it feels like the songs here are designed for a stage play musical rather than an album.

that kind of music can work for a musical when the goal is to tell a story, but here you’re just ending up with tracks that go on and on constantly changing with little to latch on to. would it kill them to repeat a section every once in a while? at a certain point it just feels like theyre showing off the fact they studied music

very sorry to say im not fw this at all. Bush Hall was more direct than this and seemed like a good preview to what was to come after Isaac had left, but these meandering songs are not it. simplifying them down would’ve done wonders because i think there are good tunes buried deep down under all the complexity

To me they sound less complex. Just long and boring.
My favorite song so far is Nancy tries to take the night and even that takes 3 minutes to get going

Band was awesome before and they're still awesome now. I love this.

they make such good music that I just cannot listen to, idk what it is

Happy Birthday is hard tho

This is fine I guess damn I wish black midi didn’t break up

Big Estrogen, Woke Undertones

This only gets better the more you listen to it

Agreed. There's a lot to chew on with this album and takes a while to sink into it. The criticisms that it's twee and pompous are accurate, but f***, man, it's really good too lol. I appreciate when a band/artist takes a big swing like this.

Love this album. Went and bought the vinyl this morning mostly for the lyrics sheet. Need to dig in to the songwriting more to really get into this.

April 4th, 2025

The day the BCNR fanbase split

Real ones allowed only now

A really great follow up to ants from up there

Windmill Scene in a nutshell

While I don't like Pitchfork these days nor agree with the numerical score, I think this written review is pretty fair.

Loving this, lots of beautifully complex compositions and great lyrics. I do think it's their weakest album though.

Across the Pond Friend was a goated track, the rest were extremely forgettable imo

Yeah overall a very solid album, in contention for aoty rn for me — but that being said all of the albums I have as current 2025 album of the year contenders wouldn’t even crack my top 10 last year.

Sad af because I have such a deep connection with the sound/lyrics of Ants, but it is what it is

Turbines / Pigs literally one of their best songs

Up Song and Dancers are also brilliant.

I’ll revisit

The Wrong Trousers only snoozer, album is so good, hopefully it connects with you.