1x1 (song)
"1x1" (pronounced "one by one") is a song by British rock band Bring Me the Horizon featuring British rock duo Nova Twins. The song was produced by the band's vocalist Oliver Sykes and keyboardist Jordan Fish, who also co-wrote it with Nova Twins. It is featured as the seventh track on the group's 2020 commercial release Post Human: Survival Horror. Although the song was not released as a single, it charted at number 55 on the UK Singles Chart, number three UK Rock & Metal Singles Chart, and number 30 on Billboard's Hot Rock & Alternative Songs.
"1x1" | |
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Song by Bring Me the Horizon featuring Nova Twins | |
from the album Post Human: Survival Horror | |
Released | 30 October 2020 |
Recorded | 2020 |
Studio |
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Genre | Nu metal |
Length | 3:30 |
Label | |
Songwriter(s) |
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Producer(s) |
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Lyric video | |
"1x1" on YouTube |
Background and recording
While Sykes was quarantined during the COVID-19 lockdowns in 2020, he frequently listened to rock duo Nova Twins.[2] Members Amy Love and Georgia South had also quarantined separately following the cancellation of their shows in March 2020. Some time after, the duo were contacted by Jason Aalon Butler—owner of Nova Twins' label 333 Wreckords—who told them that Sykes and Fish wanted to talk to them. The following day, Sykes messaged them on Instagram and sent "1x1" through Dropbox. As Sykes needed the track finished within the week, Nova Twins recorded and returned their parts in two days, with South adding "a few weird bass noises on there".[3]
Composition and lyrics
"1x1" has been described as a nu metal song.[4][5] In an interview with NME, vocalist Oliver Sykes said that "1x1" was written about "the guilt that we as a society carry for what we've done to other species and ethnicities and other genders", while also taking inspiration from his past history and struggles with drug addiction.[2]
Critical reception
Along with the three other collaborative songs from Post Human: Survival Horror, Andrew Trendell of NME credited "1x1" with keeping the project "fresh",[4] while Laviea Thomas of Gigwise also praised the "exciting" collaboration.[6] Callum Foulds of The Line of Best Fit highlighted the "excellent guest spots" on "1x1" and "Kingslayer", and complimented both songs for "paying homage to earlier sounds with comforting riffs that reach new mountainous heights".[7] Elena Wills of Alternative Press praised the track's "eclectic blend of metal and radio pop" in an article about unexpected musical collaborations in 2020.[8] Conversely, Josh Gray of Clash labelled "1x1" as one of the "obvious downsides" to the group's reincorporation of earlier musical styles, calling it "conservative, Linkin Park-indebted radio fodder" along with "Teardrops".[9]
Personnel
Credits adapted from the album's liner notes.[1]
Bring Me the Horizon
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Additional personnel
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Charts
Chart (2020) | Peak position |
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UK Singles (OCC)[10] | 55 |
UK Rock and Metal (OCC)[11] | 3 |
US Hot Rock & Alternative Songs (Billboard)[12] | 30 |
References
- Post Human: Survival Horror (Media notes). Bring Me the Horizon. Sony Music and RCA Records. 2020.CS1 maint: others (link)
- Trendell, Andrew (30 October 2020). "On The Cover - Bring Me The Horizon: "I'm like everyone else: confused, scared and angry"". NME. BandLab Technologies. Retrieved 26 January 2021.
- Alexander, Phil (4 December 2020). "Nova Twins On Their BMTH Collab: "Oli Sykes DM'd Us The Song"". Kerrang!. Wasted Talent. Retrieved 26 January 2021.
- Trendell, Andrew (30 October 2020). "Bring Me The Horizon – 'Post Human: Survival Horror': cyber-punk energy meets lockdown metal". NME. BandLab Technologies. Retrieved 21 January 2021.
- Ruskell, Nick (30 October 2020). "EP Review: Bring Me The Horizon – Post Human: Survival Horror". Kerrang!. Wasted Talent. Retrieved 21 January 2021.
- Thomas, Laviea (30 October 2020). "EP Review: Bring Me The Horizon - Post Human: Survival Horror". Gigwise. Retrieved 26 January 2021.
- Foulds, Callum (28 October 2020). "Bring Me The Horizon get both fun and bleak on an EP befitting these turbulent times". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved 27 January 2021.
- Wills, Elena (1 December 2020). "Here Are 10 of the Most Unexpected Collabs to Come from 2020". Alternative Press. Retrieved 2 February 2021.
- Gray, Josh (26 October 2020). "Bring Me The Horizon - POST HUMAN: SURVIVAL HORROR". Clash. Retrieved 26 January 2021.
- "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 25 January 2021.
- "Official Rock & Metal Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 25 January 2021.
- "Bring Me The Horizon Chart History (Hot Rock & Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 25 January 2021.