Sign In to rate and review
Critic Reviews
90
Carefully crafted but not overworked, Ill at Ease isn't just some of Preoccupations' most consistent music -- it's a welcome companion for times when the world seems like it's ending.
1y
72
On the Canadian post-punks’ nervy fifth album, even apocalyptically grim lyrics feel like an appeal to humanity and romance.
1y
70
Jittery, danceable, and cathartic, Ill at Ease soundtracks our collectively frayed, perpetually activated sympathetic nervous systems.
12mo
60
Ill at Ease is the result of a band that has clearly done its homework and delved into sounds that they’ve obviously loved for some time. Unfortunately, they’ve layered that love over top of everything that made the band interesting 10 years ago.
1y
THE EARTH SHAKS UNDER THEIR FEET
The pit of dark things to write about has apparently not dried up and the lyrics, loaded with all the anxieties, in every single song seem to be the only way for Preoccupations to get through the day.
The way they convey these feelings, or try to do so, is too weak and not very direct.
Some songs are just a slight reflection of themselves looking for a way without finding it and end when they should still be starting.
Is the ground about to fall under the ... read more
Preoccupations remain in that nebulous space of "yeah I like it, but not as much as I think I could" for me. But they did name a song after me this time, so I appreciate that.
I wanted to give this album a try for two reasons. Firstly, I REALLY love the vibe of its cover art. Secondly, I desperately want to fix the streak of failed and mediocre post-punk albums this year had on offer. Unfortunately by far the best thing about Ill at ease is its cover art , and it doesn't lift the post-punk curse of 2025.
The latest of Preoccupations is an all over the place, yet underwhelming genre excercise. It sounds like they are pulling all the tricks expected of a ... read more
Good bit of Depeche mode worship, slower than my typical post punk taste but I enjoyed this for what it was
No conocía a esta banda canadiense. Me llamó la atención Focus por su parecido a sonidos de The The. Posteriomente, el disco tiene una mezcla de estilos que no me desagrada. Me gusta bastante Sken, que bien podría ser una canción de Interpol. Krem 2 y Bastards también están entre las mejores junto con Andromeda. La verdad que el disco mantiene un nivel bastante aceptable en todos sus temas, por lo que resulta interesante.
little too 80s poppy for me, sounds a bit like they’ve sanded the edge off of their sound.
Tags
Become a Subscriber
Subscriber badge, no ads + more benefits.
Subscriber badge, no ads + more benefits.
Advertisement
Track List
| 1 | Focus 3:32 | 83 |
| 2 | Bastards 4:29 | 83 |
| 3 | Ill at Ease 5:29 | 81 |
| 4 | Retrograde 5:25 | 74 |
| 5 | Andromeda 4:48 | 84 |
| 6 | Panic 5:47 | 78 |
| 7 | Sken 4:41 | 74 |
| 8 | Krem2 4:03 | 79 |
Total Length: 38 minutes
