Night Shades is the fourth and final studio album by American dance-rock band Cobra Starship, released through Fueled by Ramen and Decaydance Records on August 29, 2011.
"[10] The band started writing Night Shades in September 2010, but during these initial sessions, Saporta wasn't happy with what they were creating.
"[11] In the end, the trip gave Saporta "clarity" and made him feel "rejuvenated"—two things he needed to survive the studio mishaps Cobra Starship experienced after he returned.
First, the band set up shop in an abandoned floor of a building owned by a friend's family—but two weeks into recording, they were unexpectedly met by a demolition crew.
"[8] During an interview with Alicia Fiorletta from The Aquarium, Alex Suarez commented about the album: "I think we've massaged our writing process a whole lot more.
[14] Other songs on the album include "Disaster Boy" which offers a flashback to Hot Mess with its more alternative sounds and female vocals; "Don't Blame the World, It's the DJ's Fault" sounds similar to "Fool Like Me" with its slower rhythm; and "You Belong to Me", the upbeat ballad of the album.
[16] Tim Sendra from AllMusic gave to the album 3.5 out of 5 stars, declaring that "packing so many WTFs into one ten-song record is hardly fair, a bit reckless, and ultimately (amazingly) successful.
"[17] He also wrote that the album "is ridiculously fun and light, sure to spawn at least a couple of songs you’ll want to play at ironic dance parties, summer blowouts, and maybe even over headphones when you need some (mostly) mindless cheering up.
"[13] Mikael Wood from Entertainment Weekly wrote that "the hooks here are undeniably sharp, but Cobra were more fun as party crashers than they are as VIPs.
"[18] Kirk Miller from Metromix wrote that "the record is full of Auto-Tune, club beats, some '80s retro-pop, guest stars galore, and a sinking feeling that the entire process was hatched by someone's marketing department.
"[19] Aubrey Welbers from Alternative Press wrote a mixed review, stating that the album "is a meticulously orchestrated dance record", and that "Cobra Starship have misplaced their unique tongue-in-cheek sensibilities; it feels like they’re killing time with safe, indistinguishable club tracks and pop ballads.