Glasgow Eyes
| Company type | studio album |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 22 March 2024 |
| Founder | The Jesus and Mary Chain |
| Products | Music album |
Glasgow Eyes represents the eighth full-length album from the Scottish alternative rock group the Jesus and Mary Chain, released on 22 March 2024 via Fuzz Club. This marks their first studio album in seven years, following the 2017 release of Damage and Joy.
The record garnered favorable critiques and entered the UK Albums Chart at number 7, becoming their first top 10 entry since the 1988 compilation Barbed Wire Kisses.
Background and promotion
The creation of Glasgow Eyes primarily took place at Castle of Doom Studios in Glasgow. According to Jim Reid, the album fulfills expectations typical of a Jesus and Mary Chain project. Celebrating four decades as a band, Reid emphasized that their creative process has remained consistent since 1984: "just hit the studio and see what happens." They produced a wide array of tracks without adhering to strict guidelines, relying heavily on the strong artistic rapport between Jim and William Reid.
While staying true to their signature sound, modern musical influences shaped the album’s production, including the integration of synthesizers to modify their sonic palette. William Reid disclosed that the album had to be entirely re-recorded after the original sessions were lost by their engineer, necessitating a complete restart.
The lead single, "Jamcod," was unveiled alongside the album announcement on 29 November 2023. This track showcases William Reid's proficiency with synthesizers, merging dark electronic textures with guitar-driven elements. The band has scheduled a European tour for March and April 2024.
On 22 February 2024, it was announced that the album’s release date would be postponed by two weeks, moving to 22 March.
Critical reception
Glasgow Eyes achieved a score of 77 out of 100 on Metacritic, indicating "generally favorable reviews". Mojo commended the extensive use of electronic components as both a refreshing development and a return to roots, describing it as "a positive twist in the saga of these negaholics synonymous". Uncut observed that William and Jim Reid continue to be "defiantly out of time," while Classic Rock praised the album’s closing track for its Velvet Underground-inspired fuzz-rock vibe, deeming it an apt conclusion for an album that bolsters their legacy with "sizzling acid". Record Collector characterized Glasgow Eyes as a "staggering, swaggering achievement," representing their most vital work in over three decades.
Year-end lists
| Publication/critic | Recognition | Position |
|---|---|---|
| MOJO | 75 Best Albums of 2024 | 47 |
| Rough Trade UK | Albums of the Year 2024 | 65 |
| Uncut | 80 Best Albums of 2024 | 63 |
The Jesus and Mary Chain
- Jim Reid – vocals on tracks 1, 4, 7, 9–11; instruments; production
- William Reid – vocals on tracks 2, 3, 5–8, 12; instruments; production; artwork
Additional personnel
- Fay Fife – lead vocals (track 1)
- Rachel Conti – lead vocals (track 11)
- James Mason – handclaps (track 7)
- Marjorie Mason – handclaps (track 7)
- Tony Doogan – programming, piano, engineering, mixing
- George Arnold – additional engineering support
- Duncan Chave – additional engineering support
- Dollar Bill McLeish – additional engineering support
- Dan Doherty – assistant mixing engineer
- Pete Maher – mastering engineer
Charts
Template:Album chartTemplate:Album chartTemplate:Album chartTemplate:Album chartTemplate:Album chartTemplate:Album chartTemplate:Album chartTemplate:Album chartTemplate:Album chartTemplate:Album chartTemplate:Album chart| Chart | Highest position achieved |
|---|---|
| Croatian International Albums (Top of the Shops) | 33 |
| Irish Independent Albums (Irish Recorded Music Association) | 12 |
| Spanish Albums (Productores de Música de España) | 60 |
| Swedish Physical Albums (Sverigetopplistan) | 5 |