In Conflict

In Conflict
Studio album by Owen Pallett
Released	May 27, 2014 (2014-05-27)
Recorded	Hotel2Tango, Sonovox Studio[1]
Genre	Baroque pop, electronic
Length	49:36
Label	Domino/Secret City
Producer	Owen Pallett
Owen Pallett chronology
A Swedish Love Story EP (2010) In Conflict (2014) Island (2020)

In Conflict is the fourth studio album by Canadian indie rock artist Owen Pallett, released May 27, 2014 on Domino Records and Secret City Records.^[2] The album features English ambient musician Brian Eno, who plays guitar and synthesizers as well as providing vocals.^[2][3] It was released on standard vinyl and CD as well as a limited edition double heavyweight LP. It was recorded by Mark Lawson.^[1] Canadian and Japanese special editions include exclusive bonus tracks.^[4]

Critical reception

Professional ratings

Aggregate scores
Source	Rating
AnyDecentMusic?	7.6/10[5]
Metacritic	82/100[6]
Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[7]
The A.V. Club	B+[8]
Consequence of Sound	A−[9]
The Guardian	[10]
NME	8/10[11]
Pitchfork	8.0/10[12]
Q	[13]
Rolling Stone	[14]
Spin	8/10[15]
Uncut	8/10[16]

At Rolling Stone, Ned Raggett stated that "In Conflict is a pop treasure that's also a stirring, personal work of art."^[14] Sasha Geffen of Consequence of Sound wrote that "In Conflict is ominous, gloomy, and marked with some of the most playful arrangements Pallett’s laid to date."^[9] James Christopher Monger of AllMusic rated the album four-and-a-half stars, writing that the music contains a mixture of the "sugary opulence" reminiscent of Kishi Bashi and Jónsi and the "chilly refinement" akin to Björk circa 1997's Homogenic time period.

The album was a shortlisted nominee for the 2014 Polaris Music Prize.^[17]

Track listing

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1.	"I Am Not Afraid"	Owen Pallett[7]	4:15
2.	"In Conflict"	R. Gordon / Owen Pallett / Matt Smith	4:13
3.	"On a Path"	Owen Pallett	4:33
4.	"Song for Five & Six"	Owen Pallett	4:31
5.	"The Secret Seven"	R. Gordon / Owen Pallett / Matt Smith	5:16
6.	"Chorale"	Owen Pallett	3:53
7.	"The Passions"	Owen Pallett	3:54
8.	"The Sky Behind the Flag"	R. Gordon / Owen Pallett / Matt Smith	4:22
9.	"→ (1)"	Owen Pallett	0:46
10.	"The Riverbed"	R. Gordon / Owen Pallett / Matt Smith	3:44
11.	"Infernal Fantasy"	R. Gordon / Owen Pallett / Matt Smith	3:22
12.	"Soldiers Rock"	R. Gordon / Owen Pallett / Matt Smith	4:56
13.	"→ (2)"	Owen Pallett	1:51
Total length:			49:36

Domino Double LP bonus track

• "Bridle & Bit"

Personnel

• Owen Pallett – vocals, violin, viola, piano, ARP 2600, Nord G2X, Roland Juno-60, MiniMoog
• Matt Smith – bass, vocals
• Robbie Gordon – drums
• Brian Eno – synthesizers, guitar, vocals
• Thomas Gill – guitar
• Stef Schneider – percussion
• Daniela Gesundheit – vocals
• Czech FILMharmonic Orchestra

References

1. Minsker, Evan (6 February 2014). "Owen Pallett Announces New Album In Conflict Featuring Brian Eno, Plus Tour". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved 7 February 2014.
2. "Owen Pallett announces release of new album 'In Conflict'". NME. 6 February 2014. Retrieved 7 February 2014.
3. McGovern, Kyle (6 February 2014). "Owen Pallett Preps Brian Eno-Assisted Album 'In Conflict' for Spring Release". Spin. Retrieved 7 February 2014.
4. "In Conflict (new album) – Owen Pallett fansite". Alpentine.com. Retrieved 2014-07-14.
5. "In Conflict by Owen Pallett reviews". AnyDecentMusic?. Retrieved December 19, 2019.
6. "Reviews for In Conflict by Owen Pallett". Metacritic. Retrieved September 23, 2014.
7. Monger, James Christopher. "In Conflict – Owen Pallett". AllMusic. Retrieved May 26, 2014.
8. VanDerWerff, Emily (May 27, 2014). "Owen Pallett aims for the thirtysomething gut". The A.V. Club. Retrieved October 6, 2019.
9. Geffen, Sasha (May 27, 2014). "Owen Pallett – In Conflict". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved May 23, 2014.
10. Petridis, Alexis (December 18, 2014). "2014 albums we missed: Owen Pallett – In Conflict review". The Guardian. Retrieved May 27, 2014.
11. Beaumont, Mark (May 23, 2014). "Owen Pallett – 'In Conflict'". NME. Archived from the original on May 31, 2014. Retrieved September 18, 2018.
12. Greene, Jayson (May 26, 2014). "Owen Pallett: In Conflict". Pitchfork. Retrieved May 26, 2014.
13. "Owen Pallett: In Conflict". Q (335): 117. June 2014.
14. Raggett, Ned (June 5, 2014). "In Conflict". Rolling Stone. No. 1210. p. 72. ISSN 0035-791X. Retrieved May 23, 2014.
15. Soto, Alfred (May 26, 2014). "Owen Pallett's Avant Chamber-Pop Plumbs New Depths on 'In Conflict'". Spin. Retrieved September 18, 2018.
16. "Owen Pallett: In Conflict". Uncut (206): 77. July 2014.
17. "Arcade Fire, Drake, Shad make Polaris Music Prize short list". CTV News, July 15, 2014.