Venus in Leo
| Venus in Leo | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 30 August 2019 | |||
| Recorded | 2018–2019[1] | |||
| Studio | Dandenong Ranges, Melbourne[1] | |||
| Length | 41:57 | |||
| Label | Ghostly International | |||
| Producer | HTRK | |||
| HTRK chronology | ||||
| ||||
Venus in Leo is the fourth studio album by Australian band HTRK.[2] It was released on 30 August 2019 by Ghostly International. It received generally favorable reviews from critics.[3]
Background
HTRK consists of Jonnine Standish and Nigel Yang.[4] Venus in Leo is HTRK's first studio album since Psychic 9–5 Club (2014).[5] The album was recorded in the band's home studio in the Dandenong Ranges outside of Melbourne.[6] It includes a cover version of Missy Elliott's song "Hit 'Em wit da Hee".[7] Music videos were released for "You Know How to Make Me Happy",[6] "Venus in Leo", and "New Year's Day".[8]
Critical reception
| Aggregate scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Metacritic | 78/100[3] |
| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [9] |
| Pitchfork | 7.6/10[10] |
| Tiny Mix Tapes |  [11] |
According to the review aggregator Metacritic, Venus in Leo received "generally favorable reviews" based on a weighted average score of 78 out of 100 from 7 critic scores.[3]
Paul Simpson of AllMusic described Venus in Leo as "HTRK's most sensuous material yet" and "the type of album that provokes repeated, enraptured listens."[9] Joshua Minsoo Kim of Pitchfork commented that "HTRK are at their most vulnerable here, sounding in desperate need of sating desires before they are paralyzed by listlessness and disappointment."[10] He added, "Venus in Leo is an album for those who feel doomed to a repeating cycle of failed loves and dashed hopes, for when one's existence can resemble the fading apparitions that adorn the album cover."[10] Will Lynch of Resident Advisor stated, "HTRK create something their fans will never tire of: a dark, sensual, poetic languor that's theirs alone."[12]
Accolades
| Publication | List | Rank | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| DJ Mag | DJ Mag's Top 50 Albums of 2019 | 42
|
Track listing
All tracks are written by Jonnine Standish and Nigel Yang, except "Hit 'Em wit da Hee" by Melissa Elliott, Kim Jones, and Timothy Mosley.
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Into the Drama" | 3:51 |
| 2. | "Mentions" | 6:22 |
| 3. | "Venus in Leo" | 5:46 |
| 4. | "You Know How to Make Me Happy" | 3:47 |
| 5. | "Dream Symbol" | 5:20 |
| 6. | "Hit 'Em wit da Hee" | 3:17 |
| 7. | "Dying of Jealousy" | 5:16 |
| 8. | "New Year's Day" | 3:56 |
| 9. | "New Year's Eve" | 4:22 |
| Total length: | 41:57 | |
Personnel
Credits adapted from liner notes.[1]
- HTRK – production
- Nigel Yang – mixing
- Jeremy Yang – mixing
- Rashad Becker – mastering
- Warwick Baker – cover photography
- Nathan Corbin – inside photography
- Tony Lowe – inside photography
- JCS – sleeve design
References
- ^ a b c HTRK (2019). Venus in Leo (CD booklet). Ghostly International.
- ^ Lymangrover, Jason. "HTRK". AllMusic. Retrieved 15 July 2025.
- ^ a b c "Venus in Leo by HTRK". Metacritic. Retrieved 23 November 2019.
- ^ Bruce-Jones, Henry (10 July 2019). "HTRK return to Ghostly with new album". Fact. Archived from the original on 10 July 2019. Retrieved 23 November 2019.
- ^ "Melbourne Duo HTRK next on Ghostly with fourth studio album". XLR8R. 10 July 2019. Archived from the original on 10 July 2019. Retrieved 23 November 2019.
- ^ a b Posner, Nina (11 July 2019). "HTRK to release Venus in Leo". Resident Advisor. Archived from the original on 17 July 2019. Retrieved 23 November 2019.
- ^ Cluness, Bob (4 September 2019). "HTRK — Venus In Leo". The Quietus. Retrieved 15 July 2025.
- ^ Martin, Josh (21 December 2020). "HTRK share cinematic music video for 'New Years Day'". NME. Retrieved 15 July 2025.
- ^ a b Simpson, Paul. "Venus in Leo - HTRK". AllMusic. Retrieved 23 November 2019.
- ^ a b c Minsoo Kim, Joshua (3 September 2019). "HTRK: Venus in Leo". Pitchfork. Retrieved 23 November 2019.
- ^ Kneschke, Tristan. "HTRK - Venus in Leo". Tiny Mix Tapes. Retrieved 23 November 2019.
- ^ Lynch, Will (6 September 2019). "HTRK - Venus In Leo". Resident Advisor. Archived from the original on 1 October 2019. Retrieved 15 July 2025.
- ^ "DJ Mag's top 50 albums of 2019". DJ Mag. 17 December 2019. Retrieved 15 July 2025.
Further reading
- Sawers, Claire (27 August 2019). "No Dramas: HTRK Interviewed". The Quietus.
External links
- Venus in Leo at Discogs (list of releases)