Popestar

Popestar is the second EP by the Swedish rock band Ghost.[1] It consists mainly of covers and was produced by Tom Dalgety.[1] The EP was released on 16 September 2016,[1] by Loma Vista Recordings.[2] The band began the Popestar Tour of North America following its release.[2]

Popestar
EP by Ghost
Released	16 September 2016 (2016-09-16)
Recorded	2016
Studio	Gardenia Studio, Linköping, SE
Length	23:37
Label	Loma Vista
Producer	Tom Dalgety
Ghost chronology
Meliora (2015) Popestar (2016) Prequelle (2018)
Singles from Popestar
"Square Hammer" Released: 16 September 2016

Background

Popestar consists almost entirely of covers. Ghost chose unexpected songs that differed from their own musical style.[3]

The only original track on the EP, "Square Hammer", was conceived at the end of the sessions for the band's Meliora album. Because the concept of the album was already in place and the song had a different feeling, the band decided not to include it on the album.[3] "Square Hammer" was released as a single on 12 September 2016, prior to the EP.[1]

Reception

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[4]
Peek-a-Boo	80/100[5]

Popestar debuted at No. 1 on Billboard's Top Rock Albums chart, becoming the first EP to reach the chart's top position. It sold 21,000 copies in its first week.[6]

Track listing

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1.	"Square Hammer"	A Ghoul Writer	3:59
2.	"Nocturnal Me" (Echo & the Bunnymen cover)	Pete de Freitas, Les Pattinson, Will Sergeant, Ian McCulloch	5:13
3.	"I Believe" (Simian Mobile Disco cover)	Jas Shaw, Simon Lord, James Ford	4:06
4.	"Missionary Man" (Eurythmics cover)	Annie Lennox, David Stewart	3:42
5.	"Bible" (Imperiet cover)	Christian Falk, Fred Asp, Joakim Thåström, Per Hägglund	6:34

Personnel

Ghost Papa Emeritus III A Group of Nameless Ghouls

Additional personnel Sofia Kempe – backing vocals on "Missionary Man" and "Bible" Brian Reed – harmonica on "Missionary Man"

Technical Tom Dalgety – production, engineering, mixing Niels Nielsen – additional engineering, programming Markus Crona – assistant Joe LaPorta – mastering Necropolitus Cracoviensis Zbigniew Bielak II – cover artwork

Charts

Chart (2016)	Peak position
Canadian Albums (Billboard)[7]	7
Finnish Albums (Suomen virallinen lista)[8]	12
French Albums (SNEP)[9]	44
New Zealand Heatseekers Albums (RMNZ)[10]	7
Scottish Albums (OCC)[11]	32
Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan)[12]	3
UK Albums (OCC)[13]	85
US Billboard 200[14]	16

References

1. "New Ghost Ep 'Popestar' Due This Friday; Listen To 'Square Hammer' Song". Blabbermouth.net. 12 September 2016. Retrieved 12 September 2016.
2. "Ghost Announces 'Popestar' U.S. Tour". Blabbermouth.net. 14 June 2016. Retrieved 12 September 2016.
3. "Ghost Explains Unexpected Covers on Chart-Topping 'Popestar' EP". Billboard. 29 September 2016. Retrieved 15 February 2017.
4. Monger, James Christopher. Ghost Popestar at AllMusic. Retrieved 20 May 2918.
5. Guillemyn, Wim (11 December 2016). "Ghost Popestar". Peek-a-Boo. Belgium. Retrieved 20 May 2018.
6. "Ghost's 'Popestar' Becomes First EP to Top Rock Albums Chart". Loudwire. 28 September 2016. Retrieved 15 February 2017.
7. "Ghost Chart History (Canadian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved 27 September 2016.
8. "Ghost: Popestar" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland. Retrieved 25 September 2016.
9. "Le Top de la semaine : Top Albums Fusionnes - SNEP (Week 38, 2016)" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved 27 September 2016.
10. "NZ Heatseekers Albums Chart". Recorded Music NZ. 26 September 2016. Retrieved 23 September 2016.
11. September 2016/40/ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 24 September 2016.
12. "Sverigetopplistan - Sveriges Officiella Topplista". Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved 23 September 2016. Click on "Veckans albumlista".
13. "Ghost | Artist | Official Charts". UK Albums Chart. Retrieved 24 September 2016.
14. "Ghost Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved 27 September 2016.