"Lords of Tresserhorn" Released: September 17, 2019
"Science Beat" Released: October 15, 2019
"Dracula Bells" Released: November 7th, 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
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]
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
