By Default

For other uses of "default", see Default.

By Default is the fourth studio album by British rock band Band of Skulls, released on 27 May 2016 through BMG as the band's first release by a major label.^[4] The album was the last album to feature drummer Matt Hayward before his departure in 2017.

By Default
Studio album by Band of Skulls
Released	27 May 2016 (2016-05-27)
Studio	Rockfield Studios, Wales[1]
Genre	Blues rock[2] dance-rock[3]
Length	66:16
Label	BMG
Producer	Gil Norton
Band of Skulls chronology
Himalayan (2014) By Default (2016) Love Is All You Love (2019)
Singles from By Default
"Killer" Released: 10 March 2016 "So Good" Released: 28 April 2016 "Bodies" Released: 19 May 2016 "In Love by Default" Released: 25 May 2016 "Embers" Released: 25 May 2016

Reception

Professional ratings

Aggregate scores
Source	Rating
Metacritic	57/100[5]
Review scores
Source	Rating
Classic Rock	[6]
Drowned in Sound	[7]
Exclaim!	[3]
The Independent	[8]
musicOMH	[9]

By Default has received mixed to negative reviews from critics with many criticising the album of being forgettable and lacking excitement. Drowned in Sound were especially critical of the album's lyrics, which were described as "misogynistic" and making "fuck all sense".^[7] However, in a positive review, Classic Rock Magazine praised the album's use of synthesizers and wide variety of influences including Iggy Pop and T Rex.

Track listing

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Black Magic"	2:49
2.	"Back of Beyond"	3:09
3.	"Killer"	3:28
4.	"Bodies"	3:13
5.	"Tropical Disease"	3:18
6.	"So Good"	3:23
7.	"This is My Fix"	3:47
8.	"Little Mamma"	3:19
9.	"Embers"	4:09
10.	"In Love by Default"	3:43
11.	"Erounds"	3:47
12.	"Something"	3:01

Personnel

• Russell Marsden – vocals, guitar^[10]
• Emma Richardson – bass guitar, vocals
• Matt Hayward – drums
• Tom Coyne – mastering
• Gil Norton – production, mixing

Charts

Chart performance for By Default

Chart (2016)	PeaK position
Australian Albums (ARIA)[11]	54
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)[12]	120
UK Albums (OCC)[13]	41