{{use mdy dates|date=February 2024}} {{Infobox album | name = Neon Pill | type = studio | artist = Cage the Elephant | cover = Cage the Elephant - Neon Pill (album).png | alt = | released = May 17, 2024 | recorded = <!-- Do not add unsourced recording dates/years --> | studio = | genre = <!-- Do not add unsourced genres --> | length = 38:35 | label = RCA | producer = John Hill | prev_title = Social Cues | prev_year = 2019 | next_title = | next_year = | misc = {{Singles | name = Neon Pill | type = studio | single1 = Neon Pill | single1date = January 19, 2024 | single2 = Out Loud | single2date = February 29, 2024 | single3 = Good Time | single3date = April 5, 2024 | single4 = Metaverse | single4date = May 3, 2024 }} }}
'''''Neon Pill''''' is the sixth studio album by American rock band Cage the Elephant. It was released on May 17, 2024, by RCA Records.<ref name="TLOBFNP">{{cite web |title=Cage The Elephant announce their forthcoming sixth studio album, Neon Pill |url=https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/news/cage-the-elephant-announce-their-forthcoming-sixth-studio-album-neon-pill |website=The Line of Best Fit |access-date=29 February 2024}}</ref> ''Neon Pill'' follows ''Social Cues'' (2019), which marks the longest gap between two Cage the Elephant studio albums. The title track was nominated for Best Alternative Music Performance at the 67th Annual Grammy Awards.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Atkinson |first=Katie |date=8 November 2024 |title=Grammy Nominations 2025: See the Complete List |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/awards/grammy-nominations-2025-full-list-1235823165/ |access-date=8 November 2024 |website=Billboard }}</ref>
==Background== The album's full track listing was announced by Cage the Elephant on social media on March 19, 2024.<ref>{{Cite Instagram |postid=C4tOYtkuUqw |user=cagetheelephant |title=We can't wait for you to listen to our new album Neon Pill. What song are you most looking forward to? Pre-order vinyl now from our Shop at cagetheelephant.com. Out worldwide May 17th. |date=March 19, 2024 |author=Cage the Elephant |access-date=March 19, 2024}}</ref>
The album material was written over a long, eventful period — about five years after ''Social Cues''. The band's unusually long period between albums was due to lead singer Matt Shultz experiencing a severe mental health crisis triggered by an adverse reaction to prescribed ADHD medication, which led to paranoid delusions and a break from reality. This ultimately resulted in him being arrested for firearm possession, but he was able to recover, after which he reunited with the band and they continued to work on the album.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Shteamer |first=Hank |date=June 19, 2024 |title=How Cage the Elephant's Frontman Nearly Lost It All |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/06/19/arts/music/cage-the-elephant-neon-pill.html |website=The New York Times}}</ref> Guitarist Brad Shultz stated "Every record has its journey and this was the longest amount of time it took us to make a record, but it was meant to be what it was," while remarking that the recording process "had a lot of starts and stops but when we actually started making the record, it was maybe a month and we were done."<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Cage The Elephant's Matt Shultz Reveals Personal Meaning Behind 'Neon Pill' |url=https://www.iheart.com/content/2024-05-20-cage-the-elephants-matt-shultz-reveals-personal-meaning-behind-neon-pill/ |access-date=2025-09-30 |website=iHeart }}</ref> He also explained that some of the songs were inspired by their father who was also a musician, and emphasized that their influences for ''Neon Pill'' were less about "what's trending" or "discovering new music" and more about channeling what was inside them.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-06-24 |title=Cage The Elephant: A New Day Under The Influence |url=https://readrange.com/cage-the-elephant-neon-pill-interview/ |access-date=2025-10-24 |website=RANGE }}</ref>
In an interview with IHeartRadio, Shultz explained why ''Neon Pill'' was chosen for the name of the album, "I definitely went through a really difficult time where I was prescribed a medication and unknowingly went into psychosis — it can happen, it's a terrible thing if it does — but I'm a living miracle right now, so that's probably the biggest reason why we chose that as the title track."<ref name=":1" />
== Musical style and themes == The album features lyrics reflecting Shultz's psychological descent and recovery, blending confessional songwriting with the band's evolving, genre-fluid sound. The songs "Neon Pill" and "Rainbow" trace his personal trauma, including a temporary divorce from his wife Eva.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Routledge |first=Megan |date=2024-05-03 |title=Cage The Elephant, the GRAMMY® Award-Winning Rock Band, Share Their New Single 'Metaverse' |url=https://www.thesoundcafe.com/post/cage-the-elephant-the-grammy-award-winning-rock-band-share-their-new-single-metaverse |access-date=2025-09-30 |website=The Sound Cafe }}</ref> "Out Loud" and "Over Your Shoulder" are references to Matt and Brad Shultz's father who died in 2020.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2024-05-16 |title=Rock band Cage the Elephant emerge from loss and hospitalization with new album 'Neon Pill' |url=https://apnews.com/article/cage-elephant-neon-pill-00eb655effc64e419c127668770d03c6 |access-date=2025-09-30 |website=AP News }}</ref>
Some tracks are more glam / swaggering rock (e.g. "Ball and Chain"). Others are more restrained or emotional soft ballads, piano-led and alt-rock textures.<ref name=":0" /> In some cases it pulls together elements from across their past albums — not leaning heavily into one era or style, but blending them together.<ref name=":0" />
==Promotion== The album was preceded by the release of the title track as the lead single on January 19, 2024. The song was the band's first release in five years.<ref name="ConsequenceNP">{{cite web |title=Cage the Elephant Release New Song "Neon Pill" |url=https://consequence.net/2024/01/cage-the-elephant-neon-pill-stream/ |website=Consequence |access-date=29 February 2024 |date=19 January 2024}}</ref> The second single, "Out Loud", was released on February 29, 2024, simultaneously with the album's announcement. The third and fourth singles, "Good Time" and "Metaverse", were released on April 5 and May 3 respectively.<ref>{{cite web |last=Dunworth |first=Liberty |title=Listen to Cage The Elephant's charismatic new single 'Good Time' |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/listen-to-cage-the-elephants-charismatic-new-single-good-time-3613906 |website=NME |access-date=May 15, 2024 |date=April 5, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |last=Paul |first=Larisha |title=Cage the Elephant Can't Outrun Their Dreams on New Single 'Metaverse' |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/cage-the-elephant-metaverse-single-1235014741/ |magazine=Rolling Stone |access-date=May 15, 2024 |date=May 3, 2024}}</ref>
The songs "Neon Pill", "Out Loud" and "Metaverse" all topped the ''Billboard'' Alternative Songs chart.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Cage the Elephant {{!}} Biography, Music & News |url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/cage-the-elephant/ |access-date=2025-09-30 |website=Billboard }}</ref>
==Critical reception== {{Music ratings | MC = 74/100<ref name="MC">{{cite web |title=Neon Pill by Cage the Elephant |url=https://www.metacritic.com/music/neon-pill/cage-the-elephant |website=Metacritic |access-date=May 24, 2024 }}</ref> | rev1 = AllMusic | rev1score = {{rating|3.5|5}}<ref name="AllMusicNP">{{cite web |title=Neon Pill - Cage the Elephant {{!}} Album {{!}} AllMusic |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/neon-pill-mw0004232185 |website=AllMusic |access-date=May 19, 2024 }}</ref> | rev2 = ''Clash'' | rev2score = 7/10<ref name="ClashNP">{{Cite magazine |last=Connor |first=Christopher |date=May 15, 2024 |title=Cage The Elephant – Neon Pill {{!}} Reviews |url=https://www.clashmusic.com/reviews/cage-the-elephant-neon-pill/ |access-date=May 19, 2024 |magazine=Clash}}</ref> | rev4 = ''Paste'' | rev4score = 7.8/10<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Goldberg |first=Alyssa |date=May 20, 2024 |title=Cage the Elephant's ''Neon Pill'' is a 15-Year Culmination of What They Do Best |url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/music/cage-the-elephant/cage-the-elephants-neon-pill-is-a-15-year-culmination-of-what-they-do-best |access-date=May 24, 2024 |magazine=Paste}}</ref> | rev5 = ''Rolling Stone'' | rev5score = {{rating|4|5}}<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Dolan |first=Jon |date=May 22, 2024 |title=Cage the Elephant Fight For Salvation Amidst Darkness on 'Neon Pill' |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-album-reviews/cage-the-elephant-neon-pill-review-1235025107/ |access-date=September 30, 2025 |magazine=Rolling Stone}}</ref> | rev6 = ''The Daily Cardinal'' | rev6score = 7/10<ref name="DailyCardinalNP">{{cite web |last=Chandra |first=Arin |title=Breaking down the bold vibes of Cage the Elephant's 'Neon Pill' |url=https://www.dailycardinal.com/article/2024/11/breaking-down-the-bold-vibes-of-cage-the-elephants-neon-pill |website=The Daily Cardinal |access-date=October 24, 2025 |date=November 26, 2024}}</ref> }} Upon release, ''Neon Pill'' received generally positive reviews from critics. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 based on reviews from mainstream publications, the album has an average score of 74 based on seven reviews, indicating "generally favorable reviews".<ref name="MC" /> Stephen Thomas from AllMusic gave the album a positive review, stating "The album may have been written during a dark night of the soul but it was recorded with precision and concentration, ultimately obscuring the pain at the point of origin."<ref name="AllMusicNP" /> Arin Chandra of ''The Daily Cardinal'' wrote "Although it is not as strong as the band's other albums in terms of instrumental power and catchiness, the themes of self-struggle and acceptance ring true in their latest work. It marks another addition to their impressive and unique discography and is a solid return to form after a five-year hiatus."<ref name="DailyCardinalNP" />
==Track listing== {{track listing | headline = ''Neon Pill'' track listing | all_writing = Matt Shultz, Brad Shultz, Nick Bockrath, Matthan Minster, Daniel Tichenor, and Jared Champion, except where noted. | title1 = HiFi (True Light) | length1 = 3:22 | title2 = Rainbow | length2 = 3:15 | title3 = Neon Pill | note3 = Bockrath, Champion, Minster, B. Schulz, M. Schulz, Tichenor, Vlad Holiday | length3 = 3:21 | title4 = Float Into the Sky | length4 = 3:58 | title5 = Metaverse | note5 = Bockrath, Champion, Minster, B. Schulz, M. Schulz, Tichenor, Jermaine Armstead, Holiday | length5 = 2:14 | title6 = Out Loud | note6 = M. Shultz, Caitlyn Smith | length6 = 3:20 | title7 = Ball and Chain | length7 = 2:46 | title8 = Good Time | length8 = 3:07 | title9 = Shy Eyes | length9 = 3:12 | title10 = Silent Picture | length10 = 3:45 | title11 = Same | length11 = 2:58 | title12 = Over Your Shoulder | note12 = Bockrath, Champion, Minster, B. Schulz, M. Schulz, Tichenor, Holiday | length12 = 3:17 | total_length = 38:35 }}
==Personnel== '''Cage the Elephant''' * Matt Shultz – vocals, guitar * Brad Shultz – guitar * Nick Bockrath – guitar, synthesizer * Matthan Minster – drums, piano, synthesizer * Daniel Tichenor – bass * Jared Champion – drums
'''Additional contributors''' {{div col}} * John Hill – production * Randy Merrill – mastering * Manny Marroquin – mixing * Jeremy Ferguson – engineering * John Mueller – engineering * Jon Yeston – engineering * Jonny Bell – engineering * Chris Galland – engineering assistance * Eli Epstein – engineering assistance * Jeremie Inhaber – engineering assistance * Josue San Martin – engineering assistance * Kenny Harrington – engineering assistance * Lauren Marquez – engineering assistance * Mario Ramírez – engineering assistance * Robin Florent – engineering assistance * Skyler Chuckry – engineering assistance * Rob Moose – strings on "Neon Pill", "Out Loud", and "Good Time" * Katie Schecter – background vocals on "Neon Pill" and "Good Time" * Nick Winegardner – background vocals on "Neon Pill" and "Good Time" * Paige MacKinnon – background vocals on "Neon Pill" and "Good Time" {{div col end}}
==Charts== {| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |+ Chart performance for ''Neon Pill'' ! scope="col"| Chart (2024) ! scope="col"| Peak<br />position |- ! scope="row"| French Physical Albums (SNEP)<ref>{{cite web | url=https://snepmusique.com/les-tops/le-top-de-la-semaine/top-albums/?semaine=21&annee=2024&categorie=Top%20Albums%20Physiques | title=Top Albums - SNEP | publisher=SNEP | access-date=June 13, 2024 | archive-date=June 13, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240613175233/https://snepmusique.com/les-tops/le-top-de-la-semaine/top-albums/?semaine=21&annee=2024&categorie=Top%20Albums%20Physiques | url-status=live }}</ref> | 86 |- {{album chart|Portugal|67|artist=Cage the Elephant|album=Neon Pill|rowheader=true|access-date=June 12, 2024}} |- {{album chart|Scotland|47|date=20240524|rowheader=true|access-date=May 25, 2024}} |- {{album chart|UKDigital|50|date=20240524|rowheader=true|access-date=May 25, 2024}} |- {{album chart|Billboard200|57|artist=Cage the Elephant|rowheader=true|access-date=May 29, 2024}} |- ! scope="row"| US Top Rock & Alternative Albums (''Billboard'')<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/cage-the-elephant/chart-history/rkc/|title=Cage the Elephant Chart History: Top Rock & Alternative Albums|magazine=Billboard|access-date=May 29, 2024}}</ref> | 15 |- ! scope="row"| US Top Rock Albums (''Billboard'') | 12 |}
==References== {{reflist}}
{{Cage the Elephant}} {{Authority control}}
Category:2024 albums Category:Cage the Elephant albums Category:RCA Records albums