Reptilians (Starfucker album)

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Reptilians is the third studio album by the American band Starfucker. Released on March 8, 2011, by Polyvinyl Records, the 40-minute indie electronic album moves away from the lighter feel of their 2009 release Jupiter while still keeping a danceable edge. The twelve tracks dive into themes of death and the end of the world, but the music itself remains energetic and vibrant. The title Reptilians comes from conspiracy theories about an alien reptilian race, a concept Hodges found fitting as the record explores big, existential ideas. The album also includes samples from British-American philosopher Alan Watts.

Recording, production, and concept
- Producers: Josh Hodges and Jacob Portrait.
- Most of the material was written on tour with Hodges using a laptop and a MIDI keyboard, with additional writing at home; an analog drum machine was used in the process.
- The album was completed on November 18, 2010.
- Hodges has explained that the shift away from Jupiter’s light mood was about growing as a band and evolving their sound.
- The lyrics, largely written by Hodges, touch on death and the end of the world—drawn partly from his grandmother’s passing—while the music aims to avoid a depressing mood. The album also features samples of Alan Watts, aligning the music with its philosophical themes.
- Cover art was created by Sohale Kevin Darouian, aiming for a retro, old‑science‑fiction look reminiscent of 70s sci‑fi book covers.

Release, singles, and reception
- Two singles were released from the album: Julius (September 14, 2010) with Helium Muffin as the B-side, and Bury Us Alive (January 6, 2011).
- Reptilians reached the Billboard Top Heatseekers chart at number 26.
- It received generally favorable reviews. Critics highlighted the band’s growth and the album’s replay value. Metacritic cites an average score of 71/100 from twelve critics. Some reviews praised its energy and adventurous spirit, while others noted a lack of maturity or repeated synth-pop formulas. Highlights included strong praise from The A.V. Club and The Aquarian Weekly, with other outlets offering mixed assessments.

Deluxe edition, reissues, and anniversary
- In 2012, the unrefined demo material was released as Heaven’s Youth, presenting earlier versions of Reptilians’ songs.
- On March 8, 2021, Reptilians was reissued as a remastered deluxe edition to celebrate the album’s 10-year anniversary. This edition includes digitally enhanced versions of the original twelve songs, two bonus tracks from the previous Deluxe Edition, and two newly added tracks from the same period (including Helium Muffin, a known B-side from Julius). The remaster was done by Mile Nolte at Eureka Mastering, and Darouian again contributed updated cover artwork.

Track listing
- Born
- Julius
- Bury Us Alive
- Mystery Cloud
- Death as a Fetish
- Astoria
- Reptilians
- The White of Noon
- Hungry Ghosts
- Mona Vegas
- Millions
- Quality Time

Credits
- All lyrics by Joshua Hodges; all music by Starfucker.

Notes
- The album’s sound blends indie rock with electronic and synth-pop elements, balancing upbeat grooves with darker, existential lyrics. It captures a sense of theatricality and danceable energy that defined Starfucker’s evolving direction during this period.