It's an album for clear nights where the universe's beauty and sheer scale can be pulled into widescreen focus.
Splitting the difference between War on Drugs and Death Cab for Cutie, the latest from the Brooklyn band offers indie rock at its most familiar and instantly gratifying.
While A Billion Little Lights as a whole is not as elegantly cohesive as Wild Pink's past work, the starry-eyed melodies shine stronger and more confidently than ever.
Wild Pink started off by making small scale, meditative versions of songs you might envisage being blasted at a football field, and A Billion Little Lights ups the scope without sacrificing their central pensive nature.
Lyrical references to stargazing, sprawling jasmine and the passage of time paint a picture of the infinite, and our small place in it, that is heightened by the band’s soaring melodies.
Without seeming pretentious or self-indulgent, A Billion Little Lights is a roomy and spacious effort that fits bashfully into the existing corpus of contemporary indie.
A Billion Little Lights is a good album when heard in isolation, but it pales in comparison to those albums that inspired its creation.
The execution isn’t quite perfect - at times, you can feel the record trying, as if it’s labouring under its own weight. But the band, and particularly Ross, deliver it with such honesty that that much can be forgiven.
I was pretty nervous for this release since Wild Pink's last album means a lot to me and the instant grat tracks weren't doing a lot to hold my attention. Of course I was foolish to be worried cause what the fuck do I know. The band still sounds amazing and I'm sure this will rival "Yolk in the Fur" after repeat listens. They still are my number one band to listen to while driving at night or in the snow. It's the perfect atmosphere for their music. They're so tranquil and thought ... read more
This put me in a good mood
Favorite Track: The Shining But Tropical
Least Favorite Track: Track Mud
The safest and easiest Indie Rock you’ll hear this year but by Jove if it works it works.
Dunno how missed this earlier in the year but I’ve been smashing this past week with the sun out. I’m getting a lot of Owen vibes if he just suddenly decided to listen to a shit ton of Americana. Twinkly guitars with insanely strong chorus’ and hooks. What’s not to like?
Fav Track: Amalif
Least Fav Track: Bigger Than Christmas
1 | The Wind Was Like A Train 2:38 | 72 |
2 | Bigger Than Christmas 5:04 | 51 |
3 | The Shining But Tropical 4:51 | 84 |
4 | Amalfi 4:16 | 80 |
5 | Oversharers Anonymous 4:50 | 80 |
6 | You Can Have It Back 3:23 | 80 |
7 | Family Friends 3:53 | 60 |
8 | Track Mud 4:23 | 60 |
9 | Pacific City 3:58 | 73 |
10 | Die Outside 4:01 | 67 |
#4 | / | The Alternative |
#25 | / | Chorus.fm |
#26 | / | Our Culture |
/ | Atwood Magazine | |
/ | Uproxx |