Creature of Habit

This record fits so beautifully in Courtney Barnett's discography — an album that's come about with real purpose and meaning.

Deep, fresh breaths and sweet familiarity on the Melburnian’s fourth.

No matter how confusing or disorienting it might be to have all of these feelings at once, merely accepting this as how her life is going to be from now on leads to a more formulaic approach. Fortunately, Barnett tackles everything head-on, and it does wonders for the overall charm of the record.

Mixing habitual anxieties and a kind of caught-in-the-moment clarity with intuitive fluency, Creature Of Habit is the sound of an in-character transition smartly captured, bottled with instinctive assurance.

It’s still recognisably Barnett - observational, dryly funny, emotionally candid - but presented through a process that feels newly energising.

Barnett’s fourth record Creature of Habit sees her replace rip-roaring rock with earnest self-reflection, all while leaning into a softer sonic palette.

Like an old friend who has finally unearthed their true self, Creature of Habit sees Courtney Barnett more comfortable than ever in her vibrant new outfit, serving up tidal waves of wit and wonder that will quench the thirst of fans old and new.

Singer songwriter celebrates relocation to LA with new creative direction on fourth LP.

It’s been a long wait for new Barnett material, but it’s been worth it. By deftly combining angular rhythms, spiky guitars and moments of lush indie pop, she’s managed to marry her ever-maturing songwriting and trademark lyricism into something that genuinely resonates — but is also just damn fun to listen to.

The Australian’s best album since her debut is a soundtrack to starting again.

It may ask more of listeners who aren’t already attuned to where Barnett is coming from. Fortunately, that doesn’t detrack from the overall success of the record.

While it isn’t sufficiently bold to maintain Barnett’s enviable streak of 8/10 ratings here, Creature of Habit is another respectable entry in her increasingly understated and overlooked discography.

Musically and lyrically, the Aussie rocker’s fourth album is a treatise on why humans are such habitual creatures; she seldom strays from familiar ground but never to a fault.

With a guest appearance from Waxahatchee and production from John Congleton, the latest from the Australian singer-songwriter gently furthers her career-long search for inner peace.