Always Tomorrow
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66

Generally favorable reviews - based on 18 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 14 Ratings

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  • Summary: The fourth full-length release from the indie rock duo of Bethany Cosentino and Bobb Bruno was produced with Carlos de la Garza and Justin Meldal-Johnsen.
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 18
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 18
  3. Negative: 1 out of 18
  1. Consequence
    Feb 26, 2020
    83
    Deeply satisfying on multiple levels, Always Tomorrow is great guitar pop and a bracing account of one person’s struggle to construct a new life. Free of sugar-coating or easy answers, it should speak to everyone who wants to take better care of themselves.
  2. The Skinny
    Feb 19, 2020
    80
    That there’s room for experimentation, too (see the spoken word outro to Graceless Kids, or the spacey closer Used to Be) speaks to her confidence. This is the record she wanted us to think California Nights was.
  3. The Guardian
    Feb 21, 2020
    80
    Their finest album, full of the tough, hooky rock that made stars of the Go-Gos, the Bangles and ‘Til Tuesday in the 80s.
  4. Pitchfork
    Feb 24, 2020
    65
    It’s Cosentino’s musicianship and knack for melody that prevents these songs from turning to fluff.
  5. Uncut
    Feb 20, 2020
    60
    As always, her lyrics are unambiguous - too on-the-nose for some - but there's an admirable unfussiness to it all. [Apr 2020, p.23]
    All this publication's reviews
  6. New Musical Express (NME)
    Feb 19, 2020
    60
    ‘Always Tomorrow’ boasts a handful of punchy, promising songs but it’s frustratingly unambitious in scope. When the album treads old ground, the ideas are stale. Hopefully a bigger rejuvenation is on the horizon.
  7. musicOMH.com
    Feb 19, 2020
    30
    Despite it taking four years to come out, pretty much all of the songs on Always Tomorrow are forgettable, and made up of riffs so basic and hooks so anonymous that you’ll probably end up wishing they’d have waited a little longer.

See all 18 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 5
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 5
  3. Negative: 0 out of 5
  1. Malts18
    Aug 17, 2020
    9
    This album is far superior across the board lyrically to anything Bethany has put out in the past. These songs are polished and ready to beThis album is far superior across the board lyrically to anything Bethany has put out in the past. These songs are polished and ready to be heard on a broad scale. This takes what California Nights did and ups the ante. The whole album is a fun and cool listen. Just really enjoyed it and it will be in the running for my Album of the Year, I'd bet, come December. Put me down for a 9 out of 10.… Expand
  2. Lajaleaa
    Mar 30, 2020
    8
    ( 80/100 )

    Aunque al principio se notaba un poco cliché, la valor principal de este álbum está en la extensión y cuidado de la    ( 80/100 )

    Aunque al principio se notaba un poco cliché, la valor principal de este álbum está en la extensión y cuidado de la ambientalización o el tamaño del ambiente musical. A lo que me refiero es que la música de "Always Tomorrow" se siente bien explorada, bien compuesta y hay cierta aura de grandeza que se le agradece a la energía de la voz de Bethany Cosentino y la euforia que se nota en los instrumentos de Bobb Bruno. Junto a una producción de Carlos De La Garza, Best Coast juega con el cliché del Rock y presentan un grupo de canciones que se moldean a la intención y emoción de este duo.
    -
    Even if in the beginning it can be noticed a little bit cliche, the main value of this album is in the extension and the carefulness in the size of the musical ambient. What I mean is that the music of "Always Tomorrow" feels well explored, well composed and there is a certain aura of bigness thanks to the energy in Bethany Cosentino's voice and the euphoria in the instruments of Bobb Bruno. Along with a production of Carlos De La Garza, Best Coast plays with the cliche of Alternative Rock and presents a group of songs that mold to the intention and emotion of this duo.    … Expand
  4. MusicGuyMack
    Mar 3, 2020
    7
    Vastly improved lyricism and flirtations throughout with new genres like '60s-style Flower Power pop and Go-Go's-esque new wave see Best CoastVastly improved lyricism and flirtations throughout with new genres like '60s-style Flower Power pop and Go-Go's-esque new wave see Best Coast lent a new lease on life, largely succeeding in walking themselves back from the brink of creative bankruptcy.

    Choice Cuts: "Everything Has Changed", "For The First Time", "Graceless Kids", "Seeing Red"    … Expand
  5. GuitarPen
    Mar 16, 2020
    7
    Following a five-year hiatus after their critically acclaimed 2015 release California Nights, the low-fi beach-goth California duo haveFollowing a five-year hiatus after their critically acclaimed 2015 release California Nights, the low-fi beach-goth California duo have returned with Always Tomorrow. A less ambitious, yet more cutting and intimate collection, Best Coast deliver their trademark plainspoken lyrics and 60’s flower power-pop musicianship to pleasing effect.

    Bethany Consentino’s vocals emit a Suzanna Hoffs soulful and sunburnt vibe while guitarist/multi-instrumentalist Bobb Bruno’s guitar work cleverly sets the scene, never outshining the vocals or breaking the shared bond.

    When the focus is on a simple groove and soulful melody, the sonic experience really escalates. Tracks like “Roller Coaster,” “Everything Has Changed,” and “True” exemplify this focus. “Master Of My Own Mind” is a standout track reminiscent of 2015’s hit “Feeling OK.” The lyrics are positive and inspiring, evoking the struggle and ultimate overcoming of one’s own demons and low self-esteem. It also includes some very clever tempo changes which, when combined with the different pop textures of the song, make it a compelling listen.

    There are also moments when Always Tomorrow seems a bit too ambitious. When you put too many different fruits in a smoothie, you end up unable to identify which individual fruits are in it. It ends up being a fruit smoothie. Songs such as “Graceless Kids,” “Different Light,” and “Make it Last” suffer from one too many ingredients. When Best Coast use fewer ingredients, the end result is the tastiest of treats.

    As a whole, Always Tomorrow is a terrific album. The music and lyrics accompany each other like best friends, and the infectious hooks sink deeper into your consciousness after every listen. This reviewer especially enjoys and respects bands who take a revisionist approach to modern music. At their best, Best Coast taps into the surf and pop sensibilities of the ’60s and ‘70’s and inject a female perspective, which was so rare during that time. What that means for their fans is that we get to realize what it would be like if female artists had more opportunity back in the day. It may have unearthed bands like Best Coast to give fans of the Beach Boys, The Four Seasons, and others a unique and visceral alternative.    … Expand
  6. Ricko
    Apr 15, 2020
    6
    I have followed Best Coast, album by album, plus EP's since their debut. "Crazy For You" was such a breath of fresh air and one of the mostI have followed Best Coast, album by album, plus EP's since their debut. "Crazy For You" was such a breath of fresh air and one of the most fun records I had heard in a long time. While I have always checked out and often physically bought their records since, the fun has only been there is glimpses on Best Coast records and "fresh" is one of the last words that comes to mind. "California Nights" was an improvement on sophomore effort "The Only Place" but with a sizable gap of 5 years since I was interested to see how Best Coast would emerge in 2020. The answer is exactly the same. It's meat and potatoes powerchord pop with little or no flair. It's pleasant and very listenable but one dimensional. To use a food comparison, its like eating a fast food meal. Enjoyable at the time but your aware what your eating has no nutritional value. Tastes decent and almost addictive but when its gone you feel nothing except regret because you know you've just consumed lots of sugar, salt and fat and not a lot else. I say this as someone who likes both trips to fast food places and Best Coast records. "Always Tomorrow" is fine.… Expand

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