| 4:23 | ||||
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | April 30, 2023 (2023-04-30) | |||
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| Length | 42:32 | |||
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| Producer |
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| Mike Dean chronology | ||||
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4:23 is the fourth studio album by American record producerMike Dean. It was released on April 30, 2023 by Dean's label, M.W.A Music andImperial Records. Dean and Canadian singer-songwriterthe Weeknd served as executive producers, while production was handled by the two alongside American filmmakerSam Levinson and record producer Tommy Rush. The Weeknd also makes several uncredited vocal performances throughout the album.[2][3]4:23 is the fourth installment of the4:20 series, following4:20 (2020),4:22 (2021), andSmoke State 42222 (2022).
Mike Dean first teased work on a follow up to his previous4:20 installments in April 2023 on social media. During the 2023Coachella festival, it was revealed that Mike Dean would work withthe Weeknd on songs for the new installment. Shortly after it was revealed that the Weeknd would executive produce the album, titled4:23.[3]
Mike Dean and the Weeknd previously worked together on the Weeknd's 2015 albumBeauty Behind the Madness and theFifty Shades of Greysoundtrack. In 2022, Mike Dean remixed the Weeknd'sDawn FM single "Starry Eyes" and supported the Weeknd on hisAfter Hours til Dawn tour. They continued their collaboration on thesoundtrack to the 2023 TV seriesThe Idol together withSam Levinson.[2][4]
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Pitchfork | 5.0/10[5] |
In a positive review forVariety, A.D. Amorosi highlights the coherence of4:23 as "equal parts steely sci-fi epic soundtrack and spaced-out dream-pop", while describing the Weeknd's lyrical content matter as "(willingly thrilling) bummer of the summer".[3]
Reviewing4:23 negatively forPitchfork, Dylan Green draws similarities to the video game franchiseHalo and the science fiction filmBlade Runner, while describing4:23 as generally "drab and soulless as a wall of code".[5]
Credits adapted fromTidal.[6] All tracks written and produced byMike Dean, except where noted.
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Once Upon a Time" |
|
| 1:36 |
| 2. | "Artificial Intelligence" |
|
| 2:55 |
| 3. | "Defame Moi" |
|
| 1:46 |
| 4. | "More Coke!!" |
|
| 2:52 |
| 5. | "Music for the Future" | 4:28 | ||
| 6. | "Rewind Life" |
| 7:00 | |
| 7. | "Goodbye Earth" | 2:56 | ||
| 8. | "Hello Space" | 3:15 | ||
| 9. | "Mechanical Tarantula" | 5:05 | ||
| 10. | "118k" | 3:37 | ||
| 11. | "Earth to Michael" |
| 2:36 | |
| 12. | "Emotionless" |
|
| 2:09 |
| 13. | "Electric Sheep" | 2:16 | ||
| Total length: | 42:32 | |||