Only For Dolphins
studio
ArtistAction Bronson
CoverOnly for Dolphins.jpg
ReleasedSeptember 25, 2020
GenreAlternative hip-hop
LabelLoma Vista · Concord
ProducerAction Bronson (also exec.) · The Alchemist · Antman Wonder · Budgie · Daringer · DJ Muggs · Harry Fraud · Samiyam · Tommy Mas · Yung Mehico
Prev year2019
Next year2022

Only for Dolphins is the fifth studio album by American rapper Action Bronson. It was released on September 25, 2020, through Loma Vista Recordings and Concord Records. Production was handled by multiple producers, including Bronson himself, The Alchemist, DJ Muggs, Harry Fraud and Daringer. The cover and interior art were hand-painted by Bronson. The album's title is a reference to a lyric from the song "Mt. Etna" from his previous album, White Bronco, where Bronson raps, "my next album's only for dolphins".[1]

Release and promotion

The lead single of the album, "Latin Grammys", was released on July 30, 2020, alongside a music video that features Action Bronson's face superimposed over bodybuilder Magnús Ver Magnússon's in various scenes of the 1995 World's Strongest Man competition.[2] Various media outlets also compared the video's imagery to Bronson's publicized weight loss at the time.[3][2] "Golden Eye" was released on September 9, with a music video for the single releasing later alongside the album.[4][5] The third and final single, "Mongolia" was released on September 16.[6]

The album's release coincided with an array of merchandise and collaborations. On the day of the album's release, Bronson's online store offered stuffed dolphins and beach towels alongside physical copies of the album.[5][7][8] Morgenstern's Finest Ice Cream (who Bronson had previously collaborated with for his series Fuck, That's Delicious) released several Only For Dolphins themed frozen desserts in promotion of the album.[9] On October 13, olive oil marketplace Grove and Vine released an Only For Dolphins themed olive oil.[10][11] Action Bronson has also announced that he was personally bottling and releasing a fragrance named "Splash", based on the album's track of the same name.[12]

Reception

Dean Van Nguyen of Pitchfork rated the album 6.7 out of 10, saying: "If nothing else, the album is a triumph of Bronson's omnivorous musical taste, starting with the self-produced opener 'Capoeira'—one of the best instrumentals he has ever spit over".[13]

Track listing

Credits adapted from liner notes and Tidal.[14][15]

Chart

Chart (2020)Peak
position
Top Album Sales (Billboard)[16]53

References

  1. ^ "Stream Action Bronson's New Track "Mongolia" f/ Meyhem Lauren and Hologram". Complex. Retrieved 2021-01-12.
  2. ^ "Action Bronson Is a Professional Bodybuilder in New "Latin Grammys" Music Video". HYPEBEAST. Retrieved 2021-01-12.
  3. ^ Powell, Jon (2020-07-30). "Action Bronson returns with hilarious video for "Latin Grammys"". REVOLT. Retrieved 2021-01-12.
  4. ^ "Listen to Action Bronson's 'Golden Eye' from upcoming album 'Only For Dolphins'". NME | Music, Film, TV, Gaming & Pop Culture News. 2020-09-09. Retrieved 2021-01-12.
  5. ^ "Stream Action Bronson's New Album 'Only for Dolphins'". Complex. Retrieved 2021-01-12.
  6. ^ "Action Bronson reveals funky new single "Mongolia": Stream". Consequence of Sound. 2020-09-16. Retrieved 2021-01-12.
  7. ^ "ACTION BRONSON | ONLY FOR DOLPHINS | Action Bronson - Only for Dolphins Plush Toy". Action Bronson. Retrieved 2021-01-12.
  8. ^ "ACTION BRONSON | ONLY FOR DOLPHINS | Action Bronson - Only for Dolphins Beach Towel". Action Bronson. Retrieved 2021-01-12.
  9. ^ "Morgenstern's Finest Ice Cream and Action Bronson Reunite For 'Only for Dolphins' Release". HYPEBEAST. Retrieved 2021-01-12.
  10. ^ Squad, SOHH. "Action Bronson Launches Limited Edition Olive Oil". SOHH.com. Retrieved 2021-01-12.
  11. ^ "Action Bronson Collaboration with Grove and Vine Limited Edition Olive Oil". Grove and Vine. Retrieved 2021-01-12.
  12. ^ Sayles, Justin (2020-09-25). "How Action Bronson Lost 100 Pounds but Kept His Appetite for Life". The Ringer. Retrieved 2021-01-12.
  13. ^ Van Nguyen, Dean (September 30, 2020). "Action Bronson: Only for Dolphins". Pitchfork. Retrieved April 13, 2024.
  14. ^ Only For Dolphins (Media notes). Action Bronson. Loma Vista Recordings. 2020.
  15. ^ "Only For Dolphins / Action Bronson". listen.tidal.com. Retrieved 2021-01-12.
  16. ^ "Action Bronson – Top Album Sales (Billboard)". Billboard