Earthandsky

{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2025}} {{Infobox album | name = Earthandsky | type = studio | artist = Of Mice & Men | cover = OM&M_Earthandsky_cover.jpg | alt = | released = September 27, 2019 | recorded = 2018–2019 | studio = Hybrid Studios, Santa Ana, California<ref name="AllMusic"/> | genre = {{flatlist| * Metalcore<ref name="Rock 'N' Load"/> * melodic metalcore<ref name="WOS"/> * hard rock<ref name="AllMusic"/> * heavy metal<ref name="distortedsound"/> * melodic hardcore<ref name="AllMusic"/> }} | length = 43:40 | label = Rise | producer = Josh Wilbur | prev_title = Defy | prev_year = 2018 | next_title = Timeless | next_year = 2021 | misc = {{Singles | name = Earthandsky | type = studio | single1 = How to Survive | single1date = February 14, 2019 | single2 = Mushroom Cloud | single2date = May 3, 2019 | single3 = Earth & Sky | single3date = July 26, 2019 | single4 = Taste of Regret | single4date = September 5, 2019 }} {{Extra album cover | header = Digital cover | type = studio | cover = Of Mice & Men - Earthandsky.png | border = | alt = | caption = Artwork used on digital streaming and download services. }} }} '''''Earthandsky''''' (stylized in all caps; read as '''''Earth and Sky''''', sometimes referred as '''''Earth & Sky''''') is the sixth studio album by American rock band Of Mice & Men. It was released on September 27, 2019, through Rise Records.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/of-mice-earth-sky-video-available/|title=OF MICE & MEN To Release 'Earthandsky' Album In September; 'Earth & Sky' Video Available|publisher=Blabbermouth.net|accessdate=July 26, 2019|date=July 26, 2019}}</ref> The album was produced by Josh Wilbur and is the follow-up to the group's fifth album, ''Defy'' (2018). It is their last album to be released on this label before the band signed to SharpTone Records in 2021. It sold 4,000 copies in the US in its first week.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://lambgoat.com/news/32148/Of-Mice-and-Men-album-fails-to-chart-on-Billboard-200|title=Of Mice & Men album fails to chart on Billboard 200|date=October 8, 2019|publisher=Lambgoat|access-date=May 30, 2021}}</ref>

==Background and promotion== On October 10, 2018, Aaron Pauley announced that the band is working on a new album with producer Josh Wilbur. Pauley has also stated that the new record will be 'heavier' compared to ''Defy''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://loudwire.com/of-mice-and-men-heavier-new-album-lamb-of-god-producer/|title=Of Mice and Men Working on 'Heavier' New Album With Lamb of God Producer|publisher=Loudwire|accessdate=October 10, 2018}}</ref>

On February 14, 2019, the band released the first single of the album titled "How to Survive" which, as they stated, sounded much heavier than tracks from their previous album ''Defy.''<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://wallofsoundau.com/2019/02/15/of-mice-men-just-dropped-a-heavy-new-song-called-how-to-survive/|title=Of Mice & Men just dropped a HEAVY new song called 'How To Survive'|last=brownypaul|date=February 15, 2019|website=Wall Of Sound|language=en-US|access-date=February 15, 2019}}</ref>

On May 3, the band released the second single titled "Mushroom Cloud" and its corresponding music video.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.loudersound.com/news/of-mice-and-men-launch-video-for-explosive-new-track-mushroom-cloud|title=Of Mice & Men launch video for explosive new track Mushroom Cloud|last=Munro|first=Scott|date=May 3, 2019|website=Louder Sound|language=en-US|access-date=May 3, 2019}}</ref>

On July 26, the band released the third single and title track "Earth & Sky" along with a music video.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://wallofsoundau.com/2019/07/26/of-mice-men-announce-new-album-deliver-title-track-earth-sky/|title=Of Mice & Men Announce New Album + Deliver Title Track 'Earth & Sky'|date=July 26, 2019|website=Wall Of Sound|access-date=July 26, 2019}}</ref>

On September 5, the band released the fourth single of the album titled "Taste of Regret" along with an accompanying music video.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theprp.com/2019/09/05/news/of-mice-men-premiere-taste-of-regret-music-video/|title=Of Mice & Men Premiere "Taste Of Regret" Music Video|date=September 5, 2019|website=The PRP|access-date=September 5, 2019}}</ref>

==Critical reception== {{Music ratings | rev1 = AllMusic | rev1score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref name="AllMusic">{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/earth-sky-mw0003302163|title=Of Mice & Men Earthandsky|publisher=AllMusic|first=James |last=Monger|accessdate=September 27, 2019}}</ref> | rev2 = ''Alternative Press'' | rev2score = (favorable)<ref name="Alternative Press">{{cite web|url=https://www.altpress.com/features/of-mice-and-men-earthandsky-review/|title=Of Mice & Men celebrate 10 years with melodic Earthandsky - review|publisher=Alternative Press|first=Danie|last=Watson-Goetz|date=September 27, 2019|accessdate=September 30, 2019}}</ref> | rev3 = ''Dead Press!'' | rev3score = {{Rating|8|10}}<ref name="Dead Press">{{cite web|url=https://www.deadpress.co.uk/album-review-of-mice-and-men-earth-and-sky/|title=Album Review: Of Mice & Men – Earth And Sky|website=Dead Press!|first=Damon|last=Taylor|date=October 4, 2019|accessdate=October 4, 2019}}</ref> | rev4 = ''Distorted Sound'' | rev4score = 9/10<ref name="distortedsound">{{cite web|url=https://distortedsoundmag.com/album-review-earthandsky-of-mice-men/|title=Album Review: Earthandsky – Of Mice & Men|publisher=Distorted Sound Mag|first=Yasmine |last=Summan|date=September 26, 2019|accessdate=September 26, 2019}}</ref> | rev5 = ''Kerrang!'' | rev5score = {{Rating|3|5}}<ref name="kerrang">{{cite web|url=https://www.kerrang.com/reviews/album-review-of-mice-men-earthandsky/|title=Album Review: Of Mice & Men - Earthandsky|website=Kerrang!|first=James |last=Hickie|date=September 26, 2019|accessdate=September 26, 2019}}</ref> | rev6 = ''Rock 'N' Load'' | rev6score = 10/10<ref name="Rock 'N' Load">{{cite web|url=https://rocknloadmag.com/news/of-mice-men-earth-and-sky-album-review/|title=Of Mice & Men // Earthandsky // Album Review|website=Rock 'N' Load|date=September 26, 2019|accessdate=September 27, 2019|archive-date=September 27, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190927193742/https://rocknloadmag.com/news/of-mice-men-earth-and-sky-album-review/|url-status=dead}}</ref> | rev7 = ''Rock Sins'' | rev7score = 8/10<ref name="Rock Sins">{{cite web|url=https://www.rocksins.com/2019/09/of-mice-men-earthandsky-37429/|title=Of Mice & Men – Earthandsky|publisher=Rock Sins|first=Simon|last=Crampton|date=September 27, 2019|accessdate=September 30, 2019}}</ref> | rev8 = ''Wall of Sound'' | rev8score = 8.5/10<ref name="WOS">{{cite web|url=https://wallofsoundau.com/2019/09/25/of-mice-men-earthandsky-album-review/|title=Of Mice & Men – Earthandsky (Album Review)|website=Wall of Sound|first=Tamara |last=May|date=September 25, 2019|accessdate=September 26, 2019}}</ref> }} The album received mostly positive reviews from critics. AllMusic gave the album positive review and saying: "''Earthandsky'' feels even more locked-in; an expertly crafted and undeniably hefty slab of grade-A melodic hardcore that plays fast and loose with genre tropes without losing any vitality in the process."<ref name="AllMusic"/> ''Alternative Press'' gave the album a positive review and stated: "Of Mice & Men brought so much authenticity to ''Earthandsky'' by continuing to explore the realities of the mind. No two songs are the same. There's aggression, there's darkness and there's exploration of emotions. Then you get smacked with sonic heaviness, which fans can totally embrace and welcome to the OM&M repertoire."<ref name="Alternative Press"/>

''Dead Press!'' gave the album a positive review saying: "With a determined mindset, Of Mice & Men may have proved on ''Defy'' that they can continue as a quartet, but with ''Earthandsky'', the group display the ability to lead the next wave of metalcore."<ref name="Dead Press"/> ''Distorted Sound'' stated that "''Earthandsky'' is a hefty gift from Of Mice & Men. One could argue it's merely the "step-up" from Defy with an expected push into an even heavier direction, but pockets of surprises with songs that don't hold back in the experimental changes give them a unique, refreshing sound."<ref name="distortedsound"/>

''Kerrang!'' was a little less positive stating, "Whichever facet of Of Mice & Men first appealed to fans, they're catered for even more ably on ''Earthandsky'' than on its predecessor. It is an album as epic as its title, and proves that, although this is a band who have had to traverse more trouble than some, they will not be defeated by them."<ref name="kerrang"/> ''Rock 'N' Load'' praised the album saying, "''Earthandsky'' feels like a natural progression for Of Mice & Men, showing just how far they've come as musicians in the last 9 years while keeping true to the sound that made them a massive part of a lot of younger metal fans lives too."<ref name="Rock 'N' Load"/>

Simon Crampton of ''Rock Sins'' rated the album 8 out of 10 and said: "6 albums into their career and Of Mice & Men have only just begun scratching the surface of what they are capable of. ''Earthandsky'' is one of the strongest albums in their entire arsenal and proves that no matter what is thrown at them, they are fully prepared to dust themselves off and keep coming back better than they were before."<ref name="Rock Sins"/> ''Wall of Sound'' gave the album a positive review saying: "''Earthandsky'' is a representation of past and present day Of Mice & Men. The band aims to find the perfect balance in melodic metalcore right throughout this record, layering screams, vocals and breakdowns in a way that makes for an enjoyable listen."<ref name="WOS"/>

==Track listing== {{Track listing | all_music = Of Mice & Men | title1 = Gravedancer | length1 = 4:32 | title2 = As We Suffocate | length2 = 3:43 | title3 = Taste of Regret | length3 = 3:28 | title4 = Mushroom Cloud | length4 = 4:04 | title5 = Pieces | length5 = 3:43 | title6 = Deceiver/Deceived | length6 = 4:09 | title7 = Earth & Sky | length7 = 4:10 | title8 = The Mountain | length8 = 4:27 | title9 = Meltdown | length9 = 3:19 | title10 = Linger | length10 = 4:08 | title11 = How to Survive | length11 = 3:56 | total_length = 43:40 }}

==Personnel== Credits retrieved from AllMusic.<ref name="AllMusic"/> {{col-begin}} {{col-2}} '''Of Mice & Men''' * Aaron Pauley – lead vocals, bass * Alan Ashby – rhythm guitar, backing vocals * Phil Manansala – lead guitar, backing vocals * Valentino Arteaga – drums, percussion

'''Additional personnel''' * Josh Wilbur – engineering, mixing, production * Nick Rowe – engineering * Josh Brooks and Lana Migliore – assisting engineering * Ted Jensen – mastering * Mike Cortada – artwork, layout {{col-end}}

==Charts== {| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |- ! scope="col"| Chart (2019) ! scope="col"| Peak<br />position |- ! scope="row"| Australian Digital Albums (ARIA)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://cdn.aria.com.au/pdfs/7749D8E1B4D57B0C8CE9A9317F02F6F36514FDC6986667173F28079F2EDF0F5F/ARIA%20Digital%20Albums%20Chart.pdf?seq=26|title=ARIA Australian Top 50 Digital Albums|publisher=Australian Recording Industry Association|date=October 7, 2019|accessdate=October 5, 2019}}</ref> | 25 |- {{album chart|Germany|78|id=392060|artist=Of Mice & Men|album=Earth & Sky|rowheader=true|accessdate=October 4, 2019}} |- {{album chart|Scotland|68|date=20191004|rowheader=true|accessdate=October 5, 2019}} |}

==References== {{reflist}}

Category:2019 albums Category:Of Mice & Men (band) albums Category:Rise Records albums