Better Nature
Better Nature is the fourth studio album by Los Angeles alternative rock band Silversun Pickups. The album was produced by Jacknife Lee,[7] and was released on September 25, 2015. It is the first of the band's albums to be released on their own label, New Machine Records; as well as their first to be supported by a Pledgemusic campaign. It is also the group's first album to feature a song under four minutes in length.[8] The album was announced on July 15, 2015.[9] The lead single for the album, "Nightlight," was released to radio on August 6, 2015. It was accompanied by a music video, directed by Mark Pellington and starring Boardwalk Empire actor Meg Steedle.[10] The album's second single, "Circadian Rhythm (Last Dance)," was premiered via The Daily Beast on September 10, 2015.[11] An accompanying video, directed by Scott Weintrob, was released to YouTube and Vevo the following day.[12]
| Better Nature | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | September 25, 2015 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 51:06 | |||
| Label | New Machine | |||
| Producer | Jacknife Lee | |||
| Silversun Pickups chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Better Nature | ||||
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| Aggregate scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Metacritic | 65/100[1] |
| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic | |
| Absolute Punk | 8.5/10[3] |
| Consequence of Sound | C-[4] |
| Sputnikmusic | |
| Under The Radar | 6.5/10[6] |
Track listing
All tracks are written by Silversun Pickups.
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Cradle (Better Nature)" | 5:20 |
| 2. | "Connection" | 4:34 |
| 3. | "Pins & Needles" | 4:42 |
| 4. | "Friendly Fires" | 5:28 |
| 5. | "Nightlight" | 4:52 |
| 6. | "Circadian Rhythm (Last Dance)" | 3:50 |
| 7. | "Tapedeck" | 6:02 |
| 8. | "Latchkey Kids" | 3:42 |
| 9. | "Ragamuffin" | 6:00 |
| 10. | "The Wild Kind" | 6:36 |
| Total length: | 51:06 | |
Reception
Better Nature received mostly positive reviews.
Charts
| Chart (2015) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australian Albums (ARIA)[13] | 22 |
| US Billboard 200[14] | 16 |
Personnel
- Silversun Pickups
- Brian Aubert – lead vocals, backing vocals, guitars
- Nikki Monninger – bass guitar, backing vocals, lead vocals (6), vibraphone (7)
- Joe Lester – keyboards, synthesizer, sound manipulation, drum machine, sequencer, backing vocals (5)
- Christopher Guanlao – drums, backing vocals (5-6)
- Additional personnel
- Jacknife Lee – additional keyboards, mixing, production, programming
- Alan Moulder – mixing
References
- "Better Nature by Silversun Pickups". Retrieved 1 October 2016.
- "Better Nature - Silversun Pickups - Songs, Reviews, Credits - AllMusic". Retrieved 1 October 2016.
- "chorus.fm". Retrieved 1 October 2016.
- "Album Review: Silversun Pickups – Better Nature". 25 September 2015. Retrieved 1 October 2016.
- "Review: Silversun Pickups - Better Nature - Sputnikmusic". Retrieved 1 October 2016.
- "Better Nature". Retrieved 1 October 2016.
- Brendan Hornbostel (15 July 2015). "Silversun Pickups announce new album, 'Better Nature,' will be released in September". LA Times. Retrieved 25 September 2015.
- "Silversun Pickups: 'Better Nature' on Pledgemusic". Pledgemusic. 15 July 2015. Retrieved 25 September 2015.
- Caitlin White (15 July 2015). "Silversun Pickups Announce New Album Better Nature". Stereogum. Retrieved 25 September 2015.
- Brian Leak (6 August 2015). "Silversun Pickups release cinematic video for new single, "Nightlight"". Alternative Press. Retrieved 25 September 2015.
- James Joiner (10 September 2015). "Hear a New Silversun Pickups Track". The Daily Beast. Retrieved 25 September 2015.
- Beth Kellmurray (11 September 2015). "Listen to Silversun Pickups' Dreamy New Song, 'Circadian Rhythm (Last Dance)'". Diffuser.FM. Retrieved 25 September 2015.
- "Australiancharts.com – Silversun Pickups – Better Nature". Hung Medien. Retrieved October 2, 2015.
- "Silversun Pickups Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved October 6, 2015.
