Bando Stone & the New World

Bando Stone & the New World
Glover, wearing a bright yellow shirt, short purple shorts and blue SPAM cap, crouches in the jungle holding a chicken and looking concerned.
Studio album / soundtrack album by
Childish Gambino
ReleasedJuly 19, 2024 (2024-07-19)
Genre
Length60:11
LabelRCA
Producer
Childish Gambino chronology
Atavista
(2024) 		Bando Stone & the New World
(2024)
Singles from Bando Stone & the New World
  1. "Lithonia"
    Released: July 2, 2024
  2. "In the Night"
    Released: July 16, 2024

Bando Stone and the New World is the fifth studio album by American rapper Childish Gambino. Released on July 19, 2024, through RCA Records, it is also the soundtrack album to his upcoming film of the same name.[1]

The album was met with positive reviews from critics, who praised its eclectic production, mature songwriting and Glover's vocal performance, but were mixed on its lack of cohesiveness. At the 67th Annual Grammy Awards, Bando Stone & the New World was nominated for Best Progressive R&B Album.

Background

[edit]

In 2017, Donald Glover revealed he planned to retire the stage name Childish Gambino after his next project, telling the Governors Ball Music Festival attendees, "I'll see you for the last Gambino album".[2] In 2018, Glover won the Grammy Award for Best Traditional R&B Performance for his 2016 single "Redbone". At the Q&A following the ceremony, Glover reiterated his intention to retire the Gambino moniker and release a final project, saying "I think endings are good because they force things to get better".[3] Glover told attendees of the This is America Tour that the tour would be Childish Gambino's final tour.[4] In 2020, Glover unceremoniously released the studio album 3.15.20 in an unfinished state amid the COVID-19 pandemic and the loss of his father. It was unknown at the time if the release would be Glover's final Childish Gambino project.[5][6]

In 2023, Glover confirmed that Childish Gambino had not been retired yet, revealing that he was in the process of making new music.[7] During a livestream in May 2024 from Glover's production company Gilga, Glover announced that he would be releasing two albums in the same year. The first would be a finished version of 3.15.20, now titled Atavista; the second would be an all-new album titled Bando Stone and The New World, the soundtrack to a tentpole film from Gilga of the same name. Glover confirmed the latter release would act as the final album under the moniker of Childish Gambino.[8][9]

Atavista officially released on May 13, 2024, with Glover confirming the release for the all-new Childish Gambino in the summer of the same year.[10] A world tour, called "The New World Tour", was announced by Glover the same week.[11]

Concept and writing

[edit]

The project features Glover taking on the role of Bando Stone, a singer stumbling into a post-apocalyptic world before teaming up with a woman and her son to fight prehistoric creatures and try to escape from an unexplained phenomenon that seems to delete "chunks" of the world.[12][13] Glover began work on both the album and the film after completing the final season of his television series Atlanta in 2022. The concept of the film stemmed from Glover trying to find a purpose for his work, with the film revolving around a musician trying to survive a global calamity.[14]

Glover called the album a "big goodbye album" and stated he wanted to force the audience to participate and to use their imagination.[15] He said he focused on making anthemic songs, allowing for a sense of togetherness when played in large rooms. He also focused on not shying away from wholesomeness and joy on the record, saying "No one on their deathbed is going to look back and say, 'Thank God I avoided being cringe.'"[14]

Composition

[edit]

Bando Stone & the New World encompasses many genres. AllMusic's Tim Sendra likens it as an amalgamation of almost all of the musical phases of Glover's career.[16] Primarily an alternative R&B, pop and hip hop record,[17] Bando Stone & the New World dips into trap, contemporary R&B, indie pop, hyperpop, and rock stylings.[16] Notes of Afrobeats, electronic and jazz are also present on the album.[18]

Promotion and release

[edit]

The film, touted as an IMAX exclusive event, had its first trailer premiere in IMAX with showings of A Quiet Place: Day One, releasing on YouTube on July 1, 2024.[19]

The album's lead single, "Lithonia", was released on July 2, 2024, with the album being dated for release on July 19.[20] It is a guitar-driven rock song named after the city of Lithonia in Georgia.[21] Abby Jones of Stereogum described the song as "dramatic" and "rock-heavy".[22] On July 22, Glover released the official music video for "Lithonia", featuring appearances from Alex Wolff, Ludwig Göransson, and Suzanna Son.[23][24]

The same week Glover held a listening party event in Little Island, New York where he played and performed songs from the album ahead of release. Glover confirmed features with Chloe Bailey, Steve Lacy, Flo Milli, Fousheé, Jorja Smith, Yeat, Amaarae and Glover's son.[25][26]

The album's second single, "In the Night" featuring Jorja Smith and Amaarae, was released on July 16, 2024.[27]

Critical reception

[edit]
Bando Stone & the New World ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
AnyDecentMusic?6.9/10[28]
Metacritic72/100[29]
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[16]
Clash9/10[30]
Exclaim!6/10[31]
The Independent[18]
NME[32]
Pitchfork5.8/10[33]
Rolling Stone[34]

Bando Stone & the New World was met with positive reviews from music critics. On Metacritic, which assigns a normalized score out of 100 to ratings from professional publications, the album received a weighted mean score of 72, based on eight reviews, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[29] The review aggregator site AnyDecentMusic? compiled seven reviews and gave the album an average of 6.9 out of 10.[28]

Variety's Jem Aswad declared the album as not only Glover's "best and most far-reaching musical project to date," but easily one of the top albums of 2024.[17] Robin Murray of Clash called Bando Stone & the New World an "exceptional" work of "maturity and vision, out-pacing [Glover's] peers to deliver something vital, and true to himself."[30] The Independent's Louis Chilton believes the "overgrown opus" does little to dispel Glover's reputation as a "self-serious artiste", but its maximalist aesthetic and sublime production lives up to the hype.[18]

Much of the criticism Bando Stone & the New World received was aimed at its continuity. NME's Kyann-Sian Williams felt the album's lack of a "clear sense" of cohesion or theme made it a "bittersweet" farewell to Childish Gambino.[32] Alphonse Pierre of Pitchfork agreed, writing the "strained" and "familiar" record takes algorithmic swings rather than experimental.[33] Christopher R. Weingarten, in his review for Rolling Stone, argued that some of Glover's ideas would have been better served if he had hired Weezer or Pusha T to deliver them.[34]

Accolades

[edit]
List of awards and nominations received by SOS
Year Award Category Result Ref.
2025 Grammy Awards Best Progressive R&B Album Pending [35]

Track listing

[edit]
Bando Stone & the New World track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Hearts Were Meant to Fly"
3:07
2."Lithonia"
  • D. Glover
  • Göransson
  • Martin
  • Uzowuru
2:58
3."Survive" (featuring Chlöe)
4:07
4."Steps Beach"
  • D. Glover
  • Lacy
3:48
5."Talk My Shit" (featuring Amaarae and Flo Milli)
D. Glover3:45
6."Got to Be"
2:56
7."Real Love"
  • D. Glover
  • Jordan Brown
  • Juan Contreras
  • Dylan Wiggins
  • Uzowuru
  • Wiggins
  • Uzowuru
2:17
8."In the Night" (featuring Jorja Smith and Amaarae)
  • D. Glover
  • Jayla Darden
  • Genfi
  • Chukwudi Hodge
  • McKenzie
  • Natche
  • Ely Rise
  • Tierra Whack
  • D. Glover
  • McKenzie
  • Dahi
3:49
9."Yoshinoya"
  • D. Glover
  • Scott M. Carter
  • Vanessa D. Wood
  • D. Glover
  • Triangle Park
3:22
10."Can You Feel Me" (featuring Legend)
  • D. Glover
  • Uzowuru
2:58
11."No Excuses" (featuring Ludwig Göransson)
  • D. Glover
  • Göransson
  • Orinda
  • Uzowuru
  • D. Glover
  • Göransson
  • Uzowuru
7:23
12."Cruisin'" (featuring Yeat)
  • D. Glover
  • Göransson
  • Dahi
  • Caroline Whitaker
  • Uzowuru[a]
  • Johnson[a]
3:58
13."We Are God"
  • D. Glover
  • Natche
  • D. Glover
  • Dahi
4:23
14."Running Around" (featuring Fousheé)
  • D. Glover
  • Foushée
  • Johnson
  • Mackin
  • Uzowuru
  • D. Glover
  • Uzowuru
  • Johnson[a]
  • Mackin[a]
2:34
15."Dadvocate"
  • D. Glover
  • Wiggins
  • Uzowuru
  • D. Glover
  • Uzowuru
  • Wiggins
2:40
16."Happy Survival" (featuring Khruangbin)
  • Khruangbin
  • Eddie Okwedy
Khruangbin3:23
17."A Place Where Love Goes"
  • D. Glover
  • Göransson
  • Martin
  • Dahi
  • Holter
  • Mackin[v]
2:43
Total length:60:11

Notes

  • ^[c] signifies a co-producer
  • ^[a] signifies an additional producer
  • ^[v] signifies a vocal producer
  • "Hearts Were Meant to Fly" is stylized as "H3@RT$ W3RE M3@NT T0 F7¥"

Sample credits

Personnel

[edit]

Musicians

  • Donald Glover – lead vocals (all tracks), drums (tracks 1–4, 9, 11), synth bass (1), keyboards (3); percussion, synthesizer (10); strings (12)
  • Ludwig Göransson – guitar, keyboards (track 1); electric guitar (6), tambourine (7), synthesizer (10); drums, synth bass (12)
  • Jessica Allain Legend – vocals (track 1)
  • Riley Mackin – programming (track 2), vocal effects (11), guitar (14)
  • Ely Rise – keyboards (tracks 3, 4, 6, 8, 12)
  • Kamasi Washington – saxophone (tracks 3, 11)
  • Chloe Bailey – vocals (track 3)
  • Brittany Fousheé – background vocals (track 4)
  • Chelsea West – choir (tracks 5, 6, 9, 17)
  • Denise Stoudmire – choir (tracks 5, 6, 9, 17)
  • Taylor Milton – choir (5, 6, 9, 17)
  • Claudia Cunningham – choir (tracks 5, 6, 9, 17)
  • Bri Jolie – choir (tracks 5, 6, 9)
  • Elizabeth Sis Komba – choir (tracks 5, 6, 9)
  • Taneka Samone – choir (tracks 5, 6, 9)
  • Tickwanya Jones – choir (tracks 5, 6, 9)
  • Vanessa Wood – choir (tracks 5, 6, 9)
  • Malik Flint – percussion (tracks 6, 11); keyboards, synth bass (11)
  • Michael Uzowuru – drums (tracks 6, 15), guitar (6)
  • Dylan Wiggins – drums, guitar (track 6); acoustic guitar, bass (15)
  • Steve Lacy – background vocals (track 7)
  • Elijah Fox – organ (track 7)
  • Omer Fedi – organ (track 7)
  • Kurtis McKenzie – synth bass (track 8), drums (9)
  • Jayla Darden – background vocals (track 8)
  • Chukwudi Hodge – drums (track 8)
  • Syd – background vocals (track 11)
  • Dani Markham – background vocals, drums, percussion (track 11)
  • Lynette – keyboards, organ, percussion (track 11)
  • Thomas Drayton – bass, percussion (track 11)
  • Dahi – drum machine, synth bass (track 12); drums (13, 17)
  • Willow Smith – background vocals (track 14)
  • Aaron Steele – drums (track 14)
  • Tyler Johnson – guitar (track 14)
  • Emi Trevena – guitar (track 14)
  • Legend – vocals (track 16)
  • Amaarae – lead vocals (track 5, 8), background vocals (track 17)
  • Savannah – background vocals (track 17)
  • Oweleo Titi – choir (track 17)
  • Jamal M. Moore – choir (track 17)
  • Lemmo Moser – choir (track 17)
  • Isaiah Johnson – choir (track 17)
  • Emi Secrest – choir (track 17)
  • Orlando Dixon – choir (track 17)
  • Revel Day – choir (track 17)
  • Chelsea Miller – choir (track 17)
  • Aja Marie – choir (track 17)
  • Sharon Bennett – choir (track 17)
  • Steve Epting – choir (track 17)
  • Taneka Simone – choir (track 17)
  • Susan Caro – choir (track 17)
  • Roman Collins – choir (track 17)

Technical

  • Colin Leonard – mastering
  • Mike Bozzi – mastering (track 2)
  • Stuart White – mixing
  • Brittney Orinda – engineering (tracks 1–5, 7–12, 14, 17)
  • Riley Mackin – engineering (tracks 1–4, 6–9, 11–15, 17)
  • Khruangbin – engineering (track 16)
  • Matheus Braz – engineering assistance
  • Patrick Gardner – engineering assistance (tracks 1–8, 10–15)
  • Conner McFarland – engineering assistance (tracks 1–3, 6–8, 11–15)
  • John Sher – engineering assistance (tracks 1, 5, 12)
  • Jonathan Lopez Garcia – engineering assistance (tracks 2, 6, 8, 10, 17)
  • Terena Dawn – engineering assistance (tracks 2, 17)
  • John Armstrong – engineering assistance (tracks 6, 11, 12)
  • Ciaran De Chaud – engineering assistance (track 6)
  • Terena Dawn – engineering assistance (tracks 7, 10)
  • Caroline Whitaker – engineering assistance (track 7)
  • Eric Eylands – engineering assistance (tracks 11, 12)
  • Nathalie Martinez – engineering assistance (track 17)
  • Vilma Colling – engineering assistance (track 17)
  • Linn Fijal – engineering assistance (track 17)
  • Max Martin – arrangement (track 2)
  • Michael Uzowuru – arrangement (track 2)

Charts

[edit]
Chart performance for Bando Stone & the New World
Chart (2024) Peak
position
Australian Albums (ARIA)[36] 30
Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria)[37] 51
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)[38] 41
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia)[39] 145
Canadian Albums (Billboard)[40] 17
Danish Albums (Hitlisten)[41] 39
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)[42] 30
French Albums (SNEP)[43] 85
Icelandic Albums (Tónlistinn)[44] 21
Irish Albums (OCC)[45] 29
Lithuanian Albums (AGATA)[46] 37
New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)[47] 18
Norwegian Albums (VG-lista)[48] 17
Portuguese Albums (AFP)[49] 36
UK Albums (OCC)[50] 33
UK R&B Albums (OCC)[51] 24
US Billboard 200[52] 16
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)[53] 2

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Palmer, Elle (July 1, 2024). "Donald Glover shares trailer for directorial debut". Far Out. Retrieved July 1, 2024.
  2. ^ Butler, Will (June 4, 2017). "Donald Glover reveals that next Childish Gambino project will be his final album". NME. Retrieved March 23, 2020.
  3. ^ Yoo, Noah (January 29, 2018). "Donald Glover Is Still Retiring Childish Gambino". Pitchfork. Retrieved July 10, 2024.
  4. ^ Cowen, Trace William (September 7, 2018). "Donald Glover: 'This Is the Last Gambino Tour Ever'". Complex. Retrieved July 10, 2024.
  5. ^ Skelton, Eric (October 2, 2023). "Donald Glover Opens Up About His New Career Chapter, Cows, and Artificial Intelligence". Complex. Retrieved July 10, 2024.
  6. ^ Strauss, Matthew (March 15, 2020). "Donald Glover's New Childish Gambino Album Surfaces, Gets Removed". Pitchfork. Retrieved July 10, 2024.
  7. ^ Muk, Isaac (January 13, 2023). "Donald Glover reveals he has not retired Childish Gambino". Mixmag. Retrieved July 10, 2024.
  8. ^ Horowitz, Steven J. (April 15, 2024). "Donald Glover Announces Final Childish Gambino Album, Will Soundtrack His Film 'Bando Storm and the New World'". Variety. Retrieved May 13, 2024.
  9. ^ Fu, Eddie (April 15, 2024). "Childish Gambino Announces Final Two Albums, Teases New Music". Consequence. Retrieved May 13, 2024.
  10. ^ Corcoran, Nina (May 13, 2024). "Childish Gambino Re-Releases 3.15.20 as New Album Atavista". Pitchfork. Retrieved July 10, 2024.
  11. ^ Saad, Nardine (May 13, 2024). "Childish Gambino drops 'Atavista,' the 'finished version' of '3.15.20,' and announces tour". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved July 10, 2024.
  12. ^ Glover, Donald (July 1, 2024). "Childish Gambino - Bando Stone & The New World (Official Trailer)" (video). youtube.com. Donald Glover.
  13. ^ Horowitz, Steven J. (July 1, 2024). "Childish Gambino Debuts Trailer for Upcoming Film 'Bando Stone & The New World'". Variety. Retrieved July 10, 2024.
  14. ^ a b Ugwu, Reggie (July 17, 2024). "Why Donald Glover Is Saying Goodbye to Childish Gambino". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved July 18, 2024.
  15. ^ Mier, Tomás (July 19, 2024). "Childish Gambino's Final Album 'Bando Stone and the New World' Is Here". Rolling Stone. Retrieved July 19, 2024.
  16. ^ a b c Sendra, Tim. "Bando Stone & The New World - Childish Gambino". AllMusic. RhythmOne. Retrieved July 19, 2024.
  17. ^ a b Aswad, Jem (July 19, 2024). "Donald Glover Closes the Book on Childish Gambino With the Masterful Bando Stone and the New World: Album Review". Variety. Retrieved July 20, 2024.
  18. ^ a b c Chilton, Louis (July 19, 2024). "Childish Gambino review, Bando Stone & the New World: Donald Glover's alter-ego delivers an overgrown opus". The Independent. Retrieved July 19, 2024.
  19. ^ Corcoran, Nina (July 1, 2024). "Donald Glover Unveils Trailer for New Movie Bando Stone & the New World". Pitchfork. Retrieved July 10, 2024.
  20. ^ Saponara, Michael (June 27, 2024). "Childish Gambino Reveals 'Lithonia' Single Release Date Following Alleged Date Leak". Billboard. Retrieved July 1, 2024.
  21. ^ Horowitz, Steven J. (July 2, 2024). "Childish Gambino Announces Release Date for Final Album 'Bando Stone & The New World,' Releases First Single 'Lithonia'". Variety. Retrieved July 2, 2024.
  22. ^ Jones, Abby (July 2, 2024). "Childish Gambino – "Lithonia"". Stereogum. Retrieved July 2, 2024.
  23. ^ Mier, Tomás (July 22, 2024). "Childish Gambino's 'Lithonia' Video Ends With a Gory Twist". Rolling Stone. Retrieved July 25, 2024.
  24. ^ Monroe, Jazz (July 22, 2024). "Watch Childish Gambino's Intense New "Lithonia" Video". Pitchfork. Retrieved July 25, 2024.
  25. ^ Saponara, Michael (July 7, 2024). "Inside Childish Gambino's Close Friends Bando Stone NYC Listening Experience". Billboard. Retrieved July 10, 2024.
  26. ^ Moreau, Jordan (July 8, 2024). "Donald Glover Hosts Intimate Listening Party for Final Childish Gambino Album Bando Stone, Featuring His 7-Year-Old Son, Flo Milli and More". Variety. Retrieved July 10, 2024.
  27. ^ Dunworth, Liberty (July 16, 2024). "Childish Gambino shares new single 'In The Night' feat. Jorja Smith and Amaarae". NME. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
  28. ^ a b "Bando Stone & the New World by Childish Gambino". AnyDecentMusic?. Retrieved July 24, 2024.
  29. ^ a b "Critic reviews for Bando Stone & the New World". Metacritic. Retrieved July 20, 2024.
  30. ^ a b Murray, Robin (July 19, 2024). "Childish Gambino – Bando Stone And The New World". Clash. Retrieved July 19, 2024.
  31. ^ McLean, Wesley (July 24, 2024). "Childish Gambino's Bando Stone & the New World Is a Frantic Goodbye". Exclaim!. Retrieved July 24, 2024.
  32. ^ a b Williams, Kyann-Sian (July 22, 2024). "Childish Gambino – Bando Stone And The New World review: a bittersweet send-off to a musical innovator". NME. Retrieved July 22, 2024.
  33. ^ a b Pierre, Alphonse (July 23, 2024). "Childish Gambino: Bando Stone & the New World". Pitchfork. Retrieved July 23, 2024.
  34. ^ a b Weingarten, Christopher R. (July 22, 2024). "Childish Gambino Just Wants to Be Donald Glover on Bando Stone & the New World". Rolling Stone. Retrieved July 23, 2024.
  35. ^ Willman, Chris (November 8, 2024). "Grammy Nominations 2025: Beyonce Leads With 11 Nods as Taylor Swift, Chappell Roan, Sabrina Carpenter and Charli XCX Are Among Top Nominees". Variety. Retrieved November 8, 2024.
  36. ^ "ARIA Top 50 Albums Chart". Australian Recording Industry Association. July 29, 2024. Retrieved July 26, 2024.
  37. ^ "Austriancharts.at – Childish Gambino – Bando Stone and the New World" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved July 31, 2024.
  38. ^ "Ultratop.be – Childish Gambino – Bando Stone and the New World" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved July 28, 2024.
  39. ^ "Ultratop.be – Childish Gambino – Bando Stone and the New World" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved July 28, 2024.
  40. ^ "Childish Gambino Chart History (Canadian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved July 30, 2024.
  41. ^ "Hitlisten.NU – Album Top-40 Uge 30, 2024". Hitlisten. Retrieved July 31, 2024.
  42. ^ "Dutchcharts.nl – Childish Gambino – Bando Stone and the New World" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved July 27, 2024.
  43. ^ "Top Albums (Week 30, 2024)". Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved July 30, 2024.
  44. ^ "Tónlistinn – Plötur – Vika 30 – 2024" [The Music – Albums – Week 30 – 2024] (in Icelandic). Plötutíðindi. Archived from the original on July 30, 2024. Retrieved July 30, 2024.
  45. ^ "Official Irish Albums Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 26, 2024.
  46. ^ "2024 30-os savaitės klausomiausi (Top 100)" (in Lithuanian). AGATA. July 26, 2024. Retrieved July 26, 2024.
  47. ^ "NZ Top 40 Albums Chart". Recorded Music NZ. July 29, 2024. Retrieved July 26, 2024.
  48. ^ "Album 2024 uke 30". VG-lista. Retrieved July 27, 2024.
  49. ^ "Portuguesecharts.com – Childish Gambino – Bando Stone and the New World". Hung Medien. Retrieved August 20, 2024.
  50. ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 26, 2024.
  51. ^ "Official R&B Albums Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 27, 2024.
  52. ^ "Childish Gambino Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved July 30, 2024.
  53. ^ "Childish Gambino Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved July 30, 2024.
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