Overview
The discography of Grimes comprises the recorded output of Canadian musician, producer, and visual artist Claire Elise Boucher (born January 9, 1988), who performs under the stage name Grimes. Emerging from the Montreal underground electronic scene in the late 2000s, she has released five studio albums, several EPs/mixtapes, numerous singles, and associated music videos. Her work is noted for its blend of experimental electronic production, pop sensibilities, and eclectic visual aesthetics.
Studio albums
| Year | Title | Label | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Geidi Primes | Arbutus Records | Debut full‑length; originally released as a limited‑run album/mixtape. |
| 2010 | Halfaxa | Arbutus Records | Second album; further development of ethereal synth textures. |
| 2012 | Visions | 4AD | Breakthrough release; featured singles “Oblivion” and “Genesis.” |
| 2015 | Art Angels | 4AD | Pop‑oriented album; included “Flesh without Blood” and “Kill V. Maim.” |
| 2020 | Miss Anthropocene | 4AD | Conceptually centered on climate change; singles include “Violence” and “Delete.” |
Extended plays, mixtapes and compilations
| Year | Title | Format | Label | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Grimes (self‑titled EP) | EP | Independent (digital) | Early experimental recordings. |
| 2010 | Geidi Primes | EP/mixtape | Arbutus Records | Sometimes classified as an EP; released concurrently with the full album version. |
| 2010 | Halfaxa | EP | Arbutus Records | Preceded the full album of the same name. |
| 2013 | Darkbloom (with d) | EP | Self‑released | Collaboration with d (Liam Howe). |
| 2022 | Dream Weapon | EP | 4AD | Produced with Baby Keem and A. G. Cook; preceded the single “Shinigami.” |
| 2020 | Miss Anthropocene – Bonus Tracks | Compilation | 4AD | Digital collection of B‑sides and remixes. |
Singles (lead artist)
Selected notable singles
- “Genesis” (2012) – Visions lead single, charted in the UK Indie chart.
- “Oblivion” (2012) – Accompanied a widely discussed music video directed by Grimes.
- “Go” (2014) – Non‑album single featuring a futuristic R&B style.
- “Flesh without Blood” (2015) – Lead single from Art Angels.
- “Kill V. Maim” (2015) – Follow‑up single, received airplay on alternative radio.
- “California” (2015) – Promotional single with an animated video.
- “Violence” (2019) – Lead single for the Miss Anthropocene era.
- “Delete” (2020) – Second single from Miss Anthropocene.
- “Shinigami” (2022) – Lead single from the Dream Weapon EP.
In total, Grimes has released over 30 singles as a lead artist, including promotional and digital‑only releases.
Promotional and featured appearances
Grimes has contributed guest vocals and production to tracks by artists such as Janelle Monáe (“Sphinx” 2023), Brats (“It’s All Right” 2019), and Yung Lean (“Blue Angel” 2016). She also provided a remix for the song “Play” by BTS (2022) and has appeared on assorted soundtracks, albeit these contributions are cataloged separately from her primary discography.
Music videos
Grimes has directed or co‑directed the majority of her visual output, integrating CGI, stop‑motion, and performance art. Notable videos include:
- “Oblivion” (2012) – Black‑and‑white desert imagery.
- “Genesis” (2012) – Featuring open‑field choreography.
- “Flesh without Blood” (2015) – Futuristic sci‑fi narrative.
- “Kill V. Maim” (2015) – Featuring choreographed fighting sequences.
- “Violence” (2019) – Visuals co‑directed with Dave Gibson.
Commercial performance and critical reception
- Visions (2012) reached No. 1 on the US Billboard Dance/Electronic Albums chart and received a Grammy nomination for Best Dance/Electronic Album.
- Art Angels (2015) peaked at No. 13 on the US Billboard 200 and was listed on numerous year‑end “Best of 2015” lists.
- Miss Anthropocene (2020) debuted at No. 3 on the UK Albums Chart, marking Grimes’s highest UK placement to date.
Overall, Grimes’s releases have sold several hundred thousand copies worldwide, with streaming figures exceeding one billion cumulative plays across major platforms by 2024.
References
- AllMusic. “Grimes – Artist Biography.” Accessed March 2024.
- Billboard. “Grimes Chart History.” Accessed February 2024.
- 4AD Records. “Grimes Discography.” Official label releases, 2024 archive.
- “Grammy Awards 2013: Complete Winners List.” Grammy.com, 2013.
- Official Charts Company. “Grimes – Artist Chart History.” Accessed January 2024.
The above information reflects data available up to June 2024 and is compiled from publicly released record label announcements, chart databases, and reputable music journalism sources.
