Why Hasn't Everything Already Disappeared?
by Deerhunter
  • Record Label: 4AD
  • Release Date: Jan 18, 2019
User Score
7.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 65 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 48 out of 65
  2. Mixed: 14 out of 65
  3. Negative: 3 out of 65
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  1. Theycallmejhonn
    Jan 18, 2019
    10
    This is a more mature record, about a very lucid point of view about the contemporary world, no nostalgia involved. The lyrics reflect the modern society in a very raw, realistic projection, with topics like capitalism and death. Most of the themes are not about personal experiences like in Cryptograms or Halcyon Digest, instead this record talks from a "not much future left" perspectiveThis is a more mature record, about a very lucid point of view about the contemporary world, no nostalgia involved. The lyrics reflect the modern society in a very raw, realistic projection, with topics like capitalism and death. Most of the themes are not about personal experiences like in Cryptograms or Halcyon Digest, instead this record talks from a "not much future left" perspective about the current situation. Which sounds sad, but i think is what Bradford Cox and company want to express with their art nowadays, and you can hear that a lot of thought has been put on the production of this album. Every song feels tight and very consistent, this is not a "we have to put another album out" situation. In recent years, the band perspective on life has changed, their desire to write about this topics feels justified and not forced.… Expand
  2. Ricko
    Apr 28, 2019
    8
    This is a record that encapsulates Deerhunter's career. It is an album that sees experimental psychedelia and melodic indie pop rock coexist harmoniously. It's neither the bands most experimental or straight up album but a good blend of both. It can also be said that its not their best nor their worst but sits somewhere in the middle. "What Happens To People" is a great song though andThis is a record that encapsulates Deerhunter's career. It is an album that sees experimental psychedelia and melodic indie pop rock coexist harmoniously. It's neither the bands most experimental or straight up album but a good blend of both. It can also be said that its not their best nor their worst but sits somewhere in the middle. "What Happens To People" is a great song though and stands with their best.… Expand
  3. frankrog29
    Dec 7, 2019
    8
    Why Hasn't Everything Already Disappeared proves that Deerhunter is still the best American band. I would give this album an 8.5/10. The band went for more of a dream pop / indie pop sound this time around, using pianos, harpsichords, marimbas, and synthesizers. Unlike most Deerhunter albums, except for maybe Monomania, the music is very upbeat, even perky and bouncy, like Stereolab (ofWhy Hasn't Everything Already Disappeared proves that Deerhunter is still the best American band. I would give this album an 8.5/10. The band went for more of a dream pop / indie pop sound this time around, using pianos, harpsichords, marimbas, and synthesizers. Unlike most Deerhunter albums, except for maybe Monomania, the music is very upbeat, even perky and bouncy, like Stereolab (of whom Bradford Cox is a big fan). However, the lyrics are probably Mr. Cox's darkest yet; all of the songs are about death. The album is probably Deerhunter's most psychedelic so far; "Greenpoint Gothic" is a very Stereolab instrumental, and "Detournement" is a dystopian-sounding electronic piece with an unnerving spoken word performance by Mr. Cox. The album is probably Deerhunter's most pop-oriented, too, but it is still avant garde. Overall, the band continue to both challenge and please with an album that sounds both pleasant and unnerving, like walking around in some future dystopian world.… Expand
  4. charliequaker
    Feb 23, 2019
    8
    On their 8th official studio album, this iconic band from Atlanta, Georgia continues down a path of mellow-but-weird experimental indie pop/rock. The songs play like cohesive nuggets of subconscious creativity. Bradford Cox’ ability to combine accessible pop melodies with odd and unexpected elements remains entertainingly intact. The lyrics are imbued with a concerned, if somewhat distant,On their 8th official studio album, this iconic band from Atlanta, Georgia continues down a path of mellow-but-weird experimental indie pop/rock. The songs play like cohesive nuggets of subconscious creativity. Bradford Cox’ ability to combine accessible pop melodies with odd and unexpected elements remains entertainingly intact. The lyrics are imbued with a concerned, if somewhat distant, existential passion. Overall it’s a comfortably peculiar bit of indie pop that feels open and vaguely welcoming. Members/guests have played in Atlas Sound, Lotus Plaza, Moon Diagrams, Macha, The Dream Scene, Drinks, White Fence, more. While there’s nothing here that makes me sit up and say “Woah!”, “Why Hasn’t Everything Already Disappeared?” is a pleasantly stimulating listen that holds the promise of unfolding revelations. Recommended.… Expand
  5. timsentz1
    Jan 18, 2019
    9
    This will be their most divisive release I'm guess. Not a Fading Frontier sequel, but more of a contemplation on our world which is very different for Cox to do. It's not a career defining masterpiece, just a solid concept album that continues their winning streak.
  6. kauf7690
    Jan 18, 2019
    10
    Great production, amazing songwriting and instrumentation. Might be their best since Halcyon Digest.
  7. bramel-reviews
    Jan 21, 2019
    8
    This album serves at Deerhunter's most complete and comprehensive record in nearly 10 years. The band finds a good combination of experimentation and accessibility. The album is filled with such a defined sound and tone which is both breezy yet contemplative, with poignant lyrics brimming with honesty and dread. At times, the record hits a lull, particularly in the later half. However,This album serves at Deerhunter's most complete and comprehensive record in nearly 10 years. The band finds a good combination of experimentation and accessibility. The album is filled with such a defined sound and tone which is both breezy yet contemplative, with poignant lyrics brimming with honesty and dread. At times, the record hits a lull, particularly in the later half. However, this record is much more complete and better paced than Fading Frontier. This was a surprisingly good record!… Expand
  8. bickybicky
    Mar 11, 2019
    10
    Whilst the band has been releasing albums of with sonic integrity since Halceyon’s Digest, experimenting with new sounds on each successionary album, this new album shows Deerhunter taking a slightly more radical step in a strong direction. Bradford’s lyrics have matured and the band structure their sounds to provide various anthems... big sounds, solid production!

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
82

Universal acclaim - based on 27 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 25 out of 27
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 27
  3. Negative: 0 out of 27
  1. Sputnikmusic
    Feb 1, 2019
    58
    The majority of this new record feels stuck in a chordal rut. The dynamic tension between the musical surface and the tonal depth is alive and well, but Disappeared serves as an excellent reminder that good rock music needs more than just ideas to thrive.
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  2. Under The Radar
    Jan 25, 2019
    80
    Underneath it all, Deerhunter are still a band that are completely beholden to music's ability to spiritually transcend even the worst state of things. If you really pay attention, you will be infected by this attitude, eat some hummus, and maybe start something yourself.
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  3. Paste Magazine
    Jan 25, 2019
    68
    Despite the heavy-handed intents, the album is surprisingly accessible overall. The arrangements generally maintain a pastoral pastiche, an uptempo feel that’s both compelling and catchy. Indeed, the shimmer that illuminates the vast majority of the material is generally elegiac.
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