Brutal Romantic is the fourth studio album by New Zealand singer-songwriter Brooke Fraser. It was released on 18 November 2014 in Australia,[1] New Zealand, North America and Asia, and in Spring 2015 in Europe.[2] It was produced by Fraser and David Kosten. It was recorded at Kosten's West London studio, and the orchestral parts were recorded at the legendary Abbey Road Studios.[3]

Brutal Romantic
Studio album by
Released18 November 2014 (2014-11-18)
GenrePop
Length37:05
LabelVagrant
ProducerBrooke Fraser
Brooke Fraser chronology
Flags
(2010)
Brutal Romantic
(2014)
A Sides
(2016)
Singles from Brutal Romantic
  1. "Kings & Queens"
    Released: 23 September 2014

The album's first track "Psychosocial" was released 13 August 2014 as a taster track[4] ahead of the album's first single "Kings & Queens", which was sent to radio 23 September 2014.[citation needed]

Track listing

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No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Psychosocial"Brooke Fraser3:01
2."Thunder"Fraser, Matt Hales3:39
3."Start a War"Fraser, Scott Ligertwood3:10
4."Kings & Queens"Fraser, Ligertwood, Joel Pott3:36
5."Bloodrush"Fraser3:39
6."Brutal Romance"Fraser4:46
7."Je Suis Pret"Fraser, Kid Harpoon4:24
8."Magical Machine"Fraser, Dan Wilson4:05
9."New Histories"Fraser, Tobias Fröberg3:39
10."New Year's Eve"Fraser3:00
Total length:37:05

Personnel

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  • Brooke Fraser – vocals, keyboards (1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 9, 10), programming (1, 10), acoustic piano (2-7), guitars (2, 5)
  • David Kosten – synthesizers, programming, percussion (2, 4, 5)
  • Matt Hales – additional programming (2)
  • Ryan Taubert – additional programming (4)
  • Dan Wilson – keyboards (8)
  • Tobias Fröberg – synthesizers (9), guitars (9)
  • Kid Harpoon – guitars (7)
  • James Ahwai – bass (2, 4, 5, 10)
  • Jason Cooper – drums (4, 6, 7)
  • IDMC Choir – choir (1, 7)
  • John Fisher – choirmaster (1, 7)
  • Joel Pott – additional vocals (4)

Orchestra

  • John Metcalfe – arrangements and conductor
Horns on "Brutal Romance"
Strings on "Brutal Romance" and "Magical Machine"
  • Lucy Whaley – string fixing
  • Louise Fuller – string leader
  • Chris Allen, Ian Burdge, Vicki Matthews, Nick Roberts, Jonathan Tunnell and Bozidar Vulkotic – cello
  • Colin Paris, Beth Simmons, Allen Walley and Chris West – double bass
  • Rolad Chbah, Bill Hawkes, Nick Pendlebury, Rose Redgrave, Rachel Roberts and Steve Toos – viola
  • Natalie Bonner, Gillon Cameron, Frances Dewar, Alison Dods, Louise Fuller, Richard George, Kathy Gowers, Pete Hanson, Claire Hayes, Ian Humphries, Rick Koster, Oll Langford, Nicky Sweeney and Chris Windass – violin

Production

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  • Paul Harris – A&R
  • Brooke Fraser – producer, additional recording (1, 3, 10)
  • David Kosten – producer, recording, mixing, vocal recording (6)
  • Dan Wilson – producer (8)
  • Mo Hausler – additional recording, additional editing
  • Matt Hales – additional recording (2)
  • Joel Pott – additional recording (4)
  • Kid Harpoon – additional recording (7)
  • Tobias Fröberg – additional recording (9)
  • Al Lawson – recording assistant (1, 4, 6, 7), editing assistant (1, 4, 6, 7)
  • Steve Orchard – vocal recording (6), orchestra recording (6, 8)
  • Jamie Ashton – orchestra recording assistant (6, 8)
  • Paul Pritchard – orchestra recording assistant (6, 8)
  • John Rausch – vocal recording (8)
  • Bob Ludwig – mastering at Gateway Mastering (Portland, Maine)
  • Campbell Hooper – album artwork
  • Paul McKessar – management
  • Campbell Smith – management

Charts

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Chart (2014) Peak
position
Australian Albums (ARIA)[5] 23
New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)[6] 6
US Billboard 200[7] 157

References

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  1. ^ "Brutal Romantic by Brooke Fraser on iTunes". iTunes. Retrieved 3 October 2014.
  2. ^ "Brutal Romantic on Brooke Fraser's official website". iTunes. Retrieved 3 October 2014.
  3. ^ "Brooke Fraser on iTunes". iTunes. Retrieved 3 October 2014.
  4. ^ "Deciphering Brooke". Stack.net.au. Archived from the original on 23 February 2015. Retrieved 9 December 2014.
  5. ^ "Australiancharts.com – Brooke Fraser – Brutal Romantic". Hung Medien. Retrieved 22 November 2014.
  6. ^ "Charts.nz – Brooke Fraser – Brutal Romantic". Hung Medien. Retrieved 24 November 2014.
  7. ^ "Brooke Fraser Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved 24 March 2019.