• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Vinyl Chapters

Vinyl Chapters

The Stories Behind The Music

  • Home
  • About
  • Reviews
  • Features
  • News
  • Submit
  • Shop
  • Contact
  • Cart
Home » articles » The War On Drugs: I Don’t Live Here Anymore – Review

The War On Drugs: I Don’t Live Here Anymore – Review

November 2, 2021 by Zoë Andrea-Lykourgou

The War On Drugs

The War On Drugs’ new album I Don’t Live Here Anymore, whilst nice, is a little too muted at times.

I’ll cut to the chase: I wasn’t convinced by this album. Don’t get me wrong, I can see why it’s good – tender lyrics, delicate acoustic guitars, and an overall theme of ‘resilience in the face of despair’ to which many listeners will undoubtedly be able to relate. That being said, however, I confess I’m not crazy about the record: what might sound candid and mellow to some people may come across as somewhat bland and repetitive to others, and I’m in the latter category. Whilst I Don’t Live Here Anymore isn’t terrible by any means, no amount of relistens could make the album all that memorable.

The opening track and single Living Proof does a good job of illustrating this. The simplicity is nice in a sense, but the make-it-up-as-you-go-along kind of vibe along with the fact that the majority of the song consists mainly of the same two chords with no build-up just didn’t do it for me. However, there is something to be said for the final lyrics (But I’m rising / And I’m damaged / Oh, rising), as they do encompass what the album is about and set the tone nicely, not to mention the pretty guitar solo redeems the song to an extent. The rest of the record continues in pretty much the same vein: Old Skin is a little on the stagnant side at the beginning, and Rings Around My Father’s Eyes just doesn’t have much going on at all.

The War On Drugs - I Don't Live Here Anymore

Lyrically, I Don’t Live Here Anymore isn’t bad at all. In fact, some of the lyrics are truly rather beautiful. Musically, however, most of the record just risks sounding like every other indie rock album, with all the tracks blurring into something generic-sounding with little differentiation between them. There are a few exceptions though: the vocal distortions and drum machine in I Don’t Wanna Wait make for a wonderfully brooding sound, and Victim contains some nice retro-sounding beats and synthesisers throughout.

Ultimately, despite I Don’t Live Here Anymore not being exactly in line with my own tastes, I don’t think there’s anything terrible about it. I can understand its appeal, it’s not a bad album – I just didn’t like it.

Score: 3/5

Share this:

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)

Related

Filed Under: Review

About Zoë Andrea-Lykourgou

Aspiring broadcast journalist with a degree in Japanese and an eclectic taste in music. Hobby pianist and singer.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Mark says

    November 12, 2021 at 7:33 am

    Well said. I have Lost in the Dream which sounds very pleasant at the right time. I particularly like the extended instrumental guitar jams. A Deeper Understanding and this most recent album don’t appear to have moved things much further forward. ‘It it ain’t broke’ syndrome I guess.

    I don’t have a single Springsteen album in my music collection for a reason, and this WoD’s album uses the same playbook in terms of reflective lyrical content and the overall sound. I have listened to it and the word ‘wallpaper’ sprung to mind. Predictable and derivative are also fitting pejoratives.

    I am very surprised at how positive the reviews are for this new release, and while I admire you being prepared to stick your neck out and go against the tide, you seem almost apologetic for doing so.

    I saw this on standard double vinyl in Rough Trade yesterday for £39.99. Welcome to the to post-pandemic retail experience.

    Reply

Leave a comment Cancel reply

Primary Sidebar

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter

Search

Subscribe

Subscribe to our Newsletter

* indicates required

Recent Posts

Charlie Puth

Charlie Puth: Charlie – Review

Calvin Harris

Calvin Harris: Funk Wav Bounces Vol. 2 – Review

JP Hoe

New Music Fridays – 5th August 2022

Footer

Navigation

Home

About

Reviews

Features

News

Submit

Contact Us

Shop

Search

Recent Posts

  • Taylor Swift: Midnights – Album Review
  • Charlie Puth: Charlie – Review
  • Calvin Harris: Funk Wav Bounces Vol. 2 – Review
  • New Music Fridays – 5th August 2022
  • Hayley Kiyoko: Panorama – Review

Social Media

Facebook

Instagram

Twitter

Affiliate Disclosure

Vinyl Chapters is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. In doing so, this helps us continue providing free content. It does not increase the price for you in any way.

Copyright © 2023 Vinyl Chapters | Terms & Conditions | Privacy Policy | Editorial Team