6:34
3."Magnolia"4:14
4."The Garden Route"5:48
5."Heathen"5:02
6."Amethyst"8:14
7."Incidental II" (featuring Jae Matthews)4:20
8."Revelator"6:24
9."Body Behavior"5:23
10."Incidental III" (featuring Paul Banks)2:08
11."Winona"7:28
12."The Marvelous Orange Tree"5:37
Total length:62:08

Personnel

[edit]

Credits adapted from the liner notes of Lonely People with Power,[45] except where noted

Deafheaven

Additional personnel

  • Justin Meldal-Johnsen – production (at Chez JMJ), engineering (at EastWest), additional synthesizers (at Chez JMJ), sound design (at Chez JMJ)
  • Darrell Thorp – engineering (at EastWest)
  • Mike Schuppan – engineering (at EastWest)
  • Chaz Sexton – assistant engineering (at EastWest)
  • Zach Weeks – mixing and mastering (at God City Studio)
  • Jae Matthews – vocals (on "Incidental II")
  • Paul Banks – spoken word (on "Incidental III")
  • Winona Choir – vocals (track 11)
    • Chelsea Jade Metcalf
    • Trayer de la Torre
    • Georgia Nott
    • Spencer Zahn
    • Katrina Urton
    • James Kelly
    • Carly Bond
    • Lukas Frank
    • Emily Fehler
    • Leon Mosburg
  • Nick Steinhardt – creative direction (for 23in)
  • Foie Graphics – additional design

Charts

[edit]
Chart performance for Lonely People with Power
Chart (2025) Peak
position
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)[47] 90
Croatian International Albums (HDU)[48] 21
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[49] 67
Hungarian Physical Albums (MAHASZ)[50] 12
Scottish Albums (OCC)[51] 28
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)[52] 68
UK Album Downloads (OCC)[53] 24
UK Rock & Metal Albums (OCC)[54] 5
US Top Hard Rock Albums (Billboard)[55] 20

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "DEAFHEAVEN Announces New Album 'Lonely People With Power', Shares New Song 'Magnolia'". Blabbermouth.net. January 27, 2025. Retrieved January 28, 2025.
  2. ^ Lipshutz, Jason (January 27, 2025). "Deafheaven Announces New Album: 'Lonely People With Power' Will Mark Roadrunner Records Debut". Billboard. Retrieved March 27, 2025.
  3. ^ "DEAFHEAVEN sign to Roadrunner Records". lambgoat.com. Retrieved March 27, 2025.
  4. ^ Endres, Markus (April 3, 2025). "Deafheaven - 'Lonely People With Power'". metal.de (in German). Retrieved October 23, 2025.
  5. ^ Hennig, Toni. "Mit wuchtigen Klängen zurück an die Blackgaze-Spitze". laut.de (in German). Retrieved October 27, 2025.
  6. ^ "Paladin Sound Reviews: Deafheaven's Lonely People With Power". The Paladin. April 29, 2025. Retrieved October 27, 2025.
  7. ^ Sacher, Andrew. "Deafheaven release their heaviest song in 10 years with "Magnolia," announce new LP (exclusive color vinyl!)". BrooklynVegan. Retrieved January 28, 2025.
  8. ^ Duran, Anagricel. "Deafheaven announce new album 'Lonely People With Power' with heavy single 'Magnolia'". WTYE / WTAY. Retrieved March 27, 2025.
  9. ^ Haze, Jenna (January 27, 2025). "ya girl is featured on an upcoming album cover…". Threads.
  10. ^ a b c d e "Deafheaven: "If power is influence, we have a responsibility to be as…". Kerrang!. March 19, 2025. Retrieved November 29, 2025.
  11. ^ Morgan, Tom. "Long Journeys: Deafheaven Unpack The Transcendent 'Lonely People With Power' - Stereoboard". Stereoboard.com. Retrieved November 29, 2025.
  12. ^ a b "Deafheaven Provide a Glimpse Into the Making of "Lonely People with Power"". FLOOD. Retrieved November 29, 2025.
  13. ^ Galiher, Stephen Andrew (January 27, 2025). "Deafheaven Announce New Album 'Lonely People With Power,' Unleash Brutal New Single 'Magnolia'". VICE. Retrieved March 27, 2025.
  14. ^ "Deafheaven Announce New Album 'Lonely People With Power': Hear "Magnolia"". Stereogum. January 27, 2025. Retrieved January 28, 2025.
  15. ^ ""That spirit of playing fast and hard has been reinvigorated":…". Kerrang!. January 27, 2025. Retrieved January 28, 2025.
  16. ^ Keenan, Hesher (January 27, 2025). "Deafheaven Detail New Album Lonely People With Power, New Track "Magnolia" is Savage". MetalSucks. Retrieved January 28, 2025.
  17. ^ Corcoran, Nina (January 29, 2025). "Deafheaven Announce 2025 North American Tour". Pitchfork. Retrieved March 27, 2025.
  18. ^ "DEAFHEAVEN Shares New Song 'Heathen' From Upcoming 'Lonely People With Power' Album". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. February 25, 2025. Retrieved March 27, 2025.
  19. ^ Kaufman, Spencer (March 28, 2025). "Deafheaven Release New Album Lonely People with Power, Unveil "Winona" Short Film: Stream". Consequence. Retrieved March 28, 2025.
  20. ^ "Lonely People With Power by Deafheaven reviews". AnyDecentMusic?. Retrieved April 4, 2025.
  21. ^ a b "Lonely People With Power by Deafheaven Reviews and Tracks". Metacritic. Retrieved August 13, 2025.
  22. ^ Simpson, Paul (March 28, 2025). "Lonely People With Power - Deafheaven | Album Review". AllMusic. Retrieved July 31, 2025.
  23. ^ Watkins, Michael (March 27, 2025). "Deafheaven – Lonely People With Power". Clash. Retrieved March 28, 2025.
  24. ^ a b Ruskell, Nick (March 27, 2025). "Album review: Deafheaven – Lonely People With Power". Kerrang!. Retrieved March 27, 2025.
  25. ^ a b Hyde, Greg (March 26, 2025). "Deafheaven deliver their finest work on Lonely People With Power". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved March 27, 2025.
  26. ^ Mills, Matt (March 28, 2025). "Deafheaven transcended black metal and the elitists hated them for it - now they've embraced it again with their heaviest album yet". Metal Hammer. Retrieved April 4, 2025.
  27. ^ Goggins, Joe (March 26, 2025). "Deafheaven – 'Lonely People With Power' review: ferocity and maturity". NME. Retrieved March 27, 2025.
  28. ^ a b Jayasuriya, Mehan (March 28, 2025). "Deafheaven: Lonely People With Power Album Review". Pitchfork. Retrieved March 28, 2025.
  29. ^ Schmidt, Nate (April 1, 2025). "Deafheaven Are Loudly Beautiful On "Lonely People With Power"". PopMatters. Retrieved April 9, 2025.
  30. ^ a b Ehrlich, Brenna (March 27, 2025). "Deafheaven's Ragingly Beautiful 'Lonely People With Power'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved March 27, 2025.
  31. ^ "Review: Deafheaven – Lonely People With Power". Sputnikmusic. Retrieved April 11, 2025.
  32. ^ Zanes, Anna. "50 best albums of 2025". Alternative Press Magazine. Retrieved December 12, 2025.
  33. ^ "Albums Of The Year 2025 | Features". Clash Magazine Music News, Reviews & Interviews. December 15, 2025. Retrieved December 16, 2025.
  34. ^ Staff, Consequence (December 1, 2025). "The 50 Best Albums of 2025 | Consequence". Retrieved December 1, 2025.
  35. ^ Magazine, Decibel (November 12, 2025). "SPOILER: Here Are Decibel's Top 40 Albums of 2025". Decibel Magazine. Retrieved November 29, 2025.
  36. ^ "Drowned in Sound's 25 Favourite Albums of 2025: 25-11". Drowned in Sound. December 8, 2025. Retrieved December 12, 2025.
  37. ^ "Exclaim!'s 50 Best Albums of 2025". Exclaim!. Archived from the original on November 28, 2025. Retrieved November 29, 2025.
  38. ^ "The 50 best albums of 2025". Kerrang!. December 8, 2025. Retrieved December 8, 2025.
  39. ^ Alderslade, Merlin (December 11, 2025). ""This is definitely the best we've ever been." Ghost's Skeletá has been named the album of the year by Metal Hammer - read Tobias Forge's reaction and see our top 50 albums of 2025". Louder. Retrieved December 12, 2025.
  40. ^ "Metal Injection's Top 25 Albums Of 2025". Metal Injection. December 11, 2025. Retrieved December 12, 2025.
  41. ^ Staff, PopMatters (December 8, 2025). "The 80 Best Albums of 2025 » PopMatters". www.popmatters.com. Retrieved December 8, 2025.
  42. ^ "The 25 Best Albums of 2025". www.theringer.com. December 11, 2025. Retrieved December 12, 2025.
  43. ^ Staff, Slant (December 11, 2025). "The 50 Best Albums of 2025". Slant Magazine. Retrieved December 12, 2025.
  44. ^ "The 50 Best Albums Of 2025". stereogum.com. December 2, 2025. Retrieved December 2, 2025.
  45. ^ Lonely People with Power (liner notes). Deafheaven. Roadrunner Records. 2025. 075678601361.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  46. ^ a b c d Hunter-Tilney, Ludovic (March 29, 2025). "Deafheaven bring back the heaviness on Lonely People with Power — album review". Financial Times. Retrieved March 30, 2025.
  47. ^ "Ultratop.be – Deafheaven – Lonely People with Power" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved April 6, 2025.
  48. ^ "Lista prodaje 14. tjedan 2025" [Sales list Week 14 2025] (in Croatian). HDU. April 6, 2025. Archived from the original on April 17, 2025. Retrieved April 18, 2025.
  49. ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Deafheaven – Lonely People with Power" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved April 4, 2025.
  50. ^ "Album Top 40 slágerlista (fizikai hanghordozók) – 2025. 14. hét". MAHASZ. Retrieved April 9, 2025.
  51. ^ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 5, 2025.
  52. ^ "Swisscharts.com – Deafheaven – Lonely People with Power". Hung Medien. Retrieved April 6, 2025.
  53. ^ "Official Album Downloads Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 5, 2025.
  54. ^ "Official Rock & Metal Albums Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 5, 2025.
  55. ^ "Deafheaven Chart History (Top Hard Rock Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved April 12, 2025.
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