Hope Downs
by Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever
  • Record Label: Sub Pop
  • Release Date: Jun 15, 2018
User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 27 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 25 out of 27
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 27
  3. Negative: 2 out of 27
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  1. Ricko
    Oct 16, 2018
    8
    "Hope Downs" opens with a bang as the blistering "An Air Conditioned Man" opens proceedings. This is a glorious piece of jangly indie rock, hints of Joe Strummer if he had grown up on a beach kind of vibe. "Talking Straight" continues this impressive start to the album, melody drenched guitars, passionate vocals and intensity throughout. There are a couple of more serious high points on"Hope Downs" opens with a bang as the blistering "An Air Conditioned Man" opens proceedings. This is a glorious piece of jangly indie rock, hints of Joe Strummer if he had grown up on a beach kind of vibe. "Talking Straight" continues this impressive start to the album, melody drenched guitars, passionate vocals and intensity throughout. There are a couple of more serious high points on the album but the general standard is really good throughout. For a debut, it's got the brilliant energy that should be a minimum requirement but it also packs a serious punch. Frantic songs yet full of quality, mature sound yet remaining fun, accessible yet complex. This is straight up indie guitar stuff but if that's what floats your boat then this is super stuff.… Expand
  2. charliequaker
    Feb 23, 2019
    10
    Following two excellent EPs from 2017, the debut album from this Australian band continues to move them to the front of the pack. The songs are fresh and lively, combining buoyant rhythms and jangle-pop melodies with atonal guitar chords, rollicking lead licks and a dark, quirky energy flow. On the first track alone, you get a Motown bass run, angular psych/noise guitar riffs and urgentlyFollowing two excellent EPs from 2017, the debut album from this Australian band continues to move them to the front of the pack. The songs are fresh and lively, combining buoyant rhythms and jangle-pop melodies with atonal guitar chords, rollicking lead licks and a dark, quirky energy flow. On the first track alone, you get a Motown bass run, angular psych/noise guitar riffs and urgently deadpan indie vocals. And that’s just the start of one captivatingly creative song after another. Sometimes recalls bands like Blank Realm, The Strokes, Dick Diver, Scott & Charlene’s Wedding, The Feelies, Television Personalities, Salad Boys, Parquet Courts. With its consistently strong songwriting, pervasive sense of edgy free-flowing fun and fluid tremolo pop twang “Hope Downs” has tapped into something special. Each song feels like it could keep going forever—and you wish it would. Highly Recommended.… Expand
  3. the2ndquarter
    May 27, 2020
    10
    Absolutely flawless from start to finish. One of the best albums of the decade.

Awards & Rankings

64
#64 Best Album of 2018
69
#69 Most Shared Album of 2018

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
84

Universal acclaim - based on 19 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 19
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 19
  3. Negative: 0 out of 19
  1. Sputnikmusic
    Jun 25, 2018
    80
    It’s the sound of musicians that know exactly what they want to be.
    Read full review
  2. The 405
    Jun 19, 2018
    75
    With Hope Downs, Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever have adroitly taken their trademark sound and expanded it into a thoroughly enjoyable album--and they’ve done it in rapid time.
    Read full review
  3. Spin
    Jun 18, 2018
    80
    Even at their most fervent, the characters of Hope Downs remain soaked in sun, able to convince themselves that one great night could be enough to set them straight again. At about 35 minutes, Hope Downs is a brief vacation, and so are many of its songs.
    Read full review
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