Performer Notes

Recording information: A1 Westlake Recording Studio, Los Angeles, CA; Conway Recording Studio, Los Angeles, CA; Rodeo Recording, Santa Monica, CA; Spaceship, Los Angeles, CA; Werewolf Heart Studios, Los Angeles, CA.
Photographer: Thomas Whiteside.
Ex-lovers, take cover: Banks' sophomore outing The Altar is ready for a sacrifice to the goddesses. With the fire of a thousand scorned lovers, Banks goes all in with her lyrical attack. Whether destroying an ex or empowering herself, Banks has strengthened her voice -- resolutely and with increased production value -- in the two years since her debut Goddess. The Altar is slightly less sleepy than its predecessor, including a handful of exciting hip-hop moments that pop and rumble ("Trainwreck" and "This Is Not About Us" are two standouts). Adding to the Fiona Apple-meets-Massive Attack vibe of past work, Banks also incorporates some of Bjrk's experimental spirit this time around, suffusing dramatic tracks with sweeping Homogenic orchestration ("Weaker Girl" and "Mother Earth") or spare Biophilia/Vespertine cool ("Fuck with Myself" and "Lovesick"). Throughout, she bleeds into each song. At times scathing and aggressive, tracks like "Gemini Feed," "Trainwreck," and "Weaker Girl" snarl with edge and attitude (sharp production by Sohn, Tim Anderson, and DJ Dahi add to the might). When she shifts the gears of pain inward, she lays herself bare with unflinching honesty and vulnerability, like on "Lovesick" and "Mind Games." As on the cover art -- where Banks is seen without makeup and her hair tied up and unkempt -- her protective barriers are down and her insides are visible to anyone willing to look (or listen). Although the latter third of The Altar is mostly a hypnotic comedown -- think Broods, Vaults, or the Weeknd's Trilogy -- Banks packs enough energy and zeal at the starting line to duly lay waste to whoever was foolish enough to break her heart. ~ Neil Z. Yeung

Professional Reviews

Rolling Stone - 3 stars out of 5 -- "The pinging 'Trainwreck' combines rapid-fire lyrics about escaping a bad-news boyfriend, with hand claps, as if she's at the center of a supportive drum-machine circle, and the emancipation-minded 'This Is Not About Us' recalls wistful Latin freestyle."

Clash (Magazine) - "[This is] BANKS at her best. THE ALTAR starts of with the vocalist displaying her full arsenal, and you wouldn't be remiss in thinking it could supersede her debut."

Album: The Altar
#	Song Title		Time
1)	Gemini Feed	More Info...
2)	Fuck With Myself	More Info...
3)	Love Sick	More Info...
4)	Mind Games	More Info...
5)	Trainwreck	More Info...
6)	This Is Not About Us	More Info...
7)	Weaker Girl	More Info...
8)	Mother Earth	More Info...
9)	Judas	More Info...
10)	Haunt	More Info...
11)	Poltergeist	More Info...
12)	To the Hilt	More Info...
13)	27 Hours	More Info...

Album: The Altar
#	Song Title		Time
1)	Gemini Feed	More Info...
2)	Fuck With Myself	More Info...
3)	Love Sick	More Info...
4)	Mind Games	More Info...
5)	Trainwreck	More Info...
6)	This Is Not About Us	More Info...
7)	Weaker Girl	More Info...
8)	Mother Earth	More Info...
9)	Judas	More Info...
10)	Haunt	More Info...
11)	Poltergeist	More Info...
12)	To the Hilt	More Info...
13)	27 Hours	More Info...