The Death of Randy Fitzsimmons

The album was recorded in a studio owned by ABBA member Benny Anderson in Stockholm. Announced on 2 May 2023, the day also saw the release of the first single "Bogus Operandi". The trademark "suave sound" fizzling with "wild energy" of the song was seen as setting the tone for the whole project. According to Rolling Stone, the album is a "a collection of 12 high-energy punk-ish songs reminiscent of their best work from the early 2000s". According to a press release, the "macabre title" hints at the extended break the band took from recording, described as a "horror story". "Randy Fitzsimmons" refers to the fictional sixth member of the Hives who supposedly served as the band's manager and sole songwriter. The album is the first release to feature bassist The Johan and Only, following the departure of Dr. Matt Destruction in 2013. ==Critical reception==

The Death of Randy Fitzsimmons received a score of 77 out of 100 on review aggregator Metacritic based on 14 critics' reviews, indicating "generally favorable" reception. while Mojo felt that "over 12 mostly blueprint-hugging songs returns diminish, but scuzzy beat-box disco outrider 'What Did I Ever Do to You?' is great". ==Track listing==

The Hives • Chris Dangerous – drums • Howlin' Pelle Almqvist – vocals • The Johan and Only – bass guitar • Nicholaus Arson – guitar • Vigilante Carlstroem – guitar Additional contributors • Patrik Berger – production • Robin Schmidt – mastering • Pelle Gunnerfeldt – mixing • Jonas Kullhammar – saxophone (tracks 5, 6) • Markus Krunegård – background vocals (6) ==Charts==