Late Developers Explained

Late Developers is the twelfth studio album by the Scottish indie pop band Belle and Sebastian, released on 13 January 2023 by Matador Records.^{[1] [2]}

Background

On 5 January 2023, the Scottish group posted a 10-second clip on their official website and social accounts, as an announcement teaser.^[3] A few days later, on 9 January 2023, Belle and Sebastian announced their new studio album Late Developers, along with the first single "I Don't Know What You See in Me".^{[4] [5]} The official music video for the single was released on 11 January 2023.^[6]

Critical reception

Late Developers was met with "generally favorable" reviews from critics. At Metacritic, which assigns a weighted average rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream publications, this release received an average score of 79, based on 15 reviews.

At Clash, writer Robin Murray described the album as a "fine piece of pop whimsy, delivered with self-deprecating panache."

Personnel

Belle and Sebastian

• Stuart Murdoch – performance, costume design, photography
• Stevie Jackson – performance
• Sarah Martin – performance, props
• Chris Geddes – performance
• Richard Colburn – performance
• Bobby Kildea – performance
• David McGowan – performance (all tracks), brass arrangements (track 6)

Additional musicians

• Ryan Quigley – trumpet, flugelhorn (all tracks), brass arrangements (1–5, 7–11)
• Paul Towndrow – tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone
• Michael Owers – trombone, bass trombone
• Leon McCrary – backing vocals, vocal and choir arrangement
• Charles Henderson-McCrary – backing vocals, vocal and choir arrangement
• Anjolee Williams – backing vocals
• Olivia Walker – backing vocals
• Patience Henderson-McCrary – backing vocals
• Sarah Wilson – cello (4)
• Brian McNeill – keyboard programming (8)
• Pete Ferguson – vocals, keyboards (8)
• Kevin Burleigh – percussion (9)
• Tracyanne Campbell – vocals (10)

Technical

• Kevin Burleigh – mixing (tracks 1,), engineering (1, 9)
• Brian McNeill – mixing, engineering (2–6, 9–11)
• Matt Wiggins – mixing, engineering (7)
• Kyle Startup – mixing (8)
• Frank Arkwright – mastering
• Pete Ferguson – engineering (8)
• Tony Doogan – engineering (9)

Visuals

• Emma Durnan – sleeve design
• Hristian Valev – cover model
• Marisa Privitera Murdoch – photography assistance

Notes and References

1. Web site: Belle and Sebastian Releasing New Album, Late Developers, This Friday. Pitchfork. Arcand. Rob. 9 January 2023. 27 March 2023.
2. Web site: Belle and Sebastian announce new album with lead single "I Don't Know What You See In Me". The Line of Best Fit. Kenneally. Cerys. 9 January 2023. 27 March 2023.
3. Web site: Belle and Sebastian Post Mysterious Teaser. Exclaim!. Hudson. Alex. 6 January 2023. 27 March 2023.
4. Web site: Belle & Sebastian talk surprise album 'Late Developers' and "90s power ballad" 'I Don't Know What You See In Me'. NME. Clarke. Patrick. 9 January 2023. 27 March 2023.
5. Web site: Belle and Sebastian to Release Surprise Album 'Late Developers' This Week. Exclaim!. Hudson. Alex. 9 January 2023. 27 March 2023.
6. Web site: Belle and Sebastian – I Don't Know What You See in Me. YouTube. 11 January 2023. 27 March 2023.