"Shrinkwrapped" is the sixth studio album by British post-punk band Gang of Four, released in 1995. Regenerating the group with a new lineup, the album saw the return of original members Andy Gill (guitar) and Jon King (vocals), as well as the addition of new members Sara Lee (bass) and Gail Ann Dorsey (drums).
The album showcases the band's signature mix of punk, funk, and dance, continuing their exploration into social and political themes. Despite critical acclaim, the album failed to achieve significant commercial success.
"Shrinkwrapped" is known for its experimental sound and dense, complex lyrics. It is thematically concerned with the idea of control, in both personal relationships and broader socio-political contexts, and uses more electronics and programming than previous records.
The cover art is a detail from a 1949 dental textbook, symbolizing the album's preoccupation with forms of control. Also, to signify the clinical precision of the music, the artwork is presented in stark black and white, expressing the album's darker, more confrontational tone than their previous releases.
The spectrum of responses to the album was broad, ranging from rejection by some critics and fans who preferred the band's earlier, more stripped-down sound, to praise from those who appreciated the album's more complex arrangements and wider range of influences. Despite this, Gang of Four's legacy remains rooted in the innovative, genre-blurring sound of their early work, and "Shrinkwrapped" is today considered a seminal album within the 90s post-punk revival.
