With a Hammer is the debut studio album by American musician Yaeji. It was released on April 7, 2023, through XL Recordings.

With a Hammer
Studio album by
ReleasedApril 7, 2023 (2023-04-07)
Length43:39
Language
  • English
  • Korean
LabelXL
Producer
Yaeji chronology
What We Drew 우리가 그려왔던
(2020)
With a Hammer
(2023)
Singles from With a Hammer
  1. "For Granted"
    Released: January 17, 2023
  2. "Done (Let's Get It)"
    Released: February 23, 2023
  3. "Passed Me By"
    Released: April 4, 2023

Reception

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Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
AnyDecentMusic?8.0/10[1]
Metacritic86/100[2]
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic     [3]
Clash8/10[4]
DIY     [5]
Exclaim!8/10[6]
The Line of Best Fit8/10[7]
NME     [8]
The Observer     [9]
Pitchfork8.5/10[10]
The Skinny     [11]
Slant     [12]

With a Hammer received a score of 86 out of 100 on review aggregator Metacritic based on 13 critics' reviews, indicating "universal acclaim".[2] Pitchfork gave the album their "Best New Music" distinction, with Julianna Escobedo Shepherd describing it as "an airy blend of synth-pop, jazz, techno, and ambient. It's a generous, understated exploration of rage as a source of creative renewal".[10]

Track listing

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All lyrics are written by Kathy Yaeji Lee; "1 Thing to Smash" lyrics co-written by Loraine James

With a Hammer track listing
No.TitleMusicLength
1."Submerge FM"
  • Chris Botta
  • Gabrielle Gabro
3:25
2."For Granted"Lee2:41
3."Fever"Lee4:08
4."Passed Me By"Lee4:03
5."With a Hammer"
  • Lee
  • Botta
3:45
6."I'll Remember for Me, I'll Remember for You"Lee2:02
7."Done (Let's Get It)"Lee2:52
8."Ready or Not" (with K Wata)
  • Lee
  • Kenzo Perron
4:31
9."Michin" (with Enayet)
  • Lee
  • Enayet Kabir
3:33
10."Away x5"Lee2:33
11."Happy" (with Nourished by Time)
  • Lee
  • Marcus Elliot Brown
3:59
12."1 Thing to Smash" (with Loraine James)
  • Lee
  • Loraine James
3:15
13."Be Alone in This"
  • Lee
  • Botta
  • Kabir
2:45
Total length:43:39

Personnel

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  • Yaeji – vocals, production, engineering (all tracks), programming (1–3, 5–8, 10, 13), creative direction, cover art, design, illustrations
  • Joe LaPortamastering
  • Chris Botta – mixing, engineering (all tracks), arrangement (13)
  • K Wata – production, engineering, programming, arrangement (8)
  • Enayet – engineering (9, 13); production, arrangement (9)
  • Loraine James – production, programming, arrangement (12)

Charts

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Chart performance for With a Hammer
Chart (2023) Peak
position
US World Albums (Billboard)[13] 13

References

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  1. ^ "With a Hammer by Yaeji (reviews)". AnyDecentMusic?. Retrieved April 19, 2023.
  2. ^ a b "With a Hammer by Yaeji Reviews and Tracks". Metacritic. Retrieved September 24, 2023.
  3. ^ Simpson, Paul. Review of With a Hammer at AllMusic. Retrieved April 19, 2023.
  4. ^ Mellen, James (April 4, 2023). "Yaeji – With a Hammer". Clash. Retrieved April 19, 2023.
  5. ^ Robinson, Otis (April 7, 2023). "Yaeji – With a Hammer". DIY. Retrieved April 19, 2023.
  6. ^ Ciubotaru, Noah (April 6, 2023). "Yaeji – With a Hammer". Exclaim!. Retrieved April 19, 2023.
  7. ^ Burr, Elliot (April 5, 2023). "Yaeji's long awaited debut With a Hammer sees an artist's love for their music shine through". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved April 19, 2023.
  8. ^ Hunt, El (April 4, 2023). "Yaeji – With a Hammer review: taking a mallet to her rage". NME. Retrieved April 19, 2023.
  9. ^ Empire, Kitty (April 9, 2023). "Yaeji: With a Hammer review – pop-facing rage and candour". The Observer. Retrieved April 19, 2023.
  10. ^ a b Escobedo Shepherd, Julianne (April 10, 2023). "Yaeji: With a Hammer Album Review". Pitchfork. Retrieved September 24, 2023.
  11. ^ Inglis, Tony (April 6, 2023). "Yaeji – With a Hammer". The Skinny. Retrieved April 19, 2023.
  12. ^ Rickun, Jackson (April 4, 2023). "Yaeji With a Hammer Review: A Balancing Act of Creation and Deconstruction". Slant. Retrieved April 19, 2023.
  13. ^ "World Albums: Week of April 22, 2023". Billboard. Retrieved April 19, 2023.