Every Kingdom Explained

Every Kingdom is the debut studio album by the English singer-songwriter Ben Howard. It was released in the United Kingdom on 30 September 2011 as a digital download, CD, LP, and 200-copy limited edition cassette by Island Records. It reached a peak chart position of number four in the UK Albums Chart on 24 February 2013 following his success at the Brit Awards that week.^[1] The songs on the album were written by Ben Howard and produced by Chris Bond. The cover art was designed by Owen Tozer, based on photography by Mickey Smith and Roddy Bow.^[2]

The song "Old Pine" is the music video version of the original found on the extended play (EP) Old Pine (2011). A remix of the song by the art rock band Everything Everything was released by Howard as a single on 20 July 2012.^[3] The songs "The Wolves" and "These Waters" are re-recordings of the original versions found on the EP These Waters (2009). The song "Keep Your Head Up" is a re-recording of the original version found on the EP Games in the Dark (2009). The song "Black Flies" was released on 21 April 2012 as a 100-copy limited edition LP as part of the 2012 edition of Secret 7", each copy with different cover art.

The song "Black Flies" was featured in the 2017 Square Enix and Deck Nine episodic adventure game s fourth, bonus episode as the ending song of the episode.

The album was nominated for the 2012 Mercury Prize.^[4]

Singles

• "The Wolves" is the first single from the album. It was released in the United Kingdom on 3 June 2011 and re-released on 23 February 2012. It reached a peak chart position of 70 on the UK Singles Chart.
• "Keep Your Head Up" is the second single from the album. It was released in the United Kingdom on 26 August 2011. It reached a peak chart position of 46 on the UK Singles Chart.
• "The Fear" is the third single from the album. It was released in the United Kingdom on 12 October 2011. It reached a peak chart position of 58 on the UK Singles Chart.
• "Only Love" is the fourth single from the album. It was released in the United Kingdom on 4 May 2012. It reached a peak chart position of 9 on the UK Singles Chart.
• "Old Pine" is the fifth single from the album. It was released in the United Kingdom on 20 July 2012.

Personnel

Credits are adapted from the Every Kingdom liner notes.^[5]

Musicians

• Ben Howard – vocals; guitar; additional guitars; melodica; percussion
• Chris Bond – backing vocals; guitars; bass; double bass; drums; percussion; keyboards; accordion
• India Bourne – backing vocals; cello; keyboards; ukulele; bass

Production and artwork

• Chris Bond – producer; engineer
• Darren Lawson – engineer
• Jason Howes – engineer
• Cenzo Townshend – mixing
• Mike Crossey – mixing
• Jonathan Gilmore – assistant mix engineer
• Robin Schmidt – mastering
• Owen Tozer – art direction; design
• Mickey Smith – cover photograph
• Owen Tozer – live photograph
• Roddy Bow – all other photography

Charts

Year-end charts

Chart (2012)	Position
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)[8]	24
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)[9]	17
UK Albums (OCC)[10]	28

Chart (2013)	Position
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)[11]	68
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)[12]	38
UK Albums (OCC)[13]	38

Decade-end charts

Release history

Country	Release date	Format	Label
United Kingdom	30 September 2011[17]	Digital download, CD, LP, cassette	Island
United States	6 November 2012	Digital download, CD	Communion

Notes and References

1. Web site: Ben Howard wins best British breakthrough act and best male solo artist at Brit Awards 2013. . 24 February 2013 . 20 February 2013 .
2. http://www.roddybow.com/index.php/ben-howard---every-kingdom/ Roddy Bow - Every Kingdom
3. https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/old-pine-everything-everything/id542917925 "Old Pine (Everything Everything Remix)"
4. http://www.mercuryprize.com/aoty/ Mercury Prize - 2012 Albums of the Year
5. Every Kingdom. Ben Howard. 2011. Island Records. CD booklet.
6. Web site: Australian iTunes Chart. iTunesCharts.net. 21 January 2013.
7. Web site: End Of Year Chart 2011. 12 July 2020. OfficialChartsCompany.
8. Web site: Jaaroverzichten 2012. Ultratop. 12 July 2020.
9. Web site: Jaaroverzichten – Album 2012. dutchcharts.nl. 12 July 2020.
10. Web site: End of Year Album Chart Top 100 – 2012. Official Charts Company. 12 July 2020.
11. Web site: Jaaroverzichten 2013. Ultratop. 12 July 2020.
12. Web site: Jaaroverzichten – Album 2013. dutchcharts.nl. 12 July 2020.
13. Web site: End of Year Album Chart Top 100 – 2013. Official Charts Company. 12 July 2020.
14. Web site: End of Year Album Chart Top 100 – 2014. Official Charts Company. 12 July 2020.
15. Web site: Jaaroverzichten 2022. Ultratop. nl. 14 January 2023.
16. Web site: The UK's Official Top 100 biggest albums of the decade. Official Charts Company. Copsey. Rob. 11 December 2019. 12 December 2019.
17. https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/every-kingdom/id453454953 Every Kingdom