The first listen take: It's probably my least favourite National record (not including the s/t as I just haven't listened to it enough). Felt like it's lacking a lot musically, just feels a bit staid, one-note, uninspired. I think iYup you're spot on about the scar tissue. I'll continue to listen though and I'm sure it will reveal more of itself to me.
The not-so-good: For some reason it really annoys me that they've made a note of saying that Sufjan, Phoebe and TayTay feature on these tracks. To me, for an artist to be listed as featured, they've really got to have a very clear part. Like, it should be "You Had Your Soul With You (feat. Gail Ann Dorsey)". The entire last album had more features than this record. You wouldn't know Sufjan is on Poolside without the credits, Phoebe is just there doing little more than harmonising on her two tracks, Taylor Swift has the clearest part, and as much as I'd love to love her vocals I'm not sure I do. Some of Matt's titles and lyrics on this album feel quite... obvious, simplistic, blunt, in a way that doesn't impress me much. Your Mind is Not Your Friend (which for the early part of it sounds like a by-numbers redo of Exile Vilify without the scar tissue, as iYup put it) is probably the worst culprit. Alien might be the first National song I've heard that I've really quite disliked.
The good: Ice Machines, that's a great song. Send for Me is a lovely closer. Once Upon a Poolside is gorgeous, dat piano. New Order T-Shirt destroyed me a little bit, with where I'm at personally, I'll have to read into the background of this record a little more, it seems quite overtly about a relationship breakdown?
