Sea of Worry
| Sea of Worry | ||||
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | November 8, 2019 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 46:19 | |||
| Label | The Flenser | |||
| Have a Nice Life chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Sea of Worry | ||||
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Sea of Worry is the third studio album by American band Have a Nice Life, released on November 8, 2019, on the Flenser.[1] It is their first album to feature a full band.[2]
Background and recording
The album was announced by the band in August 2019. Shortly after the announcement, on the 27th, the band released the title track as a single.[3] Three other singles were released in advance of the album: "Lords of Tresserhorn", on September 17;[4] "Science Beat", on October 15;[5] and "Dracula Bells", on November 7.[6]
Two of the tracks, "Trespassers W" and "Destinos", were re-recorded versions of songs that appeared on their 2009 compilation album Voids.[7] Dan Barrett had been working on producing "Destinos" by 2006 at the latest, according to a blog post.[8]
Musical style
The album has been described as more straightforward and accessible than the band's previous two LPs.[9][10][11][12] Similarly, it is significantly more polished and has higher production quality, a departure from the band's typical lo-fi sound.[7] Both Barrett and Macuga said that the album was heavily influenced by the British post-punk band the Chameleons.[13]
The album takes influence from several genres, varying from track to track. Songs like "Sea of Worry", "Science Beat", and "Dracula Bells" have been compared to post-punk, new wave, and gothic rock.[2][7][9][14] "Lords of Tresserhorn", according to Marika Zorzi of New Noise Magazine, "seamlessly blends their sweeping shoegaze/post-punk/experimental sound" in a way reminiscent of their earlier releases,[15] while Bill Peel of Kill Your Stereo noted a post-rock influence.[9] The album also features an instrumental track: "Everything We Forget".[16] "Trespassers W" reminded Macuga of the band Hey Mercedes, which was one of the first groups that he bonded with Barrett over.[13]
Album themes
Much like the band's previous releases, many songs feature lyrics about depression.[9] Dan Barrett said that the central theme of the album is: "Jesus Christ, it’s just hard to be alive right now."[17]
Moreover, several songs discuss religion, particularly Christianity. "Dracula Bells" and "Trespassers W" both feature lyrics critical of the religion,[16] while "Destinos" begins with a recording of a preacher lecturing about God sending sinners to hell.[9]
The name of the track "Lords of Tresserhorn" is a reference to Magic: the Gathering.[9] The song was inspired by Barrett's children.[17]
Critical reception
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Kill Your Stereo | 70/100[9] |
| Pitchfork | 7.4/10[7] |
| Sputnikmusic | 2.8/5[14] |
| Wolfgang Magazin | 5.4/10[18] |
The album was praised by Aristocrazia Webzine, who wrote that "being sad has never been so beautiful."[19] Other outlets that gave the album positive feedback include Pitchfork,[7] Spectrum Culture,[12] and Stereogum.[1]
The release was panned by Sputnikmusic, calling it "predictable".[14]
Track listing
All tracks are written by Dan Barrett and Tim Macuga.
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Sea of Worry" | 4:40 |
| 2. | "Dracula Bells" | 7:44 |
| 3. | "Science Beat" | 5:35 |
| 4. | "Trespassers W" | 4:49 |
| 5. | "Everything We Forget" | 4:12 |
| 6. | "Lords of Tresserhorn" | 6:07 |
| 7. | "Destinos" | 13:12 |
| Total length: | 46:19 | |
Personnel
Have a Nice Life
- Dan Barrett
- Tim Macuga
Band
- Joe Streeter – guitar
- Myke Cameron – bass
- Rich Otero – drums, synthesizer
References
- ^ a b Breihan, Tom (November 8, 2019). "Have A Nice Life Release New Album 'Sea Of Worry': Stream". Stereogum. Retrieved February 26, 2021.
- ^ a b Roesler, Brian (November 20, 2019). "Have a Nice Life : Sea of Worry". Treble Magazine. Retrieved February 26, 2021.
- ^ Sacher, Andrew (August 27, 2019). "Have A Nice Life share title track off 'Sea of Worry'". BrooklynVegan. Retrieved February 26, 2021.
- ^ BrooklynVegan Staff (September 17, 2019). "19 New Songs Out Today". BrooklynVegan. Retrieved February 26, 2021.
- ^ BrooklynVegan Staff (October 15, 2019). "18 New Songs Out Today". BrooklynVegan. Retrieved February 26, 2021.
- ^ BrooklynVegan Staff (November 7, 2019). "16 New Songs Out Today". BrooklynVegan. Retrieved February 26, 2021.
- ^ a b c d e Gordon, Arielle (November 12, 2019). "Have a Nice Life: Sea of Worry". Pitchfork. Retrieved February 26, 2021.
- ^ Richards, Adam (November 26, 2016). "Have A Nice Life – Sea of Worry Review". The New Englander. Retrieved February 27, 2021.
- ^ a b c d e f g Peel, Bill (November 13, 2019). "Have A Nice Life – Sea Of Worry". Kill Your Stereo. Retrieved February 26, 2021.
- ^ Thomas, Olly (November 10, 2019). "Album Review: Have A Nice Life – Sea Of Worry". Kerrang!. Retrieved February 27, 2021.
- ^ Costa, Bruno (November 11, 2019). "Have A Nice Life - Sea Of Worry". MUSIC&RIOTS Magazine. Retrieved February 27, 2021.
- ^ a b Welsh, Evan (November 21, 2019). "Have a Nice Life: Sea of Worry". Spectrum Culture. Retrieved February 27, 2021.
- ^ a b "Sputnikmusic - Interview: Dan and Tim (HANL) « Staff Blog". Retrieved December 9, 2023.
- ^ a b c Winesburgohio (November 7, 2019). "Review: Have a Nice Life - Sea of Worry". Sputnikmusic. Retrieved February 26, 2021.
- ^ Zorzi, Marika (September 17, 2019). "Have A Nice Life Unveil Soul-Stirring New Single, "Lords Of Tresserhorn"". New Noise Magazine. Retrieved February 27, 2021.
- ^ a b Alber, Alison (December 7, 2019). "Have A Nice Life - Sea of Worry". MXDWN. Retrieved February 27, 2021.
- ^ a b "Have a Nice Life On Their Anxiety-Driven Third Album, "Sea of Worry"". Bandcamp Daily. November 11, 2019. Retrieved July 23, 2023.
- ^ Nikolić, Katarina (November 18, 2019). "Record Review | Have a Nice Life – Sea of Worry". Wolfgang Magazin. Retrieved February 27, 2021.
- ^ Schlemihl (December 26, 2019). "Have A Nice Life explore fear and hope in a "Sea Of Worry"". Aristocrazia Webzine. Retrieved February 26, 2021.