FYI.

This story is over 5 years old.

Music

'Science Fiction' Is Already Brand New's First Number One Album

It's lit (me up).

Brand New's surprise comeback album (and possible curtain call) Science Fiction is as haunted and engrossing an album as you'd expect from the band. It's not without its hopeful spots, but it's still full of existential terror. Dark works have a tendency to resonate, though, and Science Fiction has now achieved the milestone of being Brand New's first number one album.

According to Billboard, the album is projected to sell 55,000 equivalent units for its first week, becoming the first indie-label album this year to top the chart. This is nothing to sneeze at, especially for a project with virtually no publicity and an almost anti-climactic release. You could safely chalk this up to Brand New's fervent, cultish fanbase, which has probably only grown in numbers and intensity as a) "emo revival" bands continually cite the Long Island quartet as a touchstone and b) 2006's The Devil and God Are Raging Inside Me cements its reputation as one of the decade's most enduring and influential albums. The anticipation for this release was tangible even without a rollout, and the fans responded in kind.

It's worth it to note that Brand New's highest-charting album prior was 2009's Daisy, which hit number six. They were on the way up anyways, but it's still remarkable that the band's eight-year absence from LPs only bolstered the hype. If this is indeed Brand New's final album, then it's a hell of a win to bow out on.

Phil remembers gasping the first time hearing the chorus of "Sowing Season." He's on Twitter.