Rated R (Red album)

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.

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" The album also features songwriting credit from Kieth 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. During the announcement of the live album's release, the band also announced that they will release a new album sometime in spring 2023. 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.

On January 24, 2023, they revealed the name of the new album on their Facebook page. In February 2023, the band released a snippet that shows a string recording session for the album. On June 16, the band 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. The band also announced they embark on the "Rated R Tour", which starts in September and carries on until 2024. On August 4, the band released the single. On September 1, the band unveiled two singles "Cold World" and "Minus It All". On January 9, 2024, an official lyric video for "Cold World" was released on their YouTube Channel.

Critical reception
Rated R received generally mixed-to-positive reviews from fans and critics, who praised the production, concept and musicianship, however criticism was aimed towards the short runtime and lacking a ballad. The songwriting and musical style 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." 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."

Personnel
Red
 * Michael Barnes – lead vocals
 * Anthony Armstrong – guitars, backing vocals, additional vocals (2), programming, production
 * Randy Armstrong – bass, backing vocals, piano, executive production
 * Brian Medeiros – drums

Additional musicians
 * Teirney Armstrong – additional vocals (5)
 * Elizabeth Lamb – viola
 * Monica Angelo – viola
 * Carole Rabinowitz – cello
 * Paul Nelson – cello
 * David Angell – violin
 * Karen Winkelmann – violin
 * Janet Darnall – violin
 * Ali Hoffman – violin

Additional personnel
 * Joe Rickard – mixing, additional programming
 * Ted Jensen – mastering
 * David Davidson – string arrangement, orchestration
 * Clayton Blue – drum engineering
 * Randy Beasterfield – drum engineering (1)
 * Taylor Pollert – string engineering
 * Mike Plotnikoff – guitar engineering
 * Paul DeCarli - digital editing
 * Jay Wud – additional programming
 * Lucio Rubino – additional programming, co-production (5)
 * Courtney Dellafiora – artwork, design, photography