Only for Dolphins

Only For Dolphins
Studio album by
Action Bronson
ReleasedSeptember 25, 2020 (2020-09-25)
GenreAlternative hip hop
Length38:17
Label
Producer
Action Bronson chronology
Lamb Over Rice
(2019) 		Only For Dolphins
(2020) 		Cocodrillo Turbo
(2022)
Singles from Only for Dolphins
  1. "Latin Grammys"
    Released: July 30, 2020
  2. "Golden Eye"
    Released: September 9, 2020
  3. "Mongolia"
    Released: September 16, 2020

Only for Dolphins is the fifth studio album by American rapper Action Bronson. It was released on September 25, 2020, through Loma Vista Recordings and Concord Records. Production was handled by multiple producers, including Bronson himself, The Alchemist, DJ Muggs, Harry Fraud and Daringer. The cover and interior art were hand-painted by Bronson. The album's title is a reference to a lyric from the song "Mt. Etna" from his previous album, White Bronco, where Bronson raps, "my next album's only for dolphins".[1]

Release and promotion

The lead single of the album, "Latin Grammys", was released on July 30, 2020, alongside a music video that features Action Bronson's face superimposed over bodybuilder Magnús Ver Magnússon's in various scenes of the 1995 World's Strongest Man competition.[2] Various media outlets also compared the video's imagery to Bronson's publicized weight loss at the time.[3][2] "Golden Eye" was released on September 9, with a music video for the single releasing later alongside the album.[4][5] The third and final single, "Mongolia" was released on September 16.[6]

The album's release coincided with an array of merchandise and collaborations. On the day of the album's release, Bronson's online store offered stuffed dolphins and beach towels alongside physical copies of the album.[5][7][8] Morgenstern's Finest Ice Cream (who Bronson had previously collaborated with for his series Fuck, That's Delicious) released several Only For Dolphins themed frozen desserts in promotion of the album.[9] On October 13, olive oil marketplace Grove and Vine released an Only For Dolphins themed olive oil.[10][11] Action Bronson has also announced that he was personally bottling and releasing a fragrance named "Splash", based on the album's track of the same name.[12]

Reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Pitchfork6.7/10[13]

Dean Van Nguyen of Pitchfork rated the album 6.7 out of 10, saying: "If nothing else, the album is a triumph of Bronson's omnivorous musical taste, starting with the self-produced opener 'Capoeira'—one of the best instrumentals he has ever spit over".[13]

Track listing

Credits adapted from liner notes and Tidal.[14][15]

No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Capoeira" (featuring Yung Mehico)
Action Bronson3:20
2."C12H16N2"
Harry Fraud2:38
3."Latin Grammys"
  • Arslani
  • Marilyn Kane
  • Robert Bianco
  • Tommy Kotler
Tommy Mas2:49
4."Golden Eye"
  • Arslani
  • Ben Scholefield
  • Kevin Kendricks
  • Leon Leiffer
Budgie2:47
5."Mongolia" (featuring Hologram and Meyhem Lauren)
  • Arslani
  • James Rencher
  • Jason Rencher
  • Yimaz Kayral
Action Bronson2:52
6."Vega"
2:45
7."Splash"
Samiyam1:59
8."Sergio"
The Alchemist3:09
9."Shredder"
Daringer2:00
10."Cliff Hanger"
Budgie2:20
11."Marcus Aurelius"
Daringer4:04
12."Hard Target"
  • Arslani
  • Carrillo
  • Quigley
  • Harry Fraud
  • Yung Mehico
5:03
Total length:35:52

Chart

Chart (2020) Peak
position
Top Album Sales (Billboard)[16] 53

References

  1. ^ "Stream Action Bronson's New Track "Mongolia" f/ Meyhem Lauren and Hologram". Complex. Retrieved 2021-01-12.
  2. ^ a b "Action Bronson Is a Professional Bodybuilder in New "Latin Grammys" Music Video". HYPEBEAST. Retrieved 2021-01-12.
  3. ^ Powell, Jon (2020-07-30). "Action Bronson returns with hilarious video for "Latin Grammys"". REVOLT. Retrieved 2021-01-12.
  4. ^ "Listen to Action Bronson's 'Golden Eye' from upcoming album 'Only For Dolphins'". NME | Music, Film, TV, Gaming & Pop Culture News. 2020-09-09. Retrieved 2021-01-12.
  5. ^ a b "Stream Action Bronson's New Album 'Only for Dolphins'". Complex. Retrieved 2021-01-12.
  6. ^ "Action Bronson reveals funky new single "Mongolia": Stream". Consequence of Sound. 2020-09-16. Retrieved 2021-01-12.
  7. ^ "ACTION BRONSON | ONLY FOR DOLPHINS | Action Bronson - Only for Dolphins Plush Toy". Action Bronson. Retrieved 2021-01-12.
  8. ^ "ACTION BRONSON | ONLY FOR DOLPHINS | Action Bronson - Only for Dolphins Beach Towel". Action Bronson. Retrieved 2021-01-12.
  9. ^ "Morgenstern's Finest Ice Cream and Action Bronson Reunite For 'Only for Dolphins' Release". HYPEBEAST. Retrieved 2021-01-12.
  10. ^ Squad, SOHH. "Action Bronson Launches Limited Edition Olive Oil". SOHH.com. Retrieved 2021-01-12.
  11. ^ "Action Bronson Collaboration with Grove and Vine Limited Edition Olive Oil". Grove and Vine. Retrieved 2021-01-12.
  12. ^ Sayles, Justin (2020-09-25). "How Action Bronson Lost 100 Pounds but Kept His Appetite for Life". The Ringer. Retrieved 2021-01-12.
  13. ^ a b Van Nguyen, Dean (September 30, 2020). "Action Bronson: Only for Dolphins". Pitchfork. Retrieved April 13, 2024.
  14. ^ Only For Dolphins (Media notes). Action Bronson. Loma Vista Recordings. 2020.
  15. ^ "Only For Dolphins / Action Bronson". listen.tidal.com. Retrieved 2021-01-12.
  16. ^ "Action Bronson – Top Album Sales (Billboard)". Billboard.