Rated R is the eighth studio album by American Christian rock band Red. It was released on September 29, 2023 through the band's independent label Red Entertainment in collaboration with The Fuel Music. The album was produced by Anthony Armstrong, the band's guitarist. It is the first studio album to feature the band's new drummer Brian Medeiros.[1][2][3]
Background
The album is produced by the band's guitarist, Anthony Armstrong, making it their first studio album to be entirely self-produced. Joe Rickard, who is the band's long-time friend and former drummer, did the mixing for the album, a role he also provided on their previous album, Declaration, as well as co-writing the lead single, "Surrogates".[4] The album also features songwriting credit from Keith Wallen, who also co-wrote "Sever", the band's second single from Declaration.
Release and promotion
The group's first live album, Until We Have Faces: Live and Unplugged, was released on December 2, 2022.[5] During the announcement of the live album's release, the band also announced that they will release a new album sometime in spring 2023.[6] The band went on both headlining tours and supporting tours with American bands Alter Bridge, Mammoth WVH and Pistols at Dawn for January and the majority of February.[7]
On January 24, 2023, they revealed the name of the new album on their Facebook page.[8] In February 2023, the band released a snippet that shows a string recording session for the album.[9] On June 16, they revealed the album would be released on September 29, 2023, while also stating that the lead single of the album titled "Surrogates" would be available for all streaming services on August 4.[4] The band also announced they embark on the "Rated R Tour", which started in September and will carry on until 2024.[4] On August 4, the band released the single.[10][11][12] On September 1, they unveiled two singles "Cold World" and "Minus It All".[13][14] On January 9, 2024, an official lyric video for "Cold World" was released on their YouTube Channel.[15]
Rated R received generally favorable reviews from fans and critics, who praised the production, concept and musicianship, however criticism was aimed towards the short runtime. The songwriting received a polarizing reception.
Jesus Freak Hideout said of the album, "Rated R is far less controversial than the title implies but fitting in the sense that it is a thoroughly Red album filled with hard-hitting guitar riffs, the unmistakable emotional vocals of Michael Barnes, and an abundance of strings. A step up from the already strong Declaration (but perhaps not quite as ambitious as Of Beauty and Rage), this is a satisfying and evocative entry for the RED catalog."[16] Tyler White for Sputnikmusic said, "While Rated R feels like a stronger return to form following Declaration and Gone, the band still feels like it's reaching for what they've lost from the past. The orchestral elements are back, the production has improved, and Red has brought back their darker side, it doesn't quite meet the same peaks as Innocence & Instinct or Of Beauty and Rage. Nevertheless, this is a step back in the right direction for the band as they bring back the elements and style they were once excelling at."[17]
Cryptic Rock also praised the album, concluding: "Overall, Red does not disappoint with Rated R and continues to show that they can still spark a fire in your soul. Much like a good deal of their previous work, Rated R is, as mentioned, highly cinematic. Playing like classic movements, the vocal performance of Barnes only amplifies everything to the next level… think of it all as a cry for humankind. However, it is not all meant to be doom and gloom, because the key objective is to be a cathartic release, and raise a warning to stop, look, and listen to what is happening around us. It is easy to fall into the traps of the modern world with the bombardment of media of all types, the divisive persuasions, and the false, twisted ideals. Thankfully bands like Red remind us the most important thing is, we are alive, we should always think for ourselves, but yet broadly conscience, and think about others."[22]
