American Football are still racked with insecurity, but now they have the wisdom and language to express it more incisively than ever, musically and lyrically.
LP3 isn’t prey to the same beast, and this is a good thing, because it allows us just a little bit more breathing room to see it for what it is: a striking display of talent by a band honing their skills with new brushes.
This isn’t a full departure from the American Football sound, but the band successfully traverse new territory.
The dazzling third album from the stalwarts of Midwestern emo does away the band’s self-mythology and takes bleary, bold steps toward a new dawn.
American Football build on their distinct craft for creating pop songs out of odd time signatures, seamlessly weaving multi-minute epics without ever feeling overblown such as on Silhouettes, cementing the band's return as a success.
American Football have always found themselves sitting comfortably in different niches. ‘LP3’ stretches this further still, incorporating fuzzy shoegaze and metronomic post-rock, expanding the palette with rich and vibrant colours.
American Football have matured, but what remains unchanged is their ability to gently tug the heartstrings.
This album is an advancement rather than a return to form. Despite their previous effort struggling against the weight of the band's dormancy, this album is a moving experience that brings with it a sense of fading youth.
LP3 is a house built brick by brick with patient songwriting - lush arrangements that blossom over a lengthy period of time, cultivating in fully fleshed out songs.
It’s the sound of a band breaking the reunion mould, making firm strides forward and leaving their legacy in the dust.
American Football (LP3)’s sound is more expansive than ever, production is slick and Kinsella’s lyrics have matured along with him.
It's easily their most relaxed and thematically cohesive record, with darker undertones than expected, even for a band known to make emo rock.
Unafraid to experiment amongst all the traditionalist, lovelorn expression, the ‘American Football’ of 2019 is a record both classic in intonation, and future-facing in intent. No longer a band of nostalgia bangers, American Football are back at the top of the pile.
Following a disappointing comeback album in 2016, American Football shows promise once again with the dreamier LP3.
Depending on who you are, LP3 might be the perfect introduction to the cult of American Football. If you are already well versed in the hymn sheet, this might be a Marmite album.
Anyone over the age of 40 should recognize most of what they're singing about, and even if you don't, the sweeping melancholy and epic presentation should be enough to make this deep dive into relaxed angst a journey worth taking for the third time.
The band’s performances are super tight, but with song-writing providing little in the way of memorability, American Football have missed the goalposts on LP3.
altho this is my least fave album from American Football, i still appreciate the simplicity of this LP. my inner emo has respawn again.
I miss the house where’d it go :(
American Football’s third and most recent release is absolutely fantastic. This album genuinely feels like a journey. As much as I miss the house, that album cover perfectly resembles where this album takes you. The guitars are so fucking beautiful. Idk if I’ve ever heard guitars sound as crispy and sweet. The best song on here by far to me is the opener, Silhouettes. That song is a masterclass in atmosphere and dynamics. Just absolutely ... read more
this was amazing. holy shit the dreamy atmosphere and dream pop influence is beautiful and incredible. mike kinsella is one of if not the most influential musicians of all time. this album ofc not as good as their magnum opus lp1 but this is great and more consistently great than lp2.
besides the fantastic opening track, everything else sounds quite safe, but understandably so because it still sounds so good and dreamy
1 | Silhouettes 7:21 | 93 |
2 | Every Wave to Ever Rise 5:54 feat. Elizabeth Powell | 86 |
3 | Uncomfortably Numb 4:10 feat. Hayley Williams | 92 |
4 | Heir Apparent 5:53 | 87 |
5 | Doom in Full Bloom 7:48 | 88 |
6 | I Can't Feel You 4:47 feat. Rachel Goswell | 86 |
7 | Mine to Miss 5:23 | 82 |
8 | Life Support 5:57 | 82 |
#5 | / | Sputnikmusic |
#9 | / | Norman Records |
#12 | / | NBHAP |
#16 | / | BrooklynVegan |
#34 | / | MondoSonoro |
#37 | / | Kerrang! |
#37 | / | No Ripcord |
#57 | / | Under the Radar |
/ | Alternative Press |