Why Are You OK

Band of Horses - Why Are You OK
Critic Score
Based on 22 reviews
2016 Ratings: #630 / 1004
User Score
Based on 82 ratings
2016 Rank: #643
Liked by 5 people
June 10, 2016 / Release Date
LP / Format
Indie Rock / Genre
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CRITIC REVIEWS

83
Entertainment Weekly

For Why Are You Ok, their fifth studio album, Bridwell doesn’t so much as build off his earlier work as treat the group’s catalog like a grab bag.

80
The Guardian

After the mainstream ambitions of Infinite Arms and Mirage Rock, Band of Horses’s fifth album makes something of a triumphant return to the wide-eyed, dreamy vulnerability that marked the Seattle band’s first two records.

70
Drowned in Sound

It’s not they’ve gone back on themselves or regressed; it’s just that Band of Horses have naturally, and happily, managed to wind their way back home.

70
Uncut

It finds the group’s essential melancholy getting the upper hand in the long-ongoing struggle with their baser rock instincts: it is a record for darkness drawing in, for falling mercury, for “all the trees are turning gold”, as Bridwell has it on “Throw My Mess”.

70
Rolling Stone

The mood throughout is amiably diverse. Every Band of Horses record feels like mixing your dad's records with your records.

70
Under the Radar

While Why Are You OK may struggle to match the specific peaks of some of their previous work, its consistency, cohesion, and variety of songcraft breathes new spark into the band's flame and hints at a brighter, more expansive musical future.

67
Consequence of Sound

Though it sometimes gets lost in its own sleepy sweetness, Why Are You OK finds just enough of those grand moments of simplicity.

60
DIY

Band of Horses stray further into the realms of Americana but stick to a stadium rock template.

60
No Ripcord

Band of Horses don't exactly wander too far off path even if they at least contemplate the idea of taking any diverging paths. And you know what? At this point in their career it's an OK thing to do.

60
AllMusic

While certainly not complacent, they do seem to lack some of the hunger of their Sub Pop years and the broad scope of their Grammy-nominated Infinite Arms LP.

60
PopMatters

They may not be groundbreaking, sophisticated, or poetic in any sense of the word, but what they lack in complexity and nuance they make up for in solid, simple tracks that are as harmless as they are amiable.

60
Pitchfork

Lytle’s presence ultimately serves as a reminder of what you miss about Grandaddy rather than Band of Horses. The quirks are try-hard in a way that makes Why Are You OK? unfavorably compare to the recent triumphs in capricious, quasi-indie southern rock. 

SnowyFighter
63

Idk why are you asking that to me? Jeez >:(

As their most recent album as of 2021, this doesn’t really do much too different. It has better production which is nice. It has a really strong start with the opening track, which I think is excellent. The chill vibe has lush production, and the melody is memorable. It tries to do this sort of sound later in the album but it lacks some of that memorability. Solemn Oath is pretty good too. The rest is… forgettable. Not bad, just ... read more

Doofy
NR

'Why Are You Ok' (silly question) kicks off with the equally awkwardly named 'Dull Times/The Moon' and straight away the omens don't appear favourable for the fifth Band of Horses full length...but by the time this opening track concludes you might just be pleasantly surprised, as it finishes strongly in a style reminiscent of the debut.

So is this album a return to form? Of sorts. These songs at least motor along more than those on 'Mirage Rock' where much of the material felt limp and ... read more

Raiksheen
55

Meh

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Track List

1Dull Times / The Moon
7:00
80
2Solemn Oath
4:00
67
3Hag
4:32
75
4Casual Party
3:53
74
5In a Drawer
3:58
69
6Hold on Gimme a Sec
1:12
58
7Lying Under Oak
3:57
69
8Throw My Mess
3:13
73
9Whatever, Wherever
4:13
71
10Country Teen
3:21
67
11Barrel House
4:48
67
12Even Still
5:23
67
Total Length: 49 minutes

Year End Lists

#29/Albumism
#39/Rough Trade
#48/Earbuddy
#73/Fopp
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Added on: May 9, 2016