Total is the debut studio album by French electronic musician SebastiAn, released on 30 May 2011 in Europe and on 7 June 2011 in North America through Ed Banger Records (with distribution by Because Music). The album was recorded at A.S. Studio and runs for a total length of 51 minutes and 14 seconds.
Genre and style
The record incorporates elements of house, electro house, experimental music, and glitch, reflecting SebastiAn’s eclectic electronic production approach.
Production
SebastiAn himself produced the entire album. The cover photograph, depicting the artist kissing his own reflection, was shot by French photographer Jean‑Baptiste Mondino; its provocative imagery generated discussion among fans for its ambiguous visual statement.
Singles
Three singles were issued from Total:
- “Embody” – released 4 April 2011 with a video directed by So Me and remixes by DJ Premier and Kavinsky.
- “C.T.F.O.” – released 22 August 2011.
- “Love in Motion” – released 12 March 2012.
Collaborations and guest appearances
The album features contributions from M.I.A., soul singer Mayer Hawthorne, and Gaspard Augé of the French electronic duo Justice.
Critical reception
Total received generally positive reviews from music critics. Aggregated scores include a Metacritic rating of 66/100. Individual outlets such as AllMusic, BBC Music, DIY (8/10), Mojo, NME (6/10), Pitchfork (5.6/10), Q Magazine, and Robert Christgau (A−) offered favorable assessments, highlighting SebastiAn’s production skill and the album’s blend of dance‑floor energy with experimental textures.
Label
The release was issued under Ed Banger Records, a prominent French electronic music label known for fostering artists in the electro and house scenes.