Life of Pause
by Wild Nothing
Metascore
74

Generally favorable reviews - based on 25 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 25
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 25
  3. Negative: 0 out of 25
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  1. New Musical Express (NME)
    Mar 1, 2016
    80
    Such confident, experimental songwriting points to a rebirth for Wild Nothing, and means ‘Life Of Pause’ can be considered alongside indie records like Tame Impala’s ‘Currents’ and Unknown Mortal Orchestra’s ‘Multi-Love’.
  2. Uncut
    Feb 29, 2016
    80
    Life Of Pause demonstrates a more playful and propulsive approach. [Apr 2016, p.82]
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  3. The 405
    Feb 22, 2016
    80
    Flashy records are always exciting, but the merits of a solidly constructed and alluringly dreamy album like Life of Pause should never be underestimated.
  5. AllMusic
    Feb 19, 2016
    80
    All the good stuff is still here, one might just have to do a little digging, hang in through a couple listens, and then the songs on Life of Pause will begin to connect with the head and the heart.
  6. DIY Magazine
    Feb 19, 2016
    80
    Taking an unmistakable euphoria and driving it home, with Life Of Pause Wild Nothing might have planted their feet firmly on the ground, but that hasn’t stopped Jack Tatum from creating a soundscape straight from your wooziest daydream.
  7. NOW Magazine
    Feb 17, 2016
    80
    Regardless of Tatum’s ever-shifting musical obsessions or emotional moods, an enjoyable lightness and subtlety to the arrangements and overlapping textures draw your ear in closer.
  8. musicOMH.com
    Feb 16, 2016
    80
    Compared to the low-key and at times melancholic Nocturne, Life Of Pause is a rich and expansive step up that balances the old and the new perfectly to create Wild Nothing’s best album yet.
  9. PopMatters
    Feb 11, 2016
    80
    Structure and connection seem to have become an increased priority for Tatum. The track sequencing is impeccable, and another element of Life of Pause that feels distinctly ‘album era.’
  10. Q Magazine
    Feb 4, 2016
    80
    Tatum's sonic upgrade pays off handsomely. [Mar 2016, p.118]
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  11. Clash Music
    Feb 4, 2016
    80
    More an album that demands repeated listens, at times creates confusion, and juts from one influence to the next. Tatum’s record collection is clearly solid, and now he can again add one of his own to it.
  12. Record Collector
    Feb 2, 2016
    80
    The album doesn’t stray far from the pop template established by early single Chinatown; only now there’s a more self-assured swagger, backed with clear and confident production.
  13. Under The Radar
    Feb 2, 2016
    75
    It all amounts to the messiest, least consistent Wild Nothing release to date. It's also the most alive. [Jan/Feb 2016, p.60]
  14. Magnet
    Mar 30, 2016
    70
    It proves quickly to be a break for the better, though, forging its unique identity on account of Tatum’s ability to turn a tune in many more ways than one. [No. 129, p.61]
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  15. No Ripcord
    Mar 3, 2016
    70
    It’s not quite inspiration, or an emotional center. You leave this record thinking about how complex and refined it is, or maybe about how much Jack Tatum has grown as a songwriter. But at the end of the day, the album doesn’t embed itself into your daily life in the way Nocturne or Gemini did.
  16. The Line of Best Fit
    Feb 19, 2016
    70
    Most importantly, at the turn of the arc Tatum rediscovers his grit and tenacity as well as his melodic poise, showing that Life of Pause isn’t just a fascinating dissection of romantic disintegration, it was also necessary.
  17. Spin
    Feb 16, 2016
    70
    Confident, intimate, and weirdly glammy, Life of Pause is worth taking five for.
  18. Austin Chronicle
    Nov 3, 2016
    67
    Jack Tatum's 2010 debut Gemini and sophomore Nocturne two years later remain solitary swashes of moody guitars and sulky introspection. Life of Pause loses these moments in favor of lush waves of warm electronics and buoyant soul that coalesce into Neon Glo flourishes.
  19. Consequence
    Feb 16, 2016
    67
    Like Gemini was to Nocturne, Life of Pause looks to be the rough draft of a new idea to be. Tatum still shows promise that he can combine that adventurous spirit and more fully encapsulating execution.
  20. Pitchfork
    Feb 18, 2016
    65
    Tonally and instrumentally, the album is a change in style, but there is no moment of surprise; it still feels very predictable.
  21. Tiny Mix Tapes
    Feb 29, 2016
    60
    While Life of Pause appears to lack any songs with the lasting impact of tracks like “Chinatown,” “Only Heather,” “Paradise,” or even the sublimely beautiful “Golden Haze”--well-written works that exhibited a naïve clarity in purpose--it’s certainly a grower.
  22. The Guardian
    Feb 18, 2016
    60
    Swilling around in the reverb, allied by a choir of sunshine guitars, is the sound of everything indie ever, from Postcard to post-Britpop. It’s done with the calm competence of a man aware he is breaking no new ground.
  23. Mojo
    Feb 2, 2016
    60
    This is diaphanous pop music--perhaps overly flimsy on occasion--but full of sparkle and more variegated than before. [Mar 2016, p.97]
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  24. The Skinny
    Feb 2, 2016
    60
    Perhaps it isn't quite a fully realised picture, but Life of Pause still paints a very pretty sonic landscape.
  25. Pretty Much Amazing
    Feb 23, 2016
    58
    There’s honestly no real low moment on Life of Pause, but then again, low moments were never this album’s problem. The problem is that there’s really only one high moment.
  26. Drowned In Sound
    Feb 18, 2016
    50
    It is hard to criticise such a well-crafted, enjoyable album that appears to have been made specifically with someone like me in mind. The thing is that in six weeks’ time it will be even harder to remember it.

Awards & Rankings

48
#48 Most Shared Album of 2016

User Reviews

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User Score
7.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 31 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 24 out of 31
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 31
  3. Negative: 1 out of 31
  1. xdv
    Feb 21, 2016
    10
    Giving this a 10 was a hard decision to make. When I originally heard the lead single from this album, I didnt know what to think. I even putGiving this a 10 was a hard decision to make. When I originally heard the lead single from this album, I didnt know what to think. I even put off listening to this record for a few days before I finally gave in and sat down to listen. At first I was pretty impressed, but by the end of the day I had listened to the record at least four times all the way through. It was just what I was personally looking for. It reminded me a bit of the new Tame Impala record 'Currents', but Wild Nothing does a beautiful job of branding a unique sound that I have not seen anywhere else. Absolutely love this album and it was just what I was looking for.… Full Review »
  2. Gasphunter
    Feb 19, 2016
    9
    Beautiful and hunting, Pause might not be remembered as much as Pi but his adventure is so gripping it will tear you apart. Brought me back toBeautiful and hunting, Pause might not be remembered as much as Pi but his adventure is so gripping it will tear you apart. Brought me back to the days I was listening the The Shins although this time around Cut Copy has joined the march.… Full Review »
  3. auteur55
    Feb 27, 2016
    9
    Love this. It's a definite grower which is not reflected in some of these reviews (who appear to have given it a cursory listen). Rich andLove this. It's a definite grower which is not reflected in some of these reviews (who appear to have given it a cursory listen). Rich and expansive is right. Many melodies bouncing in my head between listens. His best album.… Full Review »
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