# Split (Lush album)

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1994 studio album by Lush

Split Studio album by Lush Released 13 June 1994 Recorded October – December 1993 Studio Rockfield, Wales Berry House, Sussex Abbey Road, London Genre Shoegaze dream pop noise pop Length 52:06 Label 4AD Producer Mike Hedges Lush Lush chronology Spooky (1992) Split (1994) Lovelife (1996) Singles from Split "Hypocrite" Released: 30 May 1994 "Desire Lines" Released: 30 May 1994

***Split*** is the second studio album by English [rock](/source/Rock_music) band [Lush](/source/Lush_(band)), released on [4AD](/source/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](/source/Mike_Hedges) because they "loved" his work on *[Sulk](/source/Sulk)* by [the Associates](/source/The_Associates_(band)), *[A Kiss in the Dreamhouse](/source/A_Kiss_in_the_Dreamhouse)* by [Siouxsie and the Banshees](/source/Siouxsie_and_the_Banshees), and *[Seventeen Seconds](/source/Seventeen_Seconds)* by [the Cure](/source/The_Cure), according to [Miki Berenyi](/source/Miki_Berenyi).[1] They first recorded at Rockfield in Wales and then mixed at Hedges's house in France, but as [Phil King](/source/Phil_King_(musician)) remembered it, "it sounded as flat as a pancake, no dynamics at all".[1] They finally decided to have the entire album remixed by [Alan Moulder](/source/Alan_Moulder), because he had already worked with [My Bloody Valentine](/source/My_Bloody_Valentine_(band)) and [Ride](/source/Ride_(band)). Berenyi's verdict was positive, "Alan was brilliant".[1] However, the band members have since described the process of the album's creation as "traumatic" and "agonizing."[2]

## Music and lyrics

Stylistically, *Split* has been described as being in "the space between [shoegaze](/source/Shoegaze) and [Britpop](/source/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](/source/Child_abuse), [infidelity](/source/Infidelity), [voyeurism](/source/Voyeurism), and [death](/source/Death).[2]

## Reception and legacy

Professional ratings Review scores Source Rating AllMusic [3] Chicago Sun-Times [4] Entertainment Weekly B+[5] NME 6/10[6] Pitchfork 8.2/10[7] Q [8] Rolling Stone [9] Select 2/5[10] Uncut 9/10[11] Vox 8/10[12]

*[Select](/source/Select_(magazine))*'s [Roy Wilkinson](/source/Roy_Wilkinson) gave the album a negative review, describing it as "mid-paced stuff, flitting between melancholy and listlessness."[10] 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."[10]

In a retrospective review, Andy Kellman, writing for [AllMusic](/source/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](/source/Dream_pop) bands. *Split* shattered every negative aspect of those failed acts with flying colors. A fantastic record within any realm."[3] In 2018, *[Pitchfork](/source/Pitchfork_(website))* 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."[13]

## Track listing

No. Title Writer(s) Length 1. "Light from a Dead Star" Miki Berenyi 3:15 2. "Kiss Chase" Berenyi 3:17 3. "Blackout" Emma Anderson 3:06 4. "Hypocrite" Berenyi 2:53 5. "Lovelife" Anderson 3:56 6. "Desire Lines" Anderson 7:37 7. "The Invisible Man" Anderson 2:14 8. "Undertow" Berenyi 4:57 9. "Never-Never" Anderson 8:04 10. "Lit Up" Anderson 4:00 11. "Starlust" Anderson Berenyi 4:32 12. "When I Die" Anderson 4:17

## Release history

Country Date Label Format Catalogue # United Kingdom 13 June 1994 4AD CD CAD 4011 CD LP CAD 4011 Cassette CAD C 4011 United States 14 June 1994 4AD/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) 1. "Hypocrite" – 2:58 1. "Love at First Sight" – 5:12 (The Gist cover, written by [Stuart Moxham](/source/Young_Marble_Giants)) 1. "Cat's Chorus" – 3:23 1. "Undertow ([Spooky](/source/Spooky_(DJs)) Remix)" – 9:13 - 7" vinyl (AD 4008) 1. "Hypocrite" – 2:58 1. "Cat's Chorus" – 3:23

- **"Desire Lines"** (30 May 1994) - CD (BAD 4010 CD); 12" vinyl (BAD 4010) 1. "Desire Lines" – 7:29 1. "White Wood" – 4:14 1. "Girl's World" – 4:56 1. "Lovelife (Suga Bullit Remix)" – 8:15 - 7" vinyl (AD 4010) 1. "Desire Lines" – 7:29 1. "Girl's World" – 4:56

- **"When I Die"** (promo only, June 1994) - Radio promo CD (PRO-CD-7048) 1. "When I Die ([Scott Litt](/source/Scott_Litt) Remix)" – 4:20 1. "Light from a Dead Star (Album Version)" – 3:17 1. "Lovelife (Album Version)" – 3:57

- **"Lovelife"** (promo only, 1994) - Radio promo CD (PRO-CD-7092) 1. "Lovelife (Album Version)" – 3:56 1. "Lovelife (Suga Bullit Remix Edit)" – 5:28 1. "Lovelife (Suga Bullit Remix)" – 8:15

## Personnel

Personnel credits adapted from the album's liner notes.[14]

**Lush**

- [Chris Acland](/source/Chris_Acland) – [drums](/source/Drum_kit)

- [Emma Anderson](/source/Emma_Anderson) – [guitars](/source/Guitar), [vocals](/source/Singing)

- [Miki Berenyi](/source/Miki_Berenyi) – vocals, guitars

- [Phil King](/source/Phil_King_(musician)) – [bass](/source/Bass_guitar)

**Additional personnel**

- Chris Bigg – art direction, design

- [Richard Caldicott](/source/Richard_Caldicott) – photography

- [Martin Ditcham](/source/Martin_Ditcham) – percussion

- [Mike Hedges](/source/Mike_Hedges) – [engineering](/source/Audio_engineer), [production](/source/Record_producer)

- Chris Ludwinski – engineering

- [Martin McCarrick](/source/Martin_McCarrick) – string arrangements (6, 12)

- [Melodie McDaniel](/source/Melodie_McDaniel) – photography

- [Alan Moulder](/source/Alan_Moulder) – [mix](/source/Audio_mixing_(recorded_music)) engineering

- [Vaughan Oliver](/source/Vaughan_Oliver) – art direction, design

- Lance Phillips – engineering

- Paul Read – engineering

- [Audrey Riley](/source/Audrey_Riley) – string arrangements (1, 9)

- Curtis Schwartz – engineering

- Ronen Tal – engineering assistance

## Charts

Chart (1994) Peak position Scottish Albums (OCC)[15] 76 UK Albums (OCC)[16] 19 UK Independent Albums (OCC)[17] 2 US Billboard 200[18] 195 US Heatseekers Albums (Billboard)[19] 23

Chart (2023) Peak position Scottish Albums (OCC)[20] 53

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-aston_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-aston_1-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-aston_1-2) Aston, Martin. ["Chorus Lines – Lush In Conversation With Martin Aston"](https://4ad.com/forewords/choruslines/lush-readonly.html). [4AD](/source/4AD). Retrieved 2 May 2018.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:0_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:0_2-1) Pitchfork (16 April 2018). ["The 30 Best Dream Pop Albums"](https://pitchfork.com/features/lists-and-guides/the-30-best-dream-pop-albums/). *Pitchfork*. Retrieved 8 July 2025.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-allmusic_review_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-allmusic_review_3-1) Kellman, Andy. ["Split – Lush"](https://www.allmusic.com/album/split-mw0000114115). [AllMusic](/source/AllMusic). Retrieved 26 August 2009.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["Lush, 'Split' (Reprise/Warner Bros.)"](https://chicagosuntimes.newsbank.com/doc/news/0EB421CDF8D40401). *[Chicago Sun-Times](/source/Chicago_Sun-Times)*. 24 July 1994. Retrieved 31 May 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** Romero, Michele (15 July 1994). ["Split"](https://web.archive.org/web/20240222154907/https://ew.com/article/1994/07/15/split-2/). *[Entertainment Weekly](/source/Entertainment_Weekly)*. Archived from [the original](https://ew.com/article/1994/07/15/split-2/) on 22 February 2024. Retrieved 26 August 2009.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** [Fadele, Dele](/source/Dele_Fadele) (11 June 1994). ["The Division Belles"](https://www.lightfromadeadstar.org/press/Content/Reviews%20-%20New%20Releases/1994-06-11%20-%20NME%20-%20Division%20Belles%20-%20Split%20Review.jpg). *[NME](/source/NME)*. p. 32. Retrieved 1 October 2016.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** Reyes-Kulkarni, Saby (3 May 2016). ["Lush: Origami"](https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/21816-origami/). *[Pitchfork](/source/Pitchfork_(website))*. Retrieved 1 October 2016.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** [Collins, Andrew](/source/Andrew_Collins_(broadcaster)) (July 1994). "Lush: Split". *[Q](/source/Q_(magazine))*. No. 94.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** Evans, Paul (8 September 1994). ["Lush: Split"](https://web.archive.org/web/20070629224606/http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/lush/albums/album/186992/review/5945930/split). *[Rolling Stone](/source/Rolling_Stone)*. Archived from [the original](http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/lush/albums/album/186992/review/5945930/split) on 29 June 2007. Retrieved 26 August 2009.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-select_10-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-select_10-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-select_10-2) [Wilkinson, Roy](/source/Roy_Wilkinson) (July 1994). "Lush: Split". *[Select](/source/Select_(magazine))*. No. 49. p. 84.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** Watts, Peter (October 2023). "Lush: Split". *[Uncut](/source/Uncut_(magazine))*. No. 317. p. 48.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** Malins, Steve (July 1994). "Split Seconds". *[Vox](/source/Vox_(magazine))*. No. 46. p. 104.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** ["The 30 Best Dream Pop Albums"](https://pitchfork.com/features/lists-and-guides/the-30-best-dream-pop-albums/). *[Pitchfork](/source/Pitchfork_(website))*. 16 April 2018. Retrieved 24 April 2018.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-cdliner_14-0)** *Split* (liner notes). [Lush](/source/Lush_(band)). [4AD](/source/4AD). 1994. CAD 4011 CD.{{[cite AV media notes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Cite_AV_media_notes)}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) ([link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_others_in_cite_AV_media_(notes)))

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Scotland1994_15-0)** "[Official Scottish Albums Chart on 29/5/1994 – Top 100](https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/scottish-albums-chart/19940529/40/)". [Official Charts Company](/source/Official_Charts_Company). Retrieved 31 May 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-ac_UK2_16-0)** "[Official Albums Chart on 19/6/1994 – Top 100](https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/albums-chart/19940619/7502/)". [Official Charts Company](/source/Official_Charts_Company). Retrieved 14 May 2018.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** "Independent Albums". *[Music Week](/source/Music_Week)*. 2 July 1994. p. 20.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** ["Billboard 200™"](https://www.billboard.com/charts/billboard-200/1994-07-02/). *[Billboard](/source/Billboard_(magazine))*. 2 July 1994. Retrieved 31 May 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-19)** ["Heatseekers Albums"](https://web.archive.org/web/20190620003358/https://www.billboard.com/charts/heatseekers-albums/1994-07-02). *[Billboard](/source/Billboard_(magazine))*. 2 July 1994. Archived from [the original](https://www.billboard.com/charts/heatseekers-albums/1994-07-02) on 20 June 2019. Retrieved 31 May 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Scotland2023_20-0)** "[Official Scottish Albums Chart on 18/8/2023 – Top 100](https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/scottish-albums-chart/20230818/40/)". [Official Charts Company](/source/Official_Charts_Company). Retrieved 31 May 2025.

v t e Lush Miki Berenyi Emma Anderson Phil King Chris Acland Meriel Barham Steve Rippon Justin Welch Studio albums Scar (mini-album) Spooky Split Lovelife EPs Mad Love Sweetness and Light Black Spring Blind Spot Songs "Nothing Natural" "Ladykillers" "Ciao!" Compilations Gala Ciao! Best of Lush Related articles Lush discography Sing-Sing The Doom Generation Nowhere Splendor

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Split (Lush album)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Split_(Lush_album)) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Split_(Lush_album)?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.