Unlimited Love

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Unlimited Love
Red Hot Chili Peppers - Unlimited Love.png
Studio album by
Red Hot Chili Peppers
ReleasedApril 1, 2022
Recorded2021
StudioShangri-La (Malibu, California)
Length73:04
LabelWarner
ProducerRick Rubin
Red Hot Chili Peppers chronology
The Getaway
(2016) 		Unlimited Love
(2022)
Singles from Unlimited Love
  1. "Black Summer"
    Released: February 4, 2022
  2. "These Are the Ways"
    Released: March 31, 2022

Unlimited Love is the twelfth studio album by the American rock band the Red Hot Chili Peppers, released through Warner Records on April 1, 2022. Produced by Rick Rubin, the album reunites the band with guitarist John Frusciante, who left in 2009 and rejoined in 2019, replacing Josh Klinghoffer.

The first single, "Black Summer", was released in February 2022; it became the Chili Peppers' fourteenth number one on the Billboard Alternative Songs chart chart.[1][2] The second single "These Are the Ways" followed in April 2022. A world tour is set to begin in June 2022.

Background[]

Following the tour for their eleventh album, The Getaway (2016), the Red Hot Chili Peppers began writing their next album with guitarist Josh Klinghoffer. However, singer Anthony Kiedis and bassist Flea were unhappy with their progress. They wondered if they could involve guitarist John Frusciante, who had recorded several albums with the Chili Peppers, but left in 2009 and moved into making electronic music.[3] Frusciante said: "Flea had put the idea [of rejoining] in my head and I was sitting there with the guitar thinking that I hadn't written any rock music in so long. Could I still do that?"[3]

On December 15, 2019, the Chili Peppers announced that, after 10 years, Frusciante had rejoined, replacing Klinghoffer.[4] In an interview, Klinghoffer said there was no animosity: "It's absolutely John's place to be in that band ... I'm happy that he's back with them."[5] Flea said separating from Klinghoffer had been difficult, but that "artistically, in terms of being able to speak the same [musical] language, it was easier working with John. Getting back into a room and starting to play and letting the thing unfold… was really exciting."[3]

On February 8, 2020, Frusciante performed with the Chili Peppers (Stephen Perkins filled in on drums for Chad Smith who was away at an art exhibit) for the first time in 13 years, at a memorial service held by the Tony Hawk Foundation for late film producer Andrew Burkle, son of billionaire Ronald Burkle.[6] Shows were scheduled for three festivals that May,[7] but were cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[8]

Production[]

After having worked with Danger Mouse on The Getaway, the Chili Peppers brought in Rick Rubin; Rubin had produced the majority of the most successful Red Hot Chili Peppers albums, beginning with Blood Sugar Sex Magik (1991) to I'm with You (2011). Rubin said seeing their first rehearsal after Frusciante's return made him cry: "It was so thrilling to see that group of people back together because they made such great music for so long and it really hit me in an emotional way."[9]

Rehearsals were halted in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. They resumed in 2021 at Rubin's Shangri-La studio in Malibu, with around 100 new songs to work on.[3] The band described Unlimited Love as "the ride that is the sum of our lives". NME said it shared the "melancholic riffmaking, anthemic choruses and softly-sung melodies" of Frusciante's previous work with the Chili Peppers, but introduced new "grungey" and acoustic elements.[10] According to Kiedis and Frusciante, the band recorded almost 50 tracks; there are tentative plans for a follow-up album, "with a relaxed energy that’s distinct from the intensity of the record that we've made here".[3][11]

Release and promotion[]

The Red Hot Chili Peppers announced Unlimited Love on February 4, 2022.[12] The first single, "Black Summer", was released on February 4, backed by a music video directed by Deborah Chow.[12] It became the Chili Peppers' fourteenth number-one single on the Billboard charts and their 26th top-ten single on the Alternative Songs chart.[13][14] A promotional single for "Poster Child" was released on March 4, backed by a music video directed by Julien & Thami,[15][16] followed by "Not the One" on March 24.[17] The Chili Peppers are set to perform on Jimmy Kimmel Live![18] The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon[19]and The Howard Stern Show in April.[20] SiriusXM will launch the Whole Lotta Red Hot channel on April 1. The channel will feature track-by-track commentary on Unlimited Love and an exclusive concert for subsrcibers later in the year.[21]

Reception[]

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic[22]
NME[23]
Pitchfork6.2/10[24]
Clash9/10[25]

Mark Richardson of the Wall Street Journal described the album as having a "serious lack of energy and purpose" and that it "features their classic sound but little that’s new or exciting."[26] Ryan Leas of Stereogum echoed similar criticism, noting that aside from some highlights "the crime of Unlimited Love, with all its weight within RHCP’s narrative and all the excitement some might’ve felt, is that the bulk of the album is just completely unmemorable."[27] Clash rated the album 9/10, with reviewer Isabella Miller describing it as a "celebration of union, friendship, and life, all manifested across 17 tracks."[28]

Tour[]

Main article: Red Hot Chili Peppers 2022 Global Stadium Tour

On June 4, the Red Hot Chili Peppers are due to begin a stadium tour of 32 cities, starting in Seville, Spain. The shows will be supported by acts including the Strokes, Beck, Haim, St. Vincent, Anderson .Paak, Thundercat and King Princess.[29]

Track listing[]

All tracks are written by Anthony Kiedis, Flea, John Frusciante and Chad Smith.

Unlimited Love track listing
No.TitleLength
1."Black Summer"3:52
2."Here Ever After"3:50
3."Aquatic Mouth Dance"4:20
4."Not the One"4:26
5."Poster Child"5:16
6."The Great Apes"5:03
7."It's Only Natural"5:43
8."She's a Lover"3:41
9."These Are the Ways"3:56
10."Whatchu Thinkin'"3:40
11."Bastards of Light"3:38
12."White Braids & Pillow Chair"3:40
13."One Way Traffic"4:10
14."Veronica"4:28
15."Let 'Em Cry"4:23
16."The Heavy Wing"5:31
17."Tangelo"3:27
Total length:73:04
Japanese CD bonus track
No.TitleLength
18."Nerve Flip" 

Personnel[]

Red Hot Chili Peppers

  • Anthony Kiedis – lead vocals
  • Flea – bass guitar, piano (track 4), trumpet (tracks 3 and 15)
  • John Frusciante – guitars, backing vocals, synthesizers, mellotron, co-lead vocals (track 16)
  • Chad Smith – drums, percussion

Additional musicians

  • Matt Rollings – piano (tracks 1, 6)
  • Nate Walcott – trumpet (track 3)
  • Mauro Refosco – percussion (tracks 3, 8, 10, 11, 13)
  • Aura T-09 – backing vocals (track 4)
  • Cory Henry – organ (tracks 5, 15)
  • Lenny Castro – percussion (track 5)

Production

  • Rick Rubin – production
  • Ryan Hewitt – mixing
  • Bernie Grundman – mastering
  • Vlado Meller – mastering
  • Jeremy Lubsey – assistant mastering
  • Gage Freeman – co-ordinator production
  • Eric Lynn – co-originator production
  • Chris Warren – technician
  • Lawrence Malchose – studio technician
  • Charlie Bolois – studio technician
  • Henry Trejo – studio technician
  • Sami Bañuelos – band assistant

References[]

  1. ^ News, ABC (February 10, 2022). "Red Hot Chili Peppers make career-best debut on 'Billboard' Rock & Alternative Airplay chart with "Black Summer"". kshe95.com. Retrieved March 26, 2022.
  2. ^ Rutherford, Kevin (February 16, 2022). "Red Hot Chili Peppers' 'Black Summer' Crowns Rock & Alternative Airplay Chart". billboard.com. Retrieved March 26, 2022.
  3. ^ a b c d e Flood, Alex (February 4, 2022). "Red Hot Chili Peppers: "We feel fresh, like a new band"". NME. Archived from the original on February 4, 2022. Retrieved February 4, 2022.
  4. ^ Kreps, Daniel (December 15, 2019). "John Frusciante Rejoins Red Hot Chili Peppers; Josh Klinghoffer Exits". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on December 15, 2019. Retrieved April 18, 2020.
  5. ^ "Josh Klinghoffer calls firing from Red Hot Chili Peppers a "pretty simple" decision". Consequence. January 23, 2020. Archived from the original on January 24, 2020. Retrieved December 15, 2021.
  6. ^ "Watch RHCP and John Frusciante Perform Live for the First Time Since 2007". exclaim.ca. Archived from the original on February 12, 2020. Retrieved February 9, 2020.
  7. ^ "After COVID-19's over, prepare for a hug from Flea". 93.3 The Drive. Archived from the original on March 8, 2021. Retrieved April 12, 2020.
  8. ^ "Hangout Music Festival 2020 canceled due to public response and hysteria in regards to COVID-19". USA TODAY. Archived from the original on April 12, 2020. Retrieved April 12, 2020.
  9. ^ Flood, Alex (February 4, 2022). "Red Hot Chili Peppers: "We feel fresh, like a new band"". NME. Archived from the original on February 4, 2022. Retrieved February 4, 2022.
  10. ^ Flood, Alex (February 4, 2022). "Red Hot Chili Peppers: 'We feel fresh, like a new band'". NME. Archived from the original on February 4, 2022. Retrieved February 4, 2022.
  11. ^ Legapsi, Althea (February 4, 2022). "Red Hot Chili Peppers Release First Song With John Frusciante in 16 Years". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on February 4, 2022. Retrieved February 4, 2022.
  12. ^ a b Strauss, Matthew (February 4, 2022). "Red Hot Chili Peppers announce new album Unlimited Love, share video for new song 'Black Summer': Watch". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on February 4, 2022. Retrieved February 4, 2022.
  13. ^ Rutherford, Kevin (March 29, 2022). "Red Hot Chili Peppers Extend Alternative Airplay No. 1 Record With 'Black Summer'". Billboard. Retrieved March 26, 2022.
  14. ^ Rutherford, Kevin (February 16, 2022). "Red Hot Chili Peppers' 'Black Summer' crowns rock & alternative airplay chart". Billboard. Retrieved March 26, 2022.
  15. ^ Corcoran, Nina (March 4, 2022). "Listen to Red Hot Chili Peppers' new song 'Poster Child'". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on March 4, 2022. Retrieved March 4, 2022.
  16. ^ "Red Hot Chili Peppers - Poster Child (Official Music Video)". YouTube. March 4, 2022. Archived from the original on March 11, 2022. Retrieved March 6, 2022.
  17. ^ "Listen to Red Hot Chili Peppers emotional new song 'Not The One'". NME. March 24, 2022. Retrieved March 25, 2022.
  18. ^ "Jimmy Kimmel Live Schedule for the Week of 3/28/2022". abc.com. Retrieved March 26, 2022.
  19. ^ "THIS WEEK'S GUESTS". nbc.com. Retrieved March 29, 2022.
  20. ^ "RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS TO PERFORM TWO SONGS LIVE FOR UPCOMING STERN SHOW APPEARANCE". howardstern.com. February 28, 2022. Archived from the original on March 6, 2022. Retrieved March 5, 2022.
  21. ^ "Red Hot Chili Peppers to Launch Exclusive SiriusXM Channel". ktla.com. March 29, 2022. Retrieved March 29, 2022.
  22. ^ "Unlimited Love Review by Neil Z. Yeung". allmusic.com. March 31, 2022. Retrieved March 31, 2022.
  23. ^ {{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/reviews/album/red-hot-chili-peppers-unlimited-love-3194872%7Ctitle=Red Hot Chili Peppers – 'Unlimited Love': perhaps their most sprawling yet consistent album|website=NME|date=March 31, 2022|access-date=March 31, 2022
  24. ^ Sodomsky, Sam (March 31, 2022). "Red Hot Chili Peppers: Unlimited Love Album Review". Pitchfork. Retrieved March 31, 2022.
  25. ^ Miller, Isabella (March 31, 2022). "Red Hot Chili Peppers: Unlimited Love". . Retrieved March 31, 2022.
  26. ^ Richardson, Mark (March 28, 2022). "'Unlimited Love' by the Red Hot Chili Peppers Is the Group's Mildest Album Yet". Wall Street Journal. ISSN 0099-9660. Retrieved March 29, 2022.
  27. ^ "Premature Evaluation: Red Hot Chili Peppers' 'Unlimited Love'". Stereogum. March 30, 2022. Retrieved March 30, 2022.
  28. ^ "Red Hot Chili Peppers - Unlimited Love". Clash Magazine. Retrieved March 31, 2022.
  29. ^ Hussey, Allison (October 7, 2021). "Red Hot Chili Peppers reveal 2022 tour dates with the Strokes, Haim, St. Vincent, more". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on February 17, 2022. Retrieved March 4, 2022.
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