{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2025}} {{Infobox album | name = Ignore Grief | type = studio | artist = [[Xiu Xiu]] | cover = Xiu Xiu - Ignore Grief.jpg | alt = | released = {{start date|2023|03|03}} | studio = Nurse (Los Angeles) | genre = * [[Experimental music|Experimental]] * [[Industrial music|industrial]] * [[Contemporary classical music|modern classical music]] | length = 42:14 | label = [[Polyvinyl Record Co.|Polyvinyl]] | producer = [[Angela Seo]] | prev_title = [[Oh No (Xiu Xiu album)|Oh No]] | prev_year = 2021 | next_title = [[13" Frank Beltrame Italian Stiletto with Bison Horn Grips]] | next_year = 2024 | misc = {{Singles | name = Ignore Grief | type = studio | single1 = Maybae Baeby | single1date = January 12, 2023 | single2 = Pahrump | single2date = February 15, 2023 }} }} '''''Ignore Grief''''' is the thirteenth studio album by American [[experimental music|experimental]] band [[Xiu Xiu]], released on March 3, 2023, by [[Polyvinyl Record Co.|Polyvinyl]]. It was written by band leader [[Jamie Stewart (American musician)|Jamie Stewart]] and new member [[David Kendrick]], formerly the drummer of [[Devo (band)|Devo]]. It was produced by fellow member [[Angela Seo]], and recorded by Stewart at their home studio in Los Angeles, alongside a wide array of guest musicians including [[Charlie Looker]], Ben Chisholm, Ezra Buchla, Patrick Shiroishi and Ian Wellman. The album artwork was designed by Janelle Abad, and depicts a white bat over a black background.
''Ignore Grief'' is a departure from the band's previous album, more in line with the sounds and themes seen in ''[[Girl with Basket of Fruit]]'' (2019). It mainly features a sound that embodies [[experimental music|experimental]], [[Industrial music|industrial]], and [[Contemporary classical music|modern classical music]]. Instrumentally, it incorporates orchestral instrumentation including violins, [[viola]]s, [[cello]]s, [[double bass]], flutes and piano, in addition to the electronic percussion and synthesizers typically used by the band, as well as a variety of other instruments, including, [[gong]]s, [[double reed|double reed flute]] and [[found object]]s. Its lyrical content explores life's horrors and human tragedy, dealing with prostitution, [[sex trafficking]], murder, [[cult]]s and [[substance abuse]], through two halves, one inspired by real stories, and the other one by imaginary ones, sang each by Seo and Stewart.
The first single, "Maybae Baeby" was released on January 12, 2023,<ref>{{Cite web|last=Brodsky|first=Rachel|date=January 12, 2023|title=Xiu Xiu Share New Song "Maybae Baeby": Listen|url=https://www.stereogum.com/2210247/xiu-xiu-maybae-baeby-ignore-grief/music/|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=January 12, 2023|website=[[Stereogum]]}}</ref> followed by "Pahrump" on February 15.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Brodsky|first=Rachel|date=February 15, 2023|title=Xiu Xiu Share New Song "Pahrump": Listen|url=https://www.stereogum.com/2213934/xiu-xiu-pahrump/music/|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=February 15, 2023|website=[[Stereogum]]}}</ref>
== Background == ''Ignore Grief'' was announced on January 12, 2023, via the band's social media platforms. Regarding the lead single, frontrunner [[Jamie Stewart (American musician)|Jamie Stewart]] said: "In 'Maybae Baeby,' the singer's viewpoint is of a young person hiding in a fantastical conversation with a tarantula in order to escape a physically abusive parent". The album also marks the first project to feature contributions from new member [[David Kendrick]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=January 12, 2023|title=Xiu Xiu announce new album, Ignore Grief|url=https://www.treblezine.com/xiu-xiu-announce-new-album-ignore-grief/|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=January 12, 2023|website=Treblezine}}</ref><ref name="Motorco">{{cite web|url=https://motorcomusic.com/tc-speakers/xiu-xiu/|title=XIU XIU|date=12 January 2023|website=Motorco Music Hall|access-date=12 January 2023}}</ref><ref name="Polyvinyl">{{cite web|url=https://polyvinylrecords.com/product/ignore_grief|title=Xiu Xiu – Ignore Grief|date=12 January 2023|website=Polyvinyl Records|access-date=12 January 2023}}</ref>
==Composition== ===Musical style and influences=== ''Ignore Grief'' departs from the band's previous album, more in line with the sounds and themes seen in ''[[Girl with Basket of Fruit]]'' (2019). It has been described by the band as an [[experimental music|experimental]], [[Industrial music|industrial]], and [[Contemporary classical music|modern classical music]] album.<ref name="Polyvinyl"/>
===Lyrics and themes=== ''Ignore Grief'' is a two-part album with one half depicting the suffering of five people connected to the band, and the other depicting imaginary stories. Lyrically, the album deals with said suffering, and acts as an "[[Abstract art|abstract]] exploration of the early [[rock and roll]] '[[Teenage tragedy song|Teen Tragedy]]' genre", through themes such as [[prostitution]], [[sex trafficking]], [[murder]], [[cult]]s and [[substance abuse]]. The imaginary songs are written as a way to offer levity to the band, due to the heaviness of the themes discussed. With the "aesthetic examination" of these issues, the band aspires "to see if there is any way to come out the other side or if there is even any reason. In either case there may not be but to simply turn away would be yet a further act of destruction".<ref name="Polyvinyl"/>
==Reception== ===Critical=== {{Music ratings | ADM = 68/100<ref name=ADM>{{Cite web |url=http://www.anydecentmusic.com/review/13571/Xiu-Xiu-Ignore-Grief.aspx|title=Ignore Grief by Xiu Xiu reviews|website=AnyDecentMusic?|access-date=September 11, 2023}}</ref> | MC = 80/100<ref name=MC>{{Cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/music/ignore-grief/xiu-xiu|title=Ignore Grief by Xiu Xiu Reviews and Tracks |website=[[Metacritic]] |access-date=September 11, 2023}}</ref> | rev1 = [[AllMusic]] | rev1score = {{rating|4|5}}<ref name="AllMusic">{{cite web |last=Phares|first=Heather|title=Ignore Grief - Xiu Xiu {{!}} Songs, Reviews, Credits |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/ignore-grief-mw0003906037|website=[[AllMusic]]|access-date=September 11, 2023}}</ref> | rev2 = ''[[Beats Per Minute (website)|Beats Per Minute]]'' | rev2score = 80%<ref name="BPM">{{cite web |last=Wohlmacher|first=John|title=Xiu Xiu - Ignore Grief {{!}} Album Reviews |url=https://beatsperminute.com/album-review-xiu-xiu-ignore-grief/|website=[[Beats Per Minute (website)|Beats Per Minute]]|date=15 March 2023 |access-date=September 11, 2023}}</ref> | rev3 = ''[[Clash (magazine)|Clash]]'' | rev3score = 9/10<ref name="Clash">{{cite web |last=Roseblade|first=Nick|title=Xiu Xiu - Ignore Grief Album Review |url=https://www.clashmusic.com/reviews/xiu-xiu-ignore-grief/|website=[[Clash (magazine)|Clash]]|date=2 March 2023 |access-date=September 11, 2023}}</ref> | rev4 = ''[[The Line of Best Fit]]'' | rev4score = 6/10<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/albums/xiu-xiu-ignore-grief-warped-wicked-entry|title=Ignore Grief is a warped and wicked entry in the Xiu Xiu catalogue|website=[[The Line of Best Fit]]|last=v|first=Kyle|date=7 March 2023|access-date=22 November 2025}}</ref> | rev5 = ''[[Slant Magazine]]'' | rev5score = {{rating|3|5}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.slantmagazine.com/music/xiu-xiu-ignore-grief-album-review/|title=Healing the Traumatized Mind|website=[[Slant Magazine]]|last=Barrett|first=Fred|date=February 27, 2023|access-date=November 22, 2025}}</ref> | rev6 = ''[[Sputnikmusic]]'' | rev6score = 3.5/5<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sputnikmusic.com/review/86423/Xiu-Xiu-Ignore-Grief/|title=Xiu Xiu - Ignore Grief |website=[[Sputnikmusic]]|last=Stanciu|first=Raul|date=March 3, 2023|access-date=November 22, 2025}}</ref> | rev7 = ''[[Under the Radar (magazine)|Under the Radar]]'' | rev7score = 7/10<ref name=UTR>{{Cite web |url=https://www.undertheradarmag.com/reviews/ignore_grief_xiu_xiu|title=Xiu Xiu: Ignore Grief Review|website=[[Under the Radar (magazine)|Under the Radar]]|last=Willems|first=Jasper|access-date=September 11, 2023}}</ref> }}
''Ignore Grief'' received generally favourable reviews from critics. At [[Metacritic]], which assigns a [[Standard score|normalised]] rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream publications, the album received a score of 80, based on 7 reviews.<ref name="MC"/>
== Track listing == {{Track listing | headline = ''Ignore Grief'' track listing | total_length = 42:14 | title1 = The Real Chaos Cha Cha Cha | length1 = 5:18 | title2 = 666 Photos of Nothing | length2 = 3:52 | title3 = Esquerita, Little Richard | length3 = 3:34 | title4 = Maybae Baeby | length4 = 3:30 | title5 = Tarsier, Tarsier, Tarsier, Tarsier | length5 = 4:24 | title6 = Pahrump | length6 = 4:22 | title7 = Border Factory | length7 = 3:01 | title8 = Dracula Parrot, Moon Moth | length8 = 3:07 | title9 = Brothel Creeper | length9 = 2:58 | title10 = For M. | length10 = 8:18 }}
==Personnel== Credits adapted from Polyvinyl.<ref name="Polyvinyl"/>
'''Xiu Xiu''' * [[Jamie Stewart (American musician)|Jamie Stewart]] – vocals, synthesizers, [[harmonium]], percussion, electronic percussion, [[double reed]] flute, found objects, recording, arrangement * [[Angela Seo]] – vocals, piano, gongs, no-input mixer, percussion, [[Record producer|production]] * [[David Kendrick]] – percussion, drums
'''Additional musicians''' {{div col}} *[[Charlie Looker]] – choral vocals *Ben Chisholm – synthesizer, piano, electronic percussion *Ezra Buchla – viola *Patrick Shiroishi – saxophones *Ian Wellman – [[field recording]]s *Andrea Kopecká – violins *Radka Navrátilová – violins *Katrina Musilová – violas *Marie Vlčková – violas *Martina Čermáková – cellos *Jiřina Hájková – cellos *Pavel Kučera – [[double bass]] *Jitka Kašparová – flutes *Marika Nováková – flutes *Dominika Charvátová – [[Woodwind instrument|woodwinds]] *Sára Štěpánová – woodwinds *Pavlína Vlková – woodwinds *Chris Dostál – [[Brass instrument|brass]] *Katrina Lišková – brass *David Zelenka – brass {{div col end}}
'''Technical''' *[[Lawrence English]] – [[Audio mixing (recorded music)|mixing]] *Alan Douches – [[Mastering (audio)|mastering]]
'''Artwork''' * Janelle Abad – design
== References == {{Reflist}}
{{Xiu Xiu}}
{{Authority control}}
[[Category:2023 albums]] [[Category:Xiu Xiu albums]] [[Category:Polyvinyl Record Co. albums]]