Twin Fantasy
by Car Seat Headrest
  • Record Label: Matador
  • Release Date: Feb 16, 2018
User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 226 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 210 out of 226
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 226
  3. Negative: 10 out of 226
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  1. hp20047
    Feb 18, 2018
    9
    Wow.

    I hadn't heard of CSH until this album, but I saw the high metascore and thought I'd give it a try. Before I listened to this one, I listened to TOD, and while I thought some of the songs were good, I didn't really like others And then I listened to this album, which, right now, is a close second for album of the year. It's genius, well crafted, and, in my opinion, try as you    Wow.

    I hadn't heard of CSH until this album, but I saw the high metascore and thought I'd give it a try. Before I listened to this one, I listened to TOD, and while I thought some of the songs were good, I didn't really like others

    And then I listened to this album, which, right now, is a close second for album of the year.

    It's genius, well crafted, and, in my opinion, try as you might, Toledo is probably the only person who will ever fully understand this album. The lyrics are honest and, frankly, really confusing, and the great production and raw vocals match them perfectly. Really great album.

    Favorite track: Beach Life-in-Death    … Expand
  2. dispencer187
    Apr 19, 2018
    10
    So good. Everything about rock I've enjoyed in the past 15 years all in one album. Best album of the year so far for me.
  3. AntonioUchoa
    Feb 23, 2018
    8
    Tons of melodrama, craziness and a good life narrative. Strong emotions transcend this album. Will’s effort and sincerity take us into his world, of miss some expectations, moments and confusions sometimes. The smooth vocals and relaxing melodies accompanying a sudden break-up, for me, reveal an insanity coming from him, a kind of scream that pull out all the fears, bad feelings andTons of melodrama, craziness and a good life narrative. Strong emotions transcend this album. Will’s effort and sincerity take us into his world, of miss some expectations, moments and confusions sometimes. The smooth vocals and relaxing melodies accompanying a sudden break-up, for me, reveal an insanity coming from him, a kind of scream that pull out all the fears, bad feelings and romantic affairs.

    Listen each track, it will be quite fantastic this musical experience.

    Listen: “The Whole Album.”    … Expand
  4. woostar
    May 29, 2018
    9
    A great and honest album. Youthful and funny, Twin Fantasy (Face to Face) is one of Car Seat Headrest's finest albums.
  5. GDV
    Mar 25, 2018
    9
    I heard about CHS last year when Teens of Denial came out and listening to Twin Fantasy will be easy for anyone who loves their previous album. Twin Fantasy was originally an album from Bandcamp that came out in 2011 and Will Toledo rerecorded all the songs and added a few minutes to some of the tracks. This was pretty ballsy of will but IT WAS WORTH IT. Awesome album and great improvementI heard about CHS last year when Teens of Denial came out and listening to Twin Fantasy will be easy for anyone who loves their previous album. Twin Fantasy was originally an album from Bandcamp that came out in 2011 and Will Toledo rerecorded all the songs and added a few minutes to some of the tracks. This was pretty ballsy of will but IT WAS WORTH IT. Awesome album and great improvement on the original!

    Fav Tracks: Beach Life-in-Death, Sober To Death, Cute Thing    … Expand
  6. alexix7
    Feb 18, 2018
    10
    It´s only February and we have a serious contender for the album of the year in Twin Fantasy. Toledo has done fantastic work. Pure rawness. The drums are spectacular. Great production by the way.

    Best songs: Famous Prophets, High to Death, Sober to Death
  7. castelliar
    Feb 17, 2018
    10
    has anyone stopped crying to this? absolutely breathtakingly fantastic. when Will first announced the re-release, i was slightly hesitant to accept it - what if he ruined the sacred atmosphere of the original? what if something went wrong? and oh boy, Car Seat Headrest can do no wrong. i was once again proved that the genius of Will Toledo has no limits. the brand new Twin Fantasy ishas anyone stopped crying to this? absolutely breathtakingly fantastic. when Will first announced the re-release, i was slightly hesitant to accept it - what if he ruined the sacred atmosphere of the original? what if something went wrong? and oh boy, Car Seat Headrest can do no wrong. i was once again proved that the genius of Will Toledo has no limits. the brand new Twin Fantasy is nothing but otherworldly, the boys managed to keep the beauty of the original in full bloom and at the same time amended the record amazingly. (the lyrics, man!!!! the production!! plus, the beautiful 1traitdanger verse in the end of Bodys is a godsend.)
    and when the mirror breaks, i wouldn't miss it for the world. 10/10    … Expand
  8. thelittlecoon
    Feb 16, 2018
    10
    The way Car Set Headrest are able to seamlessly produce an album that improves upon the original in every way is a feat in itself. What a thrilling experience. If you haven't listened to the original before I suggest you listen to that first to get a sense of just how incredible this album truly is. The new High to Death and Famous Prophets are some of the most beautiful songs Toledo'sThe way Car Set Headrest are able to seamlessly produce an album that improves upon the original in every way is a feat in itself. What a thrilling experience. If you haven't listened to the original before I suggest you listen to that first to get a sense of just how incredible this album truly is. The new High to Death and Famous Prophets are some of the most beautiful songs Toledo's ever made. Awesome stuff.… Expand
  9. NeutralMilkH
    Feb 17, 2018
    10
    Instead of merely rehashing elements of the original version and slightly improving production, Will Toledo with his fully realized Car Seat Headrest band has managed to make an expansive and heartfelt piece of absolute chaos and confusion with Twin Fantasy. This remake manages to keep many of the rough qualities of the original whilst simultaneously bringing about different ideas such asInstead of merely rehashing elements of the original version and slightly improving production, Will Toledo with his fully realized Car Seat Headrest band has managed to make an expansive and heartfelt piece of absolute chaos and confusion with Twin Fantasy. This remake manages to keep many of the rough qualities of the original whilst simultaneously bringing about different ideas such as the synths in Nervous Young Inhumans and the quivering instrumentation delivered at the start of High to Death that allow for the songs to breathe in an air that was much more ambitious than before (let alone the fact that the very slight changes in lyrics and monologues are worth finding for fans of the original who want to dissect the album to observe Will's progression as a songwriter.) Each song on this album manages to justify their running time by constantly switching things up and consistently diving into new depths of sonic feedback that deliver several instrumental climaxes throughout each track whilst simultaneously adding a level of maturity to songs that were initially written simply to express youthful depression and dissatisfaction. It allowed me to forget that I was listening to a group of musicians and I was able to become completely enamored by its scope and rough musical landscapes. This album is too much of an experience to be forgotten, and I can't wait to listen to it again. As of right now, I see no flaws (other than the few, nitpicky ones I have) to go along with this album. Final Score: 10/10.… Expand
  10. Milky663
    Feb 18, 2018
    10
    Every track on this album is an ambitious expansion of the already lovable lo-fi tracks of the original. it is Will Toledo's dream of how this album would turn out fully realized, and it's better because of it. Quite frankly, the only thing I have qualms with is how the drumming initially sounded to me on certain tracks, but now I've grown to love that part of the instrumentation as well.Every track on this album is an ambitious expansion of the already lovable lo-fi tracks of the original. it is Will Toledo's dream of how this album would turn out fully realized, and it's better because of it. Quite frankly, the only thing I have qualms with is how the drumming initially sounded to me on certain tracks, but now I've grown to love that part of the instrumentation as well. Score: 10/10… Expand
  11. cryopotato
    Apr 1, 2018
    6
    I'm a huge fan of Car Seat Headrest especially his older works but this new version to me was quite underwhelming. His voice doesn't sound as genuine as it did in the older version, it felt empty a lot of the time. A lot of the songs are still able to give me goosebumps like they used to but significantly less. Its not that its bad and you shouldn't listen to it, but it just wasn't able toI'm a huge fan of Car Seat Headrest especially his older works but this new version to me was quite underwhelming. His voice doesn't sound as genuine as it did in the older version, it felt empty a lot of the time. A lot of the songs are still able to give me goosebumps like they used to but significantly less. Its not that its bad and you shouldn't listen to it, but it just wasn't able to feel as real as earlier when he recorded it in his car. It just wasn't the album i fell in love with.… Expand
  12. badwulf151
    Feb 28, 2018
    0
    Very bad album, over rated by hipsters who think they are cool for listening to an album with simplistic album artwork.
  13. SKSK
    Jul 22, 2018
    7
    Toledo tries to be creative, but ends up spoiling much of his songs with his excess of "creativity". The album is good but turns out to be messy and not well produced.
  14. garyfrancispost
    Oct 9, 2021
    2
    this is so bad

    The band feels almost scientifically designed to appeal to the kind of cynical popphobic music listener I am generally the exact opposite of (not that I think the band is manufactured, they just happen to fit the needs of that demographic to a tee). They get this appeal from slightly grimy production, angsty lyrics, and hooks just not quite catchy or anthemic enough to    this is so bad

    The band feels almost scientifically designed to appeal to the kind of cynical popphobic music listener I am generally the exact opposite of (not that I think the band is manufactured, they just happen to fit the needs of that demographic to a tee). They get this appeal from slightly grimy production, angsty lyrics, and hooks just not quite catchy or anthemic enough to feel like a pop song (at least from what relatively little I've listened to). They're not experimental exactly they just seem to lack mainstream appeal. There hooks are a little catchy, just not very much. That third one (lack of super catchy or anthemic hooks) is the real problem for me. The hooks just don't quite have the passion in him that I look for in the music I listen to. I just don't feel any sort of emotion from listening to their music. I don't feel happy, I don't feel sad, and I don't have fun. Maybe the appeal is supposed to be from their lyrics, but musically it feels like they're trying to be not mainstream by taking away everything mainstream listeners find appealing about music, and maybe I'm just too mainstream but to me there's nothing left when you take all those things away. However, Drunk Drivers/Killer Whale is the kind of emotional sounding epic song with a long running time that I always really get into and gives me a sense of grand emotion I can only really get from that specific kind of song . I didn't like it at first, but it's growing on me with every listen.    … Expand
  15. MoralSupport
    May 13, 2018
    10
    Listening to albums feels like a daily chore for me sometimes, but I enjoy this hobby for the rare moments where I can sit at my computer desk and stare into space, listening to pure perfection ringing through my ears. Each song is a beautiful confession of the state-of-mind Will Toledo is in. And, with songs at Thirteen and Sixteen minutes, it is obvious he has a lot to confess. The songsListening to albums feels like a daily chore for me sometimes, but I enjoy this hobby for the rare moments where I can sit at my computer desk and stare into space, listening to pure perfection ringing through my ears. Each song is a beautiful confession of the state-of-mind Will Toledo is in. And, with songs at Thirteen and Sixteen minutes, it is obvious he has a lot to confess. The songs blend together seamlessly, each one feeling fresh, and not a boring moments exists in this wonderful effort. I have to say my favorite song is the album's opener, My Boy. This album is an early contender for album of the year, and deserves a listen from everyone, not just Car Seat Headrest fans. Overall, a 9.8/10.… Expand
  16. AnOutburst
    Apr 10, 2018
    10
    Sonically, the album is near flawless. It shows a wide range of thematic talent behind Will's composition and lyricism, the album being peppered with emotional highs and lows. What stands out above all else is how it showcases the growth of will as a person. It revisits one of the lowest points in his life, about falling out of love with someone for reasons beyond your control and coping.Sonically, the album is near flawless. It shows a wide range of thematic talent behind Will's composition and lyricism, the album being peppered with emotional highs and lows. What stands out above all else is how it showcases the growth of will as a person. It revisits one of the lowest points in his life, about falling out of love with someone for reasons beyond your control and coping. The fundamentally different aspect is that will, in retrospect, no longer views his original masterpiece as a story of tragedy, a higher ground that allows him to bring to the table an element of objectivity, remorse, and hope that alleviates the album on a conceptual level above the original work, as well as most emotion filled music of the day. Twin Fantasy serves as the conclusion of a chapter in Will's life and the listeners that stands strong as one of the best conceptual albums of all time.… Expand
  17. fwtll636
    May 13, 2018
    7
    Car Seat Headrest, the king of writing choruses, has dropped a previously unreleased album 'Twin Fantasy'. Much like his past releases, there is material worthy of high-praise and there is material you'll badly want to skip over.
  18. All_ButTrU4
    Jun 7, 2022
    7
    Twin Fantasy leaves no doubt that Toledo is a strikingly gifted and thoughtful songwriter who also has a firm grasp of how to make his material work in the studio, and isn't afraid to think on a grand scale.
  19. weeb122
    Dec 21, 2020
    8
    Amazing album although some songs feel like they drag on for too long. My first CSH album as well.

    Favourite Songs: Bodys, My Boy (Twin Fantasy), Stop Smoking.

    Least Favourite songs: Beach Life-In-Death.
  20. Chris182
    Apr 25, 2021
    9
    Easily one of the best things Will Toledo has ever done. This album is so sad and twisted but i just cant stop coming back to it. I much prefer this to the 2011 Mirror to Mirror version as the overall sound is alot cleaner and easy on the ears.
    Best Songs: Sober to Death, Nervous Young Inhumans, Bodys, Cute Thing, Twin Fantasy (Those Boys), Beach Life-In-Death, High to Death
    Wost Songs: N/A
  21. trulyunknown
    Mar 28, 2022
    10
    I think this album is really good, the tracks are catchy, but also sound unique. The themes feel mixed and emotional. This album feels like a young adult going through it, while also not being super heavy when listening.
  22. SPAMPLSILIKEIT
    May 14, 2022
    10
    My favorite album of all time. The 2011 Version is already a 10/10 , but this one trades a little bit of the emotional power of that album for the perfect production. Everything from the lyrics, the songwriting, the production, etc. is perfect in this tale about teenage love, with themes of homosexuality, co-dependency in a relationship and disassociation with reality.
  23. deetsett
    Jun 21, 2022
    10
    Best indie rock i have ever heard.
    I would even say this album is the most well rounded and balanced indie rock I've listened to. There are no fillers (except maybe Stop Smoking, but that is just a nice little song). Every song is well-written and doesn't feel excessive.
    Twin Fantasy isn't filled with too much unnecessary complexity, but it's not primitive or extremely straightforward.    Best indie rock i have ever heard.
    I would even say this album is the most well rounded and balanced indie rock I've listened to. There are no fillers (except maybe Stop Smoking, but that is just a nice little song). Every song is well-written and doesn't feel excessive.
    Twin Fantasy isn't filled with too much unnecessary complexity, but it's not primitive or extremely straightforward. There are songs playing with song structures and lengths (Beach Life-In-Death, Famous Prophets) and also songs with just good catchy hooks (Bodys, Cute Thing). Overall it just sounds great and pleasant for me, and it's interesting to notice new things with each listen, like how for example some songs share motif or lyric that really helps Twin Fantasy as a concept album.
    And yeah, concept is executed quite well too. Lyrics can hit hard and evoke some familiar images from life. Relatable feelings.
    2011 version of Twin Fantasy was already awesome, but I prefer 2018 Face-to-Face. As much i like lo-fi (Guided by Voices, Pavement, The Microphones and ect) I think Twin Fantasy works better with hi-fi production, as it's epic and grandiose album. Other than this, instrumentals are much better than on Mirror-to-Mirror, for example great usage of synths on Cute Thing or basically upgraded version of Famous Prophets that is the second best song on album after Beach Life-In-Death now.
    Okay, so this is really the best indie rock album I've heard, not the most unique, but the most consistent. Masterpiece    … Expand
  24. Hazel005
    Aug 5, 2022
    10
    Just a masterpiece, emotional and with sound innovations, based on the wonderful experience of indie rock.
  25. Friisskk
    Nov 17, 2022
    10
    um dos melhores album que eu escutei na vida, simplesmente maravilhoso, escutem

Awards & Rankings

14
#14 Best Album of 2018
58
#58 Most Discussed Album of 2018

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
87

Universal acclaim - based on 21 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 20 out of 21
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 21
  3. Negative: 0 out of 21
  1. Clash Music
    Apr 18, 2018
    70
    Though it often overstays its welcome, with a handful of tracks pushing beyond the 15-minute mark, Twin Fantasy is an ideal starting point for any latent Will Toledo fan.
    Read full review
  2. Magnet
    Apr 17, 2018
    90
    What a glorious sound it is--the highs and lows (sonically and emotionally) are crisper and better defined. [No. 150, p.50]
  3. Pretty Much Amazing
    Feb 22, 2018
    91
    On the 2018 remake (full title: Twin Fantasy (Face to Face)), Toledo maintains his vulnerability but hides behind layers of noise and production value. ... But if Toledo’s production sensibilities are still a work in progress, his sense of humor and wit continue to shine through.
    Read full review
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