As It Ever Was, So It Will Be Again is the ninth studio album by the American indie rock band the Decemberists, it was released on June 14, 2024, on YABB Records.[1] It is a double album,[2] produced by Tucker Martine, who the band has frequently collaborated with.[3]
Reception
Stephen M. Deusner of Pitchfork noted the album was something of a "return to form", tying the focus and subject matter of the album to Meloy's "obsessions".[4]
Eric R. Danton of Paste similarly notes the band "returning to a previous musical approach" while calling the album "fresh".
[5]
Timothy Monger of AllMusic notes the anthology-like quality suggesting the album "plays like a musical overview of their career".[2]
Chris DeVille of Stereogum described the 19-minute finale "Joan in the Garden", inspired by Joan of Arc, as a "slow burn". He highlights "unexpectedly sick ambient noise" and "monster riffs" in the song.[3]
Mike Mills — backing vocals and piano on "Joan in the Garden"
Kelly Pratt — trumpet on "Burial Ground", "Oh No!", and "America Made Me"; flugelhorn on "Burial Ground" and "All I Want Is You"; euphonium on "Burial Ground"; tuba and saxophones on "Oh No!" and "America Made Me"; trombone on "The Black Maria"; French horn on "All I Want Is You"
