Album Rating: 4.0

This album is glorious. Tracks 1, 2, 3, 6 and 7 would make an EP superior to Loveless, and any other shoegaze release for that matter. Those other tracks are still good, just not of the same calibre. As it stands, this = Loveless I think. Loveless has the timelessness and consistency, this has the heart and the surprises.



Also... the production / mixing is awful? Whaaa

Album Rating: 4.0

Swap out 7 for 5 and yeah it's better than Loveless. The pitch bending on If I Am is like one of the best parts of the album.



As for the last 3 tracks, the melodies are really mediocre for MBV in my opinion and they are missing the textures and dreamlike qualities that make this band so interesting for me. The noise is a little too in your face and grating.

"Loveless" >

Album Rating: 4.5

Boney pls post this thread on PMC for maximum butthurt

That 1 is a pretty harrowing sight

Album Rating: 3.0

Alright, giving it a second go now. Wish me luck.

Album Rating: 4.0

Next time I check this thread I better see that 1 bumped up

Album Rating: 3.0

Some more detailed thoughts:



She Found Now: Decent enough track but doesn't leave much of an impression, just sounds like one of the quieter moments from Loveless (think: Sometimes).



Only Tomorrow: Drags on way too long, the riff isn't very memorable and the noise is unpleasantly abrasive.



Who Sees You: Similar problems as with Only Tomorrow. Feels like a blueprint for Come In Alone. Riff is more memorable but again just sounds like something lifted from Loveless. The track doesn't go anywhere interesting and then just abruptly ends after 6 whole minutes.



Is This and Yes: Shameless Beach House rip off except it forgets to actually be a song and instead is just Bilinda cooing randomly for 5 whole minutes.



If I Am: First time the dance beat shows up. More cooing Bilinda though there's a bit more melody this time around. Starts doing some weird glitchy things in the middle but it doesn't really develop into anything interesting. Eventually Kevin's vox enter somewhere in the mix.



New You: More dance beat. Sorta psychedelic guitar. Hey, Bilinda's actually singing words for once! Finally an actual song! The spacey keyboard line in the background is nice. Not a fan of the repeating distorted bass note. Starts to drag eventually - why did this have to be 5 minutes?



In Another Way: Ok now we've got a more aggressive drum beat and noisier guitar. More interesting than the last few tracks but I don't really like the guitar tone here. Like a lot of the tracks here it feels like something's missing in the mixing but I can't quite say what. At least there's a somewhat more memorable guitar line. The synth line is nice but again the track goes on too long.



Nothing Is: This is irredeemable. Literally just sounds like Kevin sat down with a programmed beat, struck a few random chords on the guitar and looped it for 3 and a half minutes.



Wonder 2: So we've got a chaotic dnb beat and a bunch of sonic chaos over that (one sound in the background sounds like a plane flying by or something). This is the only thing that approaches the overwhelming feeling of Loveless but idk it's maybe too abrasive for me and doesn't really resolve into any sort of interesting melody. It does have potential though and if Shields and co ever make another masterpiece it will probably end up being something that builds on this.



So ok it's not a 1 but I can't say I particularly enjoy it - but there is room for it to grow on me. I did have a better experience this time around.

Album Rating: 3.5

I kinda agree with plane



I mean honestly i feel like they really stripped away most of the catchy melodies & conventional structure for a more droning/soundscape approach. Mood music just meant to just get lost in, and appreciate with time



Overall i'd say it's their least accessible release, and If for some reason you don't love the sounds on display here it's def gonna be harder to get into

Album Rating: 4.0

The first three tracks see the Loveless formula perfected. So colossal and emotive. The guitar tone is wayyy better. I'm absolutely floored any time I hear those songs

Album Rating: 4.0

Thank you, yes. I am totally in agreement poly

Album Rating: 3.0

Alright, I knew I was probably going to eat my words but this is growing on me

Listen until it's about a 4.0 & then you will be correct.

Album Rating: 4.0

ha

Album Rating: 4.0

boney going through the stages half of us did on release

That's exactly what I went through. I swore off music after my first listen. I felt betrayed.


Then I gave it some more time & now I "get it".

Album Rating: 4.0

lmao nice

Album Rating: 3.0

As some may recall I did much the same thing with Loveless

"Loveless" is the epitome of a 5.0 for me.

Does anyone have any info on the new album?