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California Nights
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California Nights Image
Metascore
69

Generally favorable reviews - based on 26 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 33 Ratings

  • Summary: The third full-length release for the indie pop duo was produced by Wally Gagel.
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California Nights
I stay high all the time Just to get by I climb into the sky And my eyes, they cry California nights Make me feel so happy I could die But I try to... See the rest of the song lyrics
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 20 out of 26
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 26
  3. Negative: 0 out of 26
  1. Spin
    May 4, 2015
    80
    With songs and production this pumped, they’ll continue to make waves far outside their beloved home state.
  2. DIY Magazine
    May 1, 2015
    80
    Granted, they may not be reinventing the wheel, but the duo feel reinvigorated.
  3. The Line of Best Fit
    Apr 29, 2015
    75
    Like its predecessor, it’s a little too long, but California Nights reaffirms the things that Crazy for You had me believing and The Only Place had me doubting; that Cosentino is a fine songwriter with a keen ear for melody, that Bruno’s guitar work is the perfect foil for her.
  4. New Musical Express (NME)
    Apr 29, 2015
    70
    It’s not a perfect ride.... Cosentino’s honeyed vocal is the only true constant. It’s a radiating sunbeam.
  5. Exclaim
    May 4, 2015
    70
    The focused California Nights nevertheless cements Best Coast as one of the few bands capable of straddling the line between intimacy and mass appeal.
  6. Pitchfork
    May 6, 2015
    64
    California Nights is a professional album: heavy-ish, filled with hooks, somewhere between "fast enough to dance" and "slow enough to sigh to while looking out of a window."
  7. Q Magazine
    Apr 29, 2015
    40
    The polished alt-rock on show here may be serviceable and vaguely reminiscent of Hole circa Live Through This, but it also lacks any of the band's own DNA. [Jun 2015, p.100]
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User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 4
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 4
  3. Negative: 0 out of 4
  1. cubman25
    May 5, 2015
    9
    Best Coast's attempt at a more polished and hard rocking sound is mission accomplished. They come out with a more confident put together soundBest Coast's attempt at a more polished and hard rocking sound is mission accomplished. They come out with a more confident put together sound from their previous albums. Bethany still brings that melodic tone pining about loves lost and adored and of course the majesty of California. The guitars sound much bigger, i.e. on When Will I Change. I believe this album is going to play better to live crowds as Best Coast continues on their tour. A very enjoyable alt-rock album overall. Well done!… Expand
  2. BritishStink12
    May 6, 2015
    8
    Best Coast have proven with 'California Nights' that they are one of the foremost bands in the indie-pop genre and this super summery albumBest Coast have proven with 'California Nights' that they are one of the foremost bands in the indie-pop genre and this super summery album will sound awesome in the sunshine. 'Feeling Ok' has an awesome hook and this album is full of them, though the tracks do become a little samey at times. The title track 'California Nights' does provide the opportunity for the band to kick back though and this is a really woozy, moody tune that relaxes and enthrals all at once.… Expand
  4. Ricko
    Jul 2, 2018
    8
    After an amazing debut way back in 2010, Best Coast, either naturally or by design, changed direction with their reasonably decent 2nd album.After an amazing debut way back in 2010, Best Coast, either naturally or by design, changed direction with their reasonably decent 2nd album. In my opinion it didn't quite suit the duo and lacked the fun factor that made their debut so vital and enjoyable. Without being bad, "The Only Place" was disappointing next to "Crazy For You". Follow up EP "Fade Away", regained some of their debuts solar energy but couldn't quite repeat the trick of "Crazy For You". 6 years on from their initial releases the band seem to have made a concentrated effort to get back to the sunkissed surf pop that proved so successfull for them initially. Album number 3, "California Nights" is packed with catchy pop rock power chord riffs, bright vocals but with contrasting darker lyrical themes. While their earlier work often dealt with relationship problems and young love, there was always large amounts of fun and light heartedness going on. One of my favourite lines from "Crazy For You" was "I'm sorry I lost your favourite t-shirt, I'll buy you a new, one a better one". This summed up the purposefully immature yet appealling and fun perspective of the band in terms of relationships. "California Nights" deals more with themes of medication, anxiety and depression, jealousy and abandonement. Dark themes but matched with upbeat pop tunes, a trick the Smith's perfected in the 80's. Overall, "California Nights" is a highly enjoyable listen, if not wholly satisfying. You need to go in with your eyes open in terms of your expections for the album. Radiohead this is not but music doesn't always have to be about pushing the boundaries. Sometimes its just about enjoying some decent tunes.… Expand
  5. timothyturnter
    Jun 14, 2015
    7
    this album is everything i wanted it to be man, just a straight up fun, fuzzy, pop garage record. If you look at it like that, and just havethis album is everything i wanted it to be man, just a straight up fun, fuzzy, pop garage record. If you look at it like that, and just have fun it's great.… Expand

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