Material (Blaqk Audio album)

Material is the third studio album by American electronica band Blaqk Audio, consisting of Davey Havok and Jade Puget of AFI. it was released on April 15, 2016 under Blaqknoise/Kobalt Records. The first single from the album, "Anointed", was released on January 26 for streaming through SoundCloud and through digital retailers on February 19.

Background
Material for the album was written throughout 2014 and was recorded in 2015. Material was originally planned for a release in 2015. Havok has said that the album is lyrically "darker than our records of the past." Music sequencer Ableton Live was used in production of the album.

Critical reception
The album received generally positive reviews from mainstream critics. Neil Yeung, from AllMusic, gave a positive review: "Since their debut in 2007, Blaqk Audio – the electronic outlet for AFI's Davey Havok and Jade Puget – have toyed with the dance sounds and dark tones of new wave". Tomas Doyle, from Rock Sound, also gave a positive review, stating that "the skill and ease of songwriting the duo bring to the table is a delight".

Writing for Rolling Stone, Sally McMullen gave the album a mixed-to-positive review, saying,"The record embodies a seamless fluidity as energetic electro masks some of the more forlorn lyrics on the likes of 'I'm a Mess' and 'You Will Hate Me'. There's a hint of familiarity as Havok's clean vocals soar on 'First to Love' and the title track, but the absence of his signature scratchy growl can be unnerving."

Personnel

 * Davey Havok – lead vocals, primary lyricist, production
 * Jade Puget – keyboards, synthesizer, programming, backing vocals, primary composer, production