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Life of Pause
by
Life of Pause Image
Metascore
74

Generally favorable reviews - based on 25 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 31 Ratings

  • Summary: The third full-length release for the indie rock band led by Jack Tatum was recorded in Los Angeles and Stockholm.
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Stand out by the station Waiting for the claws to part It's been A very long time You understand My frustration And I can see the end in sight But... See the rest of the song lyrics
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 25
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 25
  3. Negative: 0 out of 25
  1. New Musical Express (NME)
    Mar 1, 2016
    80
    Such confident, experimental songwriting points to a rebirth for Wild Nothing, and means ‘Life Of Pause’ can be considered alongside indie records like Tame Impala’s ‘Currents’ and Unknown Mortal Orchestra’s ‘Multi-Love’.
  2. musicOMH.com
    Feb 16, 2016
    80
    Compared to the low-key and at times melancholic Nocturne, Life Of Pause is a rich and expansive step up that balances the old and the new perfectly to create Wild Nothing’s best album yet.
  3. AllMusic
    Feb 19, 2016
    80
    All the good stuff is still here, one might just have to do a little digging, hang in through a couple listens, and then the songs on Life of Pause will begin to connect with the head and the heart.
  4. Spin
    Feb 16, 2016
    70
    Confident, intimate, and weirdly glammy, Life of Pause is worth taking five for.
  5. Magnet
    Mar 30, 2016
    70
    It proves quickly to be a break for the better, though, forging its unique identity on account of Tatum’s ability to turn a tune in many more ways than one. [No. 129, p.61]
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  6. Pitchfork
    Feb 18, 2016
    65
    Tonally and instrumentally, the album is a change in style, but there is no moment of surprise; it still feels very predictable.
  7. Drowned In Sound
    Feb 18, 2016
    50
    It is hard to criticise such a well-crafted, enjoyable album that appears to have been made specifically with someone like me in mind. The thing is that in six weeks’ time it will be even harder to remember it.

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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. xdv
    Feb 21, 2016
    10
    Giving this a 10 was a hard decision to make. When I originally heard the lead single from this album, I didnt know what to think. I even putGiving this a 10 was a hard decision to make. When I originally heard the lead single from this album, I didnt know what to think. I even put off listening to this record for a few days before I finally gave in and sat down to listen. At first I was pretty impressed, but by the end of the day I had listened to the record at least four times all the way through. It was just what I was personally looking for. It reminded me a bit of the new Tame Impala record 'Currents', but Wild Nothing does a beautiful job of branding a unique sound that I have not seen anywhere else. Absolutely love this album and it was just what I was looking for.… Expand
  2. auteur55
    Feb 27, 2016
    9
    Love this. It's a definite grower which is not reflected in some of these reviews (who appear to have given it a cursory listen). Rich andLove this. It's a definite grower which is not reflected in some of these reviews (who appear to have given it a cursory listen). Rich and expansive is right. Many melodies bouncing in my head between listens. His best album.… Expand
  4. Gasphunter
    Feb 19, 2016
    9
    Beautiful and hunting, Pause might not be remembered as much as Pi but his adventure is so gripping it will tear you apart. Brought me back toBeautiful and hunting, Pause might not be remembered as much as Pi but his adventure is so gripping it will tear you apart. Brought me back to the days I was listening the The Shins although this time around Cut Copy has joined the march.… Expand
  5. jollasapph
    Mar 3, 2016
    7
    I discovered Wild Nothing through the singles leading up to the release. I am a big dream pop fan. After listening to a bit of Gemini andI discovered Wild Nothing through the singles leading up to the release. I am a big dream pop fan. After listening to a bit of Gemini and Nocturne, I really got into Wild Nothing's stuff. But one thing is for certain, Jack Tatum takes in a very different sound in this album. Life of Pause is easily Jack's most romantic, lovesick album yet, featuring lush and atmospheric sounds that, while dreamy in delivery, are deeply passionate in distant love. While these luscious instrumentals materialize beautifully on almost every track, Tatum's Vocals are much more upfront and apparent in this release. With these vocals, some rather bland lyrics come to light. Alien, while having one of my favorite instrumentals on the entire album, repeats a single stanza throughout the song - a song that I wish would have more lyrical depth through it. I guess the louder and more upfront tracks like "Reichpop" and "TV Queen" contain better lyrics, but the slower, dreamier tracks are held back on both the vocals and the lyrics. While I really liked many tracks on here, I found too often that the slower tracks were more underwhelming to me on this album, as opposed to sweeter sounds on Wild Nothing's previous albums that I preferred more. The album really matches the aesthetic of its cover too.

    Best tracks - Reichpop, TV Queen, Alien, To Know You    … Expand

Awards & Rankings

48
#48 Most Shared Album of 2016

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