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Sea of Worry

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Sea of Worry
Studio album by
Have a Nice Life
ReleasedNovember 8, 2019 (2019-11-08)
Genres
Length46:19
LabelThe Flenser
Have a Nice Life chronology
The Unnatural World
(2014)		 Sea of Worry
(2019)
Singles from Sea of Worry
  1. "Sea of Worry"
    Released: August 27, 2019
  2. "Lords of Tresserhorn"
    Released: September 17, 2019
  3. "Science Beat"
    Released: October 15, 2019
  4. "Dracula Bells"
    Released: November 7, 2019

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

[edit]

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

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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

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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

[edit]
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Kill Your Stereo70/100[9]
Pitchfork7.4/10[7]
Sputnikmusic2.8/5[14]
Wolfgang Magazin5.4/10[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

[edit]

All tracks are written by Dan Barrett and Tim Macuga.

No.TitleLength
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

[edit]

Have a Nice Life

  • Dan Barrett
  • Tim Macuga

Band

  • Joe Streeter – guitar
  • Myke Cameron – bass
  • Rich Otero – drums, synthesizer

References

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  1. 1 2 Breihan, Tom (November 8, 2019). "Have A Nice Life Release New Album 'Sea Of Worry': Stream". Stereogum. Retrieved February 26, 2021.
  2. 1 2 Roesler, Brian (November 20, 2019). "Have a Nice Life : Sea of Worry". Treble Magazine. Retrieved February 26, 2021.
  3. ↑ Sacher, Andrew (August 27, 2019). "Have A Nice Life share title track off 'Sea of Worry'". BrooklynVegan. Retrieved February 26, 2021.
  4. ↑ BrooklynVegan Staff (September 17, 2019). "19 New Songs Out Today". BrooklynVegan. Retrieved February 26, 2021.
  5. ↑ BrooklynVegan Staff (October 15, 2019). "18 New Songs Out Today". BrooklynVegan. Retrieved February 26, 2021.
  6. ↑ BrooklynVegan Staff (November 7, 2019). "16 New Songs Out Today". BrooklynVegan. Retrieved February 26, 2021.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 Gordon, Arielle (November 12, 2019). "Have a Nice Life: Sea of Worry". Pitchfork. Retrieved February 26, 2021.
  8. ↑ Richards, Adam (November 26, 2016). "Have A Nice Life – Sea of Worry Review". The New Englander. Retrieved February 27, 2021.
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Peel, Bill (November 13, 2019). "Have A Nice Life – Sea Of Worry". Kill Your Stereo. Archived from the original on November 13, 2019. Retrieved February 26, 2021.
  10. ↑ Thomas, Olly (November 10, 2019). "Album Review: Have A Nice Life – Sea Of Worry". Kerrang!. Retrieved February 27, 2021.
  11. ↑ Costa, Bruno (November 11, 2019). "Have A Nice Life - Sea Of Worry". MUSIC&RIOTS Magazine. Retrieved February 27, 2021.
  12. 1 2 Welsh, Evan (November 21, 2019). "Have a Nice Life: Sea of Worry". Spectrum Culture. Retrieved February 27, 2021.
  13. 1 2 "Sputnikmusic - Interview: Dan and Tim (HANL) « Staff Blog". Retrieved December 9, 2023.
  14. 1 2 3 Winesburgohio (November 7, 2019). "Review: Have a Nice Life - Sea of Worry". Sputnikmusic. Retrieved February 26, 2021.
  15. ↑ Zorzi, Marika (September 17, 2019). "Have A Nice Life Unveil Soul-Stirring New Single, "Lords Of Tresserhorn"". New Noise Magazine. Retrieved February 27, 2021.
  16. 1 2 Alber, Alison (December 7, 2019). "Have A Nice Life - Sea of Worry". MXDWN. Retrieved February 27, 2021.
  17. 1 2 "Have a Nice Life On Their Anxiety-Driven Third Album, "Sea of Worry"". Bandcamp Daily. November 11, 2019. Retrieved July 23, 2023.
  18. ↑ Nikolić, Katarina (November 18, 2019). "Record Review | Have a Nice Life – Sea of Worry". Wolfgang Magazin. Archived from the original on September 28, 2020. Retrieved February 27, 2021.
  19. ↑ Schlemihl (December 26, 2019). "Have A Nice Life explore fear and hope in a "Sea Of Worry"". Aristocrazia Webzine. Retrieved February 26, 2021.
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