Air for Free
Air for Free is the eighth studio album by Relient K, released on July 22, 2016, through Mono vs Stereo. The album's lead single, "Bummin'", was released on April 13, 2016. It is the first album since "Five Score and Seven Years Ago" (2007) to feature drummer Dave Douglas, though he is not credited as an official member. It also features the return of producer Mark Lee Townsend following his absence on "Collapsible Lung" (2013). Release and promotion. A week before its official release, "Air for Free" was streamed in its entirety on Pandora Radio. In  support of the album, Relient K played an album-release show in their home state of Ohio on July 23, 2016, with Cardboard Kids opening, and later embarked on the Looking for America Tour with Switchfoot. The tour ran from September 16, beginning in Denver, Colorado, through November 26, concluding in San Francisco, California. Commercial performance. "Air for Free" debuted at its peak of No. 44 on the "Billboard" 200 and also No. 1 album on the Top Christian Albums Chart, selling 9,000 copies in its opening week. Critical reception. The album was met with critical acclaim. Writing for Jesus  Freak Hideout, Michael Weaver states, ""Air for Free" could be described as what "Collapsible Lung" should've been"; in a similar vein, Cortney Warner declares that the album "proves the band is far from 'has been' status, and continues to create fresh, thoughtful music that anyone can enjoy." In his review for CM Addict, Michael Tackett says, ""Air for Free" is lyrically and musically a welcome return to form for Relient K." Writing for AllMusic, Neil Z. Yeung called the album a "lush and joyful affair" featuring a "sunny, creative blend of indie rock and contemporary pop." Personnel. Credits adapted  from the album's liner notes. Relient K Additional musicians Production Release history. Sources: Amazon.com, SMLXL Vinyl