It Won't Be Like This All the Time
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It Won't Be Like This All the Time Image
Metascore
84

Universal acclaim - based on 15 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.1

Universal acclaim- based on 38 Ratings

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  • Summary: The fifth full-length release for the Scottish indie rock quintet was produced by band's guitarist, Andy MacFarlane.
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 15
  3. Negative: 0 out of 15
  1. Drowned In Sound
    Jan 14, 2019
    100
    It’s a determined, seductive experience, brimming with belief and completely torching everything they’ve done before. As of now, The Twilight Sad are basically untouchable.
  2. The Skinny
    Jan 11, 2019
    100
    This is still the band we fell in love with over a decade ago: confessional, honest, enthralling. It's just that this time out they're sleeker and sharper than before.
  3. The Line of Best Fit
    Jan 15, 2019
    95
    It Won/t Be Like This All the Time (IWBLTATT) is another dauntless step forward, unflinchingly embracing the core aspects of their sound, while boldly incorporating loftier ideas. It is not some grandiose attempt at a knockout punch or some cheap leap at the mainstream; you cannot fake sentiment, or force people to feel something. IWBLTATT is a laser guided arrow to the heart; an enveloping noise that chips away at you over time.
  4. Paste Magazine
    Jan 17, 2019
    82
    This is their most listenable album, one that dials back the heavy-handed metaphors and overwhelming musical gloom for something more danceable and upbeat, though still dour as ever lyrically.
  5. New Musical Express (NME)
    Feb 6, 2019
    80
    Rather than being owned by their demons, The Twilight Sad have created an 11-track exorcism to master them. It’s a full-bodied and inescapable mood-piece, and a visceral account of their victory in the fight to exist. We should feel grateful to have them.
  6. AllMusic
    Jan 22, 2019
    80
    As it acknowledges current hardships and allow the tiniest glimmer of hope for tomorrow, It Won't Be Like This All the Time proves the Twilight Sad are making some of their most vital music more than a decade into their career.
  7. Mojo
    Jan 11, 2019
    60
    Their initial torrid confluence of My Bloody Valentine and Joy Division here shapeshifts more towards "synth-assisted stadium nu-gaze," with odd Kraut-y hints of early Simple Minds, and frequent echoes of their new found patron: fune-real The Arbor is pure Disintegration, while shimmering Keep It All To Yourself has Kiss Me! Kiss Me! Kiss Me!'s hi-tech dazzle. [Feb 2019, p.88]
    All this publication's reviews

See all 15 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. jesusaur
    Jan 20, 2019
    10
    Been a Sad fan since 2011. They've never produced a bad album but this one is something else. It flows beautifully from track to track, theBeen a Sad fan since 2011. They've never produced a bad album but this one is something else. It flows beautifully from track to track, the lyrics are more direct than before which is a refreshing change and James delivers the vocal performance of his entire career. A lovely post-punk, noise rock Scottish gem that has something for everyone.… Expand
  2. Borachon
    Jan 23, 2019
    10
    These guys should be way bigger than they are. Fourteen Autumns and Fifteen Winters was almost 12 years ago and I still scratch my head as toThese guys should be way bigger than they are. Fourteen Autumns and Fifteen Winters was almost 12 years ago and I still scratch my head as to why they didn't become massive off the back of that album, which still sounds amazing today. This new record is definitely their most well-rounded and cohesive album. The sound they're producing now is incredible; Andy's guitar creates thrillingly varied waves of noise complemented perfectly by the industrial synths and droning bass lines and James's lyrics are more accessible, not that I don't love the metaphors of Fourteen Autumns. The songs are more accessible and have more obvious hooks without cynically shooting for the mainstream. This is a special album with a depth that rewards repeat listens. Life's seldom fair, but if there's any justice this album will find them the bigger audience they richly deserve.… Expand
  4. Lajaleaa
    Jul 12, 2019
    8
    ( 88/100 )

    Me gustaría pensar que no tengo tendencias depresivas pero rayos, The Twilight Sad es un sonido cuyo peligro llena de adrenalina    ( 88/100 )

    Me gustaría pensar que no tengo tendencias depresivas pero rayos, The Twilight Sad es un sonido cuyo peligro llena de adrenalina mi imaginación. La banda es de Scotland y solo he tenido el placer de conocer su más reciente álbum: "IT WON'T BE LIKE THIS ALL THE TIME". La magnificencia de este Post Punk muy Gothic, que solo se puede describir con emociones más que con instrumentos, envuelve a todo el proyecto en un ambiente espacial por ser vasto, oscuro, estático y cómodo para quienes aprecien el consuelo de las sombras. Por otro lado, también tiene tonos de pánico y tensión que son los que logran intensidad en la música. Son varios tracks los que prueban que la banda contempla la necesidad de encontrar un terreno medio en el cual puedan profundizar y enaltecer su visión. Y así es como escarban una tumba de un dolor oprimido tan palpable que los gritos de piedad parecen superar la velocidad del silencio. El piano u órgano es el héroe de la expresividad en el álbum, las cuerdas logran complementar perfectamente la sensación cósmica de la atmósfera al agregarle mucho filo al sonido y la batería es la que aporta energía. En conjunto, es un disco que no solo vale la pena escuchar, sino que apelará al lado vulnerable y ansioso de aquellos que valoren el arte del duelo. Quiero aclarar: esto no es Doom, Symphonic, Atmospheric o ninguna otra clase de música Metal. Estoy consciente de que el Metal es un árbol con ramas y raíces aún más torcidas y filosas que me gustaría conocer mejor. Pero movimientos como éste y el reciente álbum de Daughters "You Wont Get What You Want" con canciones como "Satan In The Wait", son la sutil voz de la maldad expresada a través de una música que demuestra que el dolor es, de hecho, apasionante.
    -
    I would like to think that I don't have depressive tendencies but damn, The Twilight Sad is a sound which danger fills with adrenaline my imagination. The band is from Scotland and I only have the pleasure to know their newest album: "IT WON'T BE LIKE THIS ALL THE TIME". The magnificence of this very Gothic Post Punk music, that can be better described with emotions more than the instruments used, wrap around the project in a spatial ambient because of being vast, obscure, static and comfortable for those who appreciate the consolation of the shadows. On the other hand, it also has panic and tension tones which achieve to add intensity to the music. Several tracks are the ones that prove that the band considers the necessity to find a middle ground in which they can dig in and grow up their vision. And that's when they dig a grave full of oppressed pain so palpable that the screams of mercy seem to go beyond the speed of silence. The piano or the organ is the hero of the expressivity of the album, the cords achieve to complement perfectly the cosmic sensation of the atmosphere by adding a lot of edge to the sound and the drums are the ones that provide the energy. Altogether, this is an album that not just is well worth to hear, but it will appeal to the vulnerable and anxious side of those who value the art of the duel. I want to clarify, this is not Doom, Symphonic, Atmospheric or any other kind of Metal music. I'm well aware that Metal is a tree with more twisted and edgy branches and roots that I would like to know better. But movements like this and the new album from Daughters, "You Won't Get What You Want" with songs like "Satan In The Wait", are the subtle voice of evilness expressed through music that proves that pain is, in fact, exciting.    … Expand
  5. Ricko
    Mar 18, 2020
    8
    From the evidence here, The Twilight Sad know how to be epic and have a great way with melody. They also know how to create a mood and thatFrom the evidence here, The Twilight Sad know how to be epic and have a great way with melody. They also know how to create a mood and that mood is as dark as a North Atlantic Winter. This album radiates gloom but in a way that makes it sound colossal. Reminiscent of The Cure's darkest stuff ("Pornography" for example) in terms of the vibes created and how they immerse the listener but with a sound that is their own. Of the 11 songs present, there are a few highlights but more importantly there isn't one track that could be classed as a dud, each track has its place and has been well thought out. I certainly see myself delving further into this bands back catalog on the back of this. This band are doing the dark post punk thing better than anyone else at the moment.… Expand

Awards & Rankings

48
#48 Best Album of 2019

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