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What Will We Be
by
What Will We Be Image
Metascore
69

Generally favorable reviews - based on 25 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 15 Ratings

  • Summary: The first album on his new label for the folk singer was co-produced with Paul Butler.

Top Track

Baby
Baby, I finally know what I'm going after I'm learning to let in all the laughter Holy moly, you're so funny You crack me up, you crack me up Look... See the rest of the song lyrics
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 25
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 25
  3. Negative: 1 out of 25
  1. The A.V. Club
    91
    On this, his major-label bow, the (now beardless!) prince of freak-folk has harnessed his many left-field tics and energies to craft his most elegantly driven work yet.
  2. Entertainment Weekly
    83
    Maybe he's listening a little too closely to his spirit animal, but either way, the guy sure sounds inspired. [30 Oct 2009, p.58]
    All this publication's reviews
  3. Q Magazine
    80
    Mark this down as the point which we can say with certainty for the first time Devendra Banhart is here for the long run. [Nov 2009, p.113]
    All this publication's reviews
  4. Rolling Stone
    70
    The sixth studio album by Devendra Banhart is the best he's ever made. What Will We Be is also great enough in patchouli-scented spurts to suggest that the 28-year-old singer-songwriter's defining classic is one more record and a little more focus away.
  5. PopMatters
    60
    It’s not surprising that What Will We Be sounds, then, like a relaxed, slightly crisper take on the ideas that informed his previous release. This haze of lazy Tropicalia, occasionally interrupted by an indulged moment of proggy vamp, isn’t necessarily a compromise.
  6. Under The Radar
    50
    It's easy to lay the rap on Banhart's drifting towards the middle of the road with the fuller, whole-band sound he's embraced, or the bigger labels or the greater notoriety, but the fault clearly lies with Banhart himself, who has become a lot easier to understand. [Fall 2009, p.56]
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  7. Tiny Mix Tapes
    30
    What Will We Be is a better, more realized album, but it’s still a dud, filled with mediocre, half-composed songs and tediously unfocused songwriting.

See all 25 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 4
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 4
  3. Negative: 0 out of 4
  1. KateM
    Apr 2, 2011
    10
    This is an album that cannot be skimmed through. Listening to each individual is a treat to the ears- they start off slow and soft, butThis is an album that cannot be skimmed through. Listening to each individual is a treat to the ears- they start off slow and soft, but there's always a twist towards the middle and end, such as Chin Chin Muck Muck. First Song for B is the best example of this. The end is absolutely beautiful and heart felt. WWWB is a fantastic album- it is still very Banhart, though the development expected from artists who have created several albums is clear.… Expand
  2. Rikardsen
    Aug 14, 2011
    9
    First I wasn't sure about WWWB, he has some amazing albums and this one sounded a bit different, but its an inspiration. Whether its the musicFirst I wasn't sure about WWWB, he has some amazing albums and this one sounded a bit different, but its an inspiration. Whether its the music or the lyrics the albums positive message jingles and jangles along, Foolin, Chin Chin and Rats are especially good. Sometimes it can sound a little drawn out but it grows on you as you realise the Devendra worldly style.… Expand
  4. frankrog29
    Jan 19, 2021
    9
    Based on the critics’ score (69), What Will We Be is severely underrated. Devendra Banhart’s style changed significantly after his 2005 albumBased on the critics’ score (69), What Will We Be is severely underrated. Devendra Banhart’s style changed significantly after his 2005 album Cripple Crow, and even more after his 2007 album Smokey Rolls Down Thunder Canyon. He became less aligned with “freak folk” and more aligned with a singer-songwriter vibe, which is basically what he has continued with to this day. This album seems to be about not knowing where you’re going in life, but that being OK because life is a journey. I just made this album sound really corny, but don’t let that dissuade you. The songs on this album are some of Mr. Banhart’s most warm, comforting, and beautiful. This is Mr. Banhart’s loosest, funkiest album to date as of January 2021. There are also moments of straight-up jamming, not unlike some live Grateful Dead. Overall, this collection of songs is very heady and intoxicating. I highly recommend What Will We Be to anyone who likes spontaneous, iconoclastic singer-songwriter music with a loose, hippied-out vibe.… Expand
  5. MusicxxAddicted
    Apr 14, 2013
    9
    My favourite album by Devendra Banhart, filled with lush sounds and influences. It's perhaps not as fluid, with some songs "jumping" toMy favourite album by Devendra Banhart, filled with lush sounds and influences. It's perhaps not as fluid, with some songs "jumping" to another but it certainly doesn't get you off your cloud. For some people it might be considered a grower, I had the luck to fall instantly in love with it.… Expand

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