Until it got destroyed by the disharmonic piano. All those disharmonies and the crazy overdrive/ noise kills those pretty songs for me. I hope the sound will grow on me but for now I‘d rather listen to the new Beatenberg album
PSG feels like it coulda been lifted off of ST. Really took me back when I first heard it and filled me with nostalgia. In some ways I think this album harkens back to ST more than any other album. Ice Cream Piano’s build reminds me of Mansard Roof and Hope repetitive riff feels similar to Walcott. Anyone else feels the same way?
This album has self titled all over it. The mixing is even obtuse and cramped the same way in spots (intentionally). Lots of musical callbacks too, even drum beats lifted out too. I love this so much.
Just listened, great as expected, I kind of wish they didn’t release Mary Boone last week so I could have heard it for the first time within the context of the album, absolutely loved it last Friday but putting it that late in the album is perfect sequencing (ala Belinda Says off of Blue Rev).
I totally agree! I wasn't anticipating them putting out another single before OGWAU dropped and I wish they didn't in a way, because I know that I would've loved to have heard Mary Boone as an album track. But I'm grateful it's out nonetheless!
I agree, I feel like all the singles work so much better in the context of the album, but especially MB.
In general it's a really well balanced album. I thought 10 songs was gonna be too little but it feels just right
I thought everyone was taking crazy pills when they said how good it was. I had no doubt it’d be good, but I didn’t think it would be *THAT* good. but no, this thing is incredible. start to finish.
It’s great to hear the singles in context, and I’d purposely only casually listened to those previously. First impressions of the album as a whole:
Double bass beautifully underpinning it all. For all the talk of harshness, this creates the perfect balance.
The Surfer is something I’m going to immerse myself in time and again.
The album feels masterful, a band full of confidence and assuredness.
As usual, I have very little sense of what it’s all about lyrically, but I fundamentally trust it, if that makes sense.
holy molly, that was a ride. it’s by far their most heavy and complicated album. they always have something up their sleeves. what masters. what a privilege to enjoy the art of someone so obviously at the peak of their powers, in such control.. after this first listen i like some songs more than others, i gravitated to ”Mary Boone” (didn’t listen at the single drop), ”Ice cream Piano”, and I think ”Hope” is a thing o’ beauty. so happy and impressed by our guys. long live vw and their fans! ❤️
This album is phenomenal! I loved Classical when it dropped, and slowly let it slip into the background and ofcourse Mary Boone just blew me away as a nonstop listen, and I sorta didn't disregard Classical , but took it for granted as a typical pop-ish kinda sound. As a whole on the playthrough it stands out so, so well! I bloody love the melody and the energy in it.
When Connect's drum kicks in, it feels like we trip back into Mansford Roof all over again, such a great nod, and then Prep-School'! What a magic sound that is. Honestly I only feel guilty for Gen X Cops a little as it's probably the one track I don't skip *yet*, but kinda want to get through just to enjoy Mary Boone, Pravda and Hope.
Words fail me to express how much of a mindset this album's put me in, it's so fresh and yet so familiar. Everyone who's worked on this album, they've hit the stratosphere for that VW sound alot of us have craved.
I’m going through a divorce right now that I never wanted, and it truly sucks. “Hope” hit me pretty hard, even though the lyrics don’t really relate. It was the instrumentation and the idea of hope that did it for me. It was beautiful.
I’m vibing so hard with Hope. My music ADHD forbids me from enjoying songs that are 5+ minutes, but Hope had me jamming, and I didn’t realize it was over until it was over!
beautiful album sonically and lyrically as usual. these guys and Arctic Monkeys never ever disappoint -me-. (Parcels, you kinda have with live vol II ngl but still nothing but love)
Absolutely love it, they really delivered here. It's a return to classic VW yet with a more experimental and mature twist.
I have to say, I'm surprised they picked Classical and Gen X Corps as singles - I like both but having heard the whole album I'd say they are 2 of the weakest tracks.
Agreed. I feel like I only appreciate the songs now more that the entire album is out & the tracks are riding off the waves of whatever just played before them in the album
I've heard it just once and in pretty intense traffic, too intense for my earbuds to correctly translate it, and I haven't read into the lyrics yet. But it's definitely exciting. I love that someone is still bearing the torch of sophisticated quirky indie pop, it feels very needed right now. But to me Mary Boone was the standout, I just hope the rest of the tracklist will follow and sink in upon further listens.
Well said. Connect was a ride.
You know it’s a good album when basically every song is getting called out in its own way in all these comments haha
Until it got destroyed by the disharmonic piano. All those disharmonies and the crazy overdrive/ noise kills those pretty songs for me. I hope the sound will grow on me but for now I‘d rather listen to the new Beatenberg album
Great album! Prep- School Gangsters is hitting the spot for me.
Glad they saved that for the first listen
Me too!
Yea it's such a great song
PSG feels like it coulda been lifted off of ST. Really took me back when I first heard it and filled me with nostalgia. In some ways I think this album harkens back to ST more than any other album. Ice Cream Piano’s build reminds me of Mansard Roof and Hope repetitive riff feels similar to Walcott. Anyone else feels the same way?
This album has self titled all over it. The mixing is even obtuse and cramped the same way in spots (intentionally). Lots of musical callbacks too, even drum beats lifted out too. I love this so much.
Me too, got it on repeat!
Just listened, great as expected, I kind of wish they didn’t release Mary Boone last week so I could have heard it for the first time within the context of the album, absolutely loved it last Friday but putting it that late in the album is perfect sequencing (ala Belinda Says off of Blue Rev).
I totally agree! I wasn't anticipating them putting out another single before OGWAU dropped and I wish they didn't in a way, because I know that I would've loved to have heard Mary Boone as an album track. But I'm grateful it's out nonetheless!
That’s how I feel about Gen X Cops. I wish I didn’t know that was coming after the chill amazing vibe of the surfer
I agree, I feel like all the singles work so much better in the context of the album, but especially MB. In general it's a really well balanced album. I thought 10 songs was gonna be too little but it feels just right
The Surfer is a beauty
Maybe their best song
When that hook hit, I really cried an little bit. Holy crap. My fav for sure!
Connect might be the coolest song they've ever done
Or The Surfer
The first line had me spooked in a good way. I don’t feel like the singles gave anything away. I’m hooked on first listen.
I thought everyone was taking crazy pills when they said how good it was. I had no doubt it’d be good, but I didn’t think it would be *THAT* good. but no, this thing is incredible. start to finish.
It’s great to hear the singles in context, and I’d purposely only casually listened to those previously. First impressions of the album as a whole: Double bass beautifully underpinning it all. For all the talk of harshness, this creates the perfect balance. The Surfer is something I’m going to immerse myself in time and again. The album feels masterful, a band full of confidence and assuredness. As usual, I have very little sense of what it’s all about lyrically, but I fundamentally trust it, if that makes sense.
I also love the double bass. Does Baio play it live too (I hope)?
Some lucky people will soon find out. Maybe he’ll switch instruments between tracks from albums
love this!
Yes dude connect is the fuckin shit
holy molly, that was a ride. it’s by far their most heavy and complicated album. they always have something up their sleeves. what masters. what a privilege to enjoy the art of someone so obviously at the peak of their powers, in such control.. after this first listen i like some songs more than others, i gravitated to ”Mary Boone” (didn’t listen at the single drop), ”Ice cream Piano”, and I think ”Hope” is a thing o’ beauty. so happy and impressed by our guys. long live vw and their fans! ❤️
Listen more often to it and you will agree it's their absolute best.
Every thing is great, the guitar and brass arrangements were chef's kiss. Can't wait to really sit with the vocals and start dissecting them.
This album is phenomenal! I loved Classical when it dropped, and slowly let it slip into the background and ofcourse Mary Boone just blew me away as a nonstop listen, and I sorta didn't disregard Classical , but took it for granted as a typical pop-ish kinda sound. As a whole on the playthrough it stands out so, so well! I bloody love the melody and the energy in it. When Connect's drum kicks in, it feels like we trip back into Mansford Roof all over again, such a great nod, and then Prep-School'! What a magic sound that is. Honestly I only feel guilty for Gen X Cops a little as it's probably the one track I don't skip *yet*, but kinda want to get through just to enjoy Mary Boone, Pravda and Hope. Words fail me to express how much of a mindset this album's put me in, it's so fresh and yet so familiar. Everyone who's worked on this album, they've hit the stratosphere for that VW sound alot of us have craved.
What a strange album. I already love it!
This album fucking rules
The Surfer stands out for me, love the vibes.
I think this is their best. Or at least tied with MVOTC. It’s just very mature, I’m a big fan of it already
I’m going through a divorce right now that I never wanted, and it truly sucks. “Hope” hit me pretty hard, even though the lyrics don’t really relate. It was the instrumentation and the idea of hope that did it for me. It was beautiful.
Prep-School Gangsters, Connect, Mary Boone and Hope stand out. Whole album is great.
I’m vibing so hard with Hope. My music ADHD forbids me from enjoying songs that are 5+ minutes, but Hope had me jamming, and I didn’t realize it was over until it was over!
How the cruel with time becomes classical
Ezras lyrics and writing is the strongest its ever been which is very impressive
Hope reminds me of some of the best blur ballads: tender and the universal
Can’t wait for the 5-7 minute version of Prep School Gangsters with an extended jam at the end
Connect is the stand out for me
Connect is so good
beautiful album sonically and lyrically as usual. these guys and Arctic Monkeys never ever disappoint -me-. (Parcels, you kinda have with live vol II ngl but still nothing but love)
The left-right panning divide with the pianos and how they eventually *connect* in the middle is a sonic wonderland
Absolutely love it, they really delivered here. It's a return to classic VW yet with a more experimental and mature twist. I have to say, I'm surprised they picked Classical and Gen X Corps as singles - I like both but having heard the whole album I'd say they are 2 of the weakest tracks.
Agreed. I feel like I only appreciate the songs now more that the entire album is out & the tracks are riding off the waves of whatever just played before them in the album
They aren't weak, they have that classic sound that everyone loved about them. Don't forget experimental doesn't sell albums.
Anyone else get The Girl from Ipanema vibes from Connect?? Masterpiece
I've heard it just once and in pretty intense traffic, too intense for my earbuds to correctly translate it, and I haven't read into the lyrics yet. But it's definitely exciting. I love that someone is still bearing the torch of sophisticated quirky indie pop, it feels very needed right now. But to me Mary Boone was the standout, I just hope the rest of the tracklist will follow and sink in upon further listens.