Split (Lush album)

{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}} {{Infobox album | name = Split | type = studio | artist = [[Lush (band)|Lush]] | cover = Split (Lush album) cover art.jpg | alt = | released = 13 June 1994 | recorded = October – December 1993 | studio = {{hlist|[[Rockfield Studios|Rockfield]], Wales|Berry House, Sussex|[[Abbey Road Studios|Abbey Road]], London}} | genre = {{hlist|[[Shoegaze]]|[[dream pop]]|[[noise pop]]}} | length = 52:06 | label = [[4AD]] | producer = {{hlist|[[Mike Hedges]]|Lush}} | prev_title = [[Spooky (album)|Spooky]] | prev_year = 1992 | next_title = [[Lovelife (album)|Lovelife]] | next_year = 1996 | misc = {{Singles | name = Split | type = studio | single1 = Hypocrite | single1date = 30 May 1994 | single2 = Desire Lines | single2date = 30 May 1994 }} }}

'''''Split''''' is the second studio album by English [[Rock music|rock]] band [[Lush (band)|Lush]], released on [[4AD]] on 13 June 1994 in the United Kingdom and a day later in the US. Unusually, the two singles from the album, "Desire Lines" and "Hypocrite", were both released on the same day: 30 May 1994. ''Split'' was reissued by 4AD on CD in July 2001.

==Background and recording== Lush chose to work with producer [[Mike Hedges]] because they "loved" his work on ''[[Sulk]]'' by [[The Associates (band)|the Associates]], ''[[A Kiss in the Dreamhouse]]'' by [[Siouxsie and the Banshees]], and ''[[Seventeen Seconds]]'' by [[the Cure]], according to [[Miki Berenyi]].<ref name="aston">{{cite web |first=Martin |last=Aston |title=Chorus Lines – Lush In Conversation With Martin Aston |url=https://4ad.com/forewords/choruslines/lush-readonly.html |publisher=[[4AD]] |access-date=2 May 2018}}</ref> They first recorded at Rockfield in Wales and then mixed at Hedges's house in France, but as [[Phil King (musician)|Phil King]] remembered it, "it sounded as flat as a pancake, no dynamics at all".<ref name="aston" /> They finally decided to have the entire album remixed by [[Alan Moulder]], because he had already worked with [[My Bloody Valentine (band)|My Bloody Valentine]] and [[Ride (band)|Ride]]. Berenyi's verdict was positive, "Alan was brilliant".<ref name="aston" /> However, the band members have since described the process of the album's creation as "traumatic" and "agonizing."<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Pitchfork |date=2018-04-16 |title=The 30 Best Dream Pop Albums |url=https://pitchfork.com/features/lists-and-guides/the-30-best-dream-pop-albums/ |access-date=2025-07-08 |website=Pitchfork |language=en-US}}</ref>

== Music and lyrics == Stylistically, ''Split'' has been described as being in "the space between [[shoegaze]] and [[Britpop]], the moonlit zone where guitars and windchimes suddenly had wonderful pop hooks to hang onto." Lyrical themes explored on the album include [[child abuse]], [[infidelity]], [[voyeurism]], and [[death]].<ref name=":0" />

==Reception and legacy== {{Music ratings | rev1 = [[AllMusic]] | rev1score = {{Rating|4.5|5}}<ref name="allmusic review">{{cite web |first=Andy |last=Kellman |title=Split – Lush |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/split-mw0000114115 |publisher=[[AllMusic]] |access-date=26 August 2009}}</ref> | rev2 = ''[[Chicago Sun-Times]]'' | rev2score = {{Rating|2.5|4}}<ref>{{cite news |title=Lush, 'Split' (Reprise/Warner Bros.) |url=https://chicagosuntimes.newsbank.com/doc/news/0EB421CDF8D40401 |date=24 July 1994 |newspaper=[[Chicago Sun-Times]] |access-date=31 May 2025 |url-access=subscription}}</ref> | rev3 = ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' | rev3score = B+<ref>{{cite magazine |first=Michele |last=Romero |title=Split |url=https://ew.com/article/1994/07/15/split-2/ |date=15 July 1994 |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |access-date=26 August 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240222154907/https://ew.com/article/1994/07/15/split-2/ |archive-date=22 February 2024 |url-status=dead}}</ref> | rev4 = ''[[NME]]'' | rev4score = 6/10<ref>{{cite magazine |first=Dele |last=Fadele |author-link=Dele Fadele |title=The Division Belles |url=https://www.lightfromadeadstar.org/press/Content/Reviews%20-%20New%20Releases/1994-06-11%20-%20NME%20-%20Division%20Belles%20-%20Split%20Review.jpg |date=11 June 1994 |magazine=[[NME]] |access-date=1 October 2016 |page=32}}</ref> | rev5 = ''[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]'' | rev5score = 8.2/10<ref>{{cite web |first=Saby |last=Reyes-Kulkarni |title=Lush: Origami |url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/21816-origami/ |date=3 May 2016 |website=[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]] |access-date=1 October 2016}}</ref> | rev6 = ''[[Q (magazine)|Q]]'' | rev6score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref>{{cite magazine |first=Andrew |last=Collins |author-link=Andrew Collins (broadcaster) |title=Lush: Split |issue=94 |date=July 1994 |magazine=[[Q (magazine)|Q]]}}</ref> | rev7 = ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' | rev7score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref>{{cite magazine |first=Paul |last=Evans |title=Lush: Split |url=http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/lush/albums/album/186992/review/5945930/split |date=8 September 1994 |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |access-date=26 August 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070629224606/http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/lush/albums/album/186992/review/5945930/split |archive-date=29 June 2007 |url-status=dead}}</ref> | rev8 = ''[[Select (magazine)|Select]]'' | rev8score = 2/5<ref name="select">{{cite magazine |first=Roy |last=Wilkinson |author-link=Roy Wilkinson |title=Lush: Split |issue=49 |date=July 1994 |magazine=[[Select (magazine)|Select]] |page=84}}</ref> | rev9 = ''[[Uncut (magazine)|Uncut]]'' | rev9score = 9/10<ref>{{cite magazine |first=Peter |last=Watts |title=Lush: Split |issue=317 |date=October 2023 |magazine=[[Uncut (magazine)|Uncut]] |page=48}}</ref> | rev10 = ''[[Vox (magazine)|Vox]]'' | rev10score = 8/10<ref>{{cite magazine |first=Steve |last=Malins |title=Split Seconds |issue=46 |date=July 1994 |magazine=[[Vox (magazine)|Vox]] |page=104}}</ref> }}

''[[Select (magazine)|Select]]''{{'}}s [[Roy Wilkinson]] gave the album a negative review, describing it as "mid-paced stuff, flitting between melancholy and listlessness."<ref name="select" /> The review went on to state, "There's nothing wrong with a dose of heavyweight introspection per se. But a pretty deft touch is needed to translate it movingly to the recording studio."<ref name="select" />

In a retrospective review, Andy Kellman, writing for [[AllMusic]], was far more positive: "''Split'' touches on most forms of emotional turbulence. Not necessarily a comeback but certainly a legitimizing stunner, the record prevented the band from being lost amidst the bunker of form-over-function [[dream pop]] bands. ''Split'' shattered every negative aspect of those failed acts with flying colors. A fantastic record within any realm."<ref name="allmusic review" /> In 2018, ''[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]'' ranked the album at number 27 on its list of "The 30 Best Dream Pop Albums". Staff writer Jeremy D. Larson wrote: "Thanks to the meticulous production of Mike Hedges, ''Split'' sounds so luxurious and so powerful, the essential sound of Lush. Berenyi and Anderson’s voices sky together in their clearest, most present harmonies. Songs last no longer than they need to, even the ones that stretch to eight minutes. ''Split'' is at once grounded and aloft—fiery, poppy, druggy, and alone."<ref>{{cite web |title=The 30 Best Dream Pop Albums |url=https://pitchfork.com/features/lists-and-guides/the-30-best-dream-pop-albums/ |date=16 April 2018 |website=[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]] |access-date=24 April 2018}}</ref>

==Track listing== {{tracklist | collapsed = | headline =

| title1 = Light from a Dead Star | writer1 = [[Miki Berenyi]] | length1 = 3:15

| title2 = Kiss Chase | writer2 = Berenyi | length2 = 3:17

| title3 = Blackout | writer3 = [[Emma Anderson]] | length3 = 3:06

| title4 = Hypocrite | writer4 = Berenyi | length4 = 2:53

| title5 = Lovelife | writer5 = Anderson | length5 = 3:56

| title6 = Desire Lines | writer6 = Anderson | length6 = 7:37

| title7 = The Invisible Man | writer7 = Anderson | length7 = 2:14

| title8 = Undertow | writer8 = Berenyi | length8 = 4:57

| title9 = Never-Never | writer9 = Anderson | length9 = 8:04

| title10 = Lit Up | writer10 = Anderson | length10 = 4:00

| title11 = Starlust | writer11 = {{hlist|Anderson|Berenyi}} | length11 = 4:32

| title12 = When I Die | writer12 = Anderson | length12 = 4:17 }}

==Release history== {|class="wikitable" ! width="150px"|Country ! width="130px"|Date ! width="120px"|Label ! Format ! Catalogue # |- | rowspan="3"|United Kingdom | rowspan="3"|13 June 1994 | rowspan="3"|[[4AD]] | CD | CAD 4011 CD |- | LP | CAD 4011 |- | Cassette | CAD C 4011 |- | United States | 14 June 1994 | 4AD/[[Reprise Records|Reprise]] | CD | 9 45578-2 |- | Japan | 1 July 1994 | Nippon Columbia | CD | COCY-78078 |- | Japan | 20 March 1996 | Nippon Columbia | CD (reissue) | COCY-80093 |- | United Kingdom | 2 July 2001 | 4AD | CD (reissue) | GAD 4011 CD |}

==Singles== *'''"Hypocrite"''' (30 May 1994) **CD (BAD 4008 CD); 12" vinyl (BAD 4008) **# "Hypocrite" – 2:58 **# "Love at First Sight" – 5:12 (The Gist cover, written by [[Young Marble Giants|Stuart Moxham]]) **# "Cat's Chorus" – 3:23 **# "Undertow ([[Spooky (DJs)|Spooky]] Remix)" – 9:13 **7" vinyl (AD 4008) **# "Hypocrite" – 2:58 **# "Cat's Chorus" – 3:23 *'''"Desire Lines"''' (30 May 1994) **CD (BAD 4010 CD); 12" vinyl (BAD 4010) **# "Desire Lines" – 7:29 **# "White Wood" – 4:14 **# "Girl's World" – 4:56 **# "Lovelife (Suga Bullit Remix)" – 8:15 **7" vinyl (AD 4010) **# "Desire Lines" – 7:29 **# "Girl's World" – 4:56 *'''"When I Die"''' (promo only, June 1994) **Radio promo CD (PRO-CD-7048) **# "When I Die ([[Scott Litt]] Remix)" – 4:20 **# "Light from a Dead Star (Album Version)" – 3:17 **# "Lovelife (Album Version)" – 3:57 *'''"Lovelife"''' (promo only, 1994) **Radio promo CD (PRO-CD-7092) **# "Lovelife (Album Version)" – 3:56 **# "Lovelife (Suga Bullit Remix Edit)" – 5:28 **# "Lovelife (Suga Bullit Remix)" – 8:15

==Personnel== Personnel credits adapted from the album's liner notes.<ref name="cdliner">{{cite AV media notes |title=Split |others=[[Lush (band)|Lush]] |publisher=[[4AD]] |year=1994 |id=CAD 4011 CD |type=liner notes}}</ref>

'''Lush''' *[[Chris Acland]] – [[Drum kit|drums]] *[[Emma Anderson]] – [[guitar]]s, [[Singing|vocals]] *[[Miki Berenyi]] – vocals, guitars *[[Phil King (musician)|Phil King]] – [[Bass guitar|bass]]

'''Additional personnel''' *Chris Bigg – art direction, design *[[Richard Caldicott]] – photography *[[Martin Ditcham]] – percussion *[[Mike Hedges]] – [[Audio engineer|engineering]], [[Record producer|production]] *Chris Ludwinski – engineering *[[Martin McCarrick]] – string arrangements (6, 12) *[[Melodie McDaniel]] – photography *[[Alan Moulder]] – [[Audio mixing (recorded music)|mix]] engineering *[[Vaughan Oliver]] – art direction, design *Lance Phillips – engineering *Paul Read – engineering *[[Audrey Riley]] – string arrangements (1, 9) *Curtis Schwartz – engineering *Ronen Tal – engineering assistance

==Charts== {|class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" !scope="col"| Chart (1994) !scope="col"| Peak<br />position |- {{Album chart|Scotland|76|date=19940529|access-date=31 May 2025|refname="Scotland1994"|rowheader=true}} |- {{Album chart|UK2|19|date=19940619|access-date=14 May 2018|rowheader=true}} |- !scope="row"| [[UK Independent Singles and Albums Charts|UK Independent Albums]] ([[Official Charts Company|OCC]])<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Independent Albums |date=2 July 1994 |magazine=[[Music Week]] |page=20}}</ref> | 2 |- {{Album chart|Billboard200|195|M|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/billboard-200/1994-07-02/|title=Billboard 200™|work=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|date=2 July 1994|access-date=31 May 2025|rowheader=true}} |- !scope="row"| US [[Heatseekers charts|Heatseekers Albums]] (''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'')<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Heatseekers Albums |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/heatseekers-albums/1994-07-02 |date=2 July 1994 |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |access-date=31 May 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190620003358/https://www.billboard.com/charts/heatseekers-albums/1994-07-02 |archive-date=20 June 2019 |url-status=dead}}</ref> | 23 |} {|class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" !scope="col"| Chart (2023) !scope="col"| Peak<br />position |- {{Album chart|Scotland|53|date=20230818|access-date=31 May 2025|refname="Scotland2023"|rowheader=true}} |}

==References== {{Reflist}}

[[Category:1994 albums]] [[Category:Lush (band) albums]] [[Category:Albums produced by Mike Hedges]] [[Category:4AD albums]] [[Category:Albums recorded at Rockfield Studios]] [[Category:Albums recorded in a home studio]]