Down in the Weeds, Where the World Once Was

Last updated
Down in the Weeds, Where the World Once Was
Bright Eyes - Down in the Weeds, Where the World Once Was.png
Studio album by
ReleasedAugust 21, 2020 (2020-08-21)
Recorded2019
Studio
Genre
Length54:45
Label Dead Oceans
Producer Bright Eyes
Bright Eyes chronology
The People's Key
(2011)
Down in the Weeds, Where the World Once Was
(2020)
Five Dice, All Threes
(2024)
Singles from Down in the Weeds, Where the World Once Was
  1. "Persona Non Grata"
    Released: March 24, 2020
  2. "Forced Convalescence"
    Released: April 21, 2020
  3. "One and Done"
    Released: May 27, 2020
  4. "Mariana Trench"
    Released: June 22, 2020

Down in the Weeds, Where the World Once Was is the tenth studio album by American band Bright Eyes. The album marked the band's first release in nearly a decade, following The People's Key in 2011. It was released by Dead Oceans on August 21, 2020, and it was their first album not released by Saddle Creek Records. The album was recorded at Electro-Vox and Capitol Studios in Los Angeles and ARC Studios in Omaha, Nebraska.

Contents

The album features musical contributions from drummer Jon Theodore and Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea, who had previously recorded The Mars Volta's 2003 debut studio record De-loused in the Comatorium together.

Down in the Weeds was preceded by four singles: "Persona Non Grata", "Forced Convalescence", "One and Done", and "Mariana Trench". The album received favorable reviews from critics and peaked at #36 on the Billboard 200.

Background and recording

In 2009, Conor Oberst suggested that the next Bright Eyes album would be the band's last, after which he would retire the project. [1] [2] In February 2011, the band released their ninth studio album The People's Key . However, shortly thereafter Oberst told Rolling Stone that he was "definitely not making it official" as to whether the album would be the band's last. [3] The band performed their last show in Honolulu, Hawaii on November 21, 2011. [4] Bright Eyes went on an unofficial hiatus as members Conor Oberst, Mike Mogis, and Nate Walcott each pursued different projects. [5] However, all three members remained in close contact with each other. Oberst, who lives in Omaha, Nebraska and Los Angeles, California, lives next door to Mogis in Omaha and minutes away from Walcott in Los Angeles. [6] During the hiatus, Oberst released three solo albums: Upside Down Mountain (2014), Ruminations (2016), and Salutations (2017). Oberst also released a second Desaparecidos album, Payola (2015), and formed the indie rock project Better Oblivion Community Center with Phoebe Bridgers, releasing an eponymous album in 2019. In 2014, Mogis and Walcott composed the soundtrack for The Fault in Our Stars , based on the novel of the same name by John Green. During the hiatus, Mogis also provided musical and technical contributions to music by other artists, while Walcott provided musical and songwriting contributions to other artists' music and scored other films. Walcott also worked as a touring member of other musical groups, including Broken Bells and Red Hot Chili Peppers. [7] [6]

In the November 2016 issue of Uncut , Oberst expressed doubt as to whether or not The People's Key would be the band's final album and revealed that Bright Eyes "still talk about doing another record." [8] Bright Eyes' return began at a Christmas party in 2017 at Walcott's house. Oberst pitched the idea of regrouping Bright Eyes to Walcott, and he and Walcott huddled in a bathroom and called Mogis over FaceTime, who was Christmas shopping at a mall in Omaha. Mogis agreed to regroup, and the band began working again. It was a collaborative effort, with the band writing material for the album in Omaha and California. The album was recorded in 2019 [9] at Mogis' ARC Studios in Omaha, and at Electro-Vox Recording Studios and Capitol Studios, both located in Los Angeles. [5] The album also features contributions from drummer Jon Theodore (The Mars Volta, Queens of the Stone Age, One Day as a Lion) and Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea. [10] [7]

The album is dedicated to Oberst's brother Matt, who died in November 2016. [7] The album also comes in the aftermath of Oberst's divorce in 2017 from Corina Figueroa Escamilla, whom he was married to for seven years. However, she is featured speaking in Spanish on the album's opening track, "Pageturners Rag". [11]

Release

On January 9, 2020, Bright Eyes teased a comeback on their social media accounts with a cryptic animation alongside the hashtag "#BrightEyes2020". [12] [13] On January 21, 2020, the band announced their return with a series of 2020 tour dates, their first live performances in nine years. The band scheduled performances in Tokyo in March, Los Angeles in May, New York City in June, and at England's End of the Road Festival in September. [14] They band also announced plans to release new music and revealed Bright Eyes had signed to Dead Oceans. [15] Before signing to Dead Oceans, Bright Eyes had released all of their studio albums on Saddle Creek Records. [5]

On February 18, 2020, Bright Eyes announced a North American tour for May–June 2020, supported by Lucy Dacus, Lavender Diamond, and Japanese Breakfast. They also announced a UK and European tour for August–September 2020. [16] On April 24, 2020, Bright Eyes cancelled most of the scheduled North American tour dates and postponed the remaining dates due to the COVID-19 pandemic. [17] [18] On May 23, 2020, the band cancelled dates on the scheduled UK and European tour and postponed the remaining dates to 2021. [19] The band performed the first show of their tour on July 27, 2021, at Artpark Amphitheatre in Lewiston, New York. [20]

"Persona Non Grata" was released as the album's lead single on March 24, 2020. [21] [22] "Forced Convalescence" was released as the second single on April 21, 2020. [23] [24] "One and Done" was released as the third single on May 27, 2020. [25] [26] [27] "Mariana Trench" was released as the fourth single on June 22, 2020, and was performed the same day by Bright Eyes on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert . [28] The album's title, artwork, tracklisting, and release date were also announced the same day. [29] Down in the Weeds, Where the World Once Was was released by Dead Oceans on August 21, 2020. [30] [31] The band gave a track-by-track breakdown of the album for Apple Music. [32]

Artwork

The album's artwork was created by Zack Nipper, a former Saddle Creek Records graphic designer, who designed the cover artwork for most of Bright Eyes' previous albums. Nipper previously won the Grammy Award for Best Recording Package for his work on the Bright Eyes album Cassadaga (2007). [5]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
AnyDecentMusic? 7.7/10 [33]
Metacritic 81/100 [34]
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [35]
The A.V. Club A− [36]
Exclaim! 6/10 [37]
The Independent Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [38]
NME Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [39]
Paste 8.2/10 [40]
Pitchfork 7.4/10 [41]
Q Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [42]
Rolling Stone Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svg [43]
Uncut 9/10 [44]

Down in the Weeds received favorable reviews from music critics. The album has a score of 81 out of 100 on Metacritic, indicating "universal acclaim", based on 24 reviews. [34]

Fred Thomas of AllMusic wrote that "it continues Bright Eyes' evolution without skipping a beat, and manages to be one of their stronger records in the process." [35] Bud Scoppa of Uncut gave the album a 9/10, praising the "opulent orchestrations and chorales rendering Oberst's tremulous outpourings that much more existentially fraught." [44] Tom Doyle of Q praised the album's "smart audio trickery and intriguing atmosphere" as well as Oberst's vocals for being "less nervy and whiny and more restrained and affecting". [42]

Tom Hull was less impressed, giving the album a B-plus and finding its extensive musical accomplishment ostensibly significant but not entirely worth exploring. [45]

Year-end lists

Year-end list accolades for Down in the Weeds, Where the World Once Was
PublicationListRankRef.
Double J The 50 best albums of 2020
21
NBHAP 50 Best Albums of 2020
9
Slant Magazine The 50 Best Albums of 2020
40
The Sunday Times The best albums of 2020
5
Uncut The Top 75 Albums of the Year
45
Under the Radar Top 100 Albums of 2020
50

Track listing

All lyrics are written by Conor Oberst, except where noted; all music is composed by Bright Eyes

Down in the Weeds, Where the World Once Was track listing
No.TitleLyricsLength
1."Pageturners Rag" 3:57
2."Dance and Sing" 4:30
3."Just Once in the World"
3:28
4."Mariana Trench" 3:41
5."One and Done" 4:53
6."Pan and Broom" 2:52
7."Stairwell Song" 3:40
8."Persona Non Grata" 3:32
9."Tilt-A-Whirl" 2:20
10."Hot Car in the Sun" 2:27
11."Forced Convalescence" 4:08
12."To Death's Heart (In Three Parts)" 5:25
13."Calais to Dover" 4:17
14."Comet Song" 5:35
Total length:54:45

Personnel

Credits adapted from the album's liner notes. [9]

Musicians

Bright Eyes

Additional musicians

  • Corina Figueroa Escamilla – vocals (track 1)
  • Nancy Oberst – vocals (track 1)
  • Miwi La Lupa – vocals (tracks 3, 4, 5, 14)
  • Andy LeMaster – vocals (tracks 9, 13)
  • Susan Sanchez – vocals (tracks 6, 8)
  • Jesca Hoop – vocals (tracks 4, 12)
  • Dan McCarthy – piano (track 1)
  • Flea – bass (tracks 2, 4, 5, 7, 11, 12, 14)
  • Macey Taylor – bass (tracks 3, 8, 9, 10, 13)
  • Jenny Lee Lindberg – bass (track 6)
  • Jon Theodore – drums (tracks 2–14), percussion (tracks 2–14), timpani (tracks 2–14)
  • Kip Skitter – percussion (tracks 2, 4, 11)
  • Joe Fuchs – bagpipes (track 8)
  • Joe Todero – bagpipes (track 8)
  • Malcolm Wilbur – bagpipes (track 8)
  • Suzie Katayama – orchestra conductor (tracks 2, 5, 7, 14)
  • Jason McGee – choir conductor (tracks 2, 11)
  • James Connor – choir vocals (tracks 2, 11)
  • Quishima Dixon – choir vocals (tracks 2, 11)
  • Natalie Ganther – choir vocals (tracks 2, 11)
  • Anthony Johnston – choir vocals (tracks 2, 11)
  • Edward Lawson – choir vocals (tracks 2, 11)
  • Jennifer Lee – choir vocals (tracks 2, 11)
  • Sharetta Morgan-Harmon – choir vocals (tracks 2, 11)
  • Marquee Perkins – choir vocals (tracks 2, 11)
  • Jessica Guideri – violin (tracks 2, 5, 7, 14)
  • Tammy Hatwan – violin (tracks 2, 5, 7, 14)
  • Jackie Brand – violin (tracks 2, 5, 7, 14)
  • Roberto Cani – violin (tracks 2, 5, 7, 14)
  • Paul Cartwright – violin (tracks 2, 5, 7, 14)
  • Nina Evtuhov – violin (tracks 2, 5, 7, 14)
  • Gerry Hilera – violin (tracks 2, 5, 7, 14)
  • Ana Landauer – violin (tracks 2, 5, 7, 14)
  • Natalie Leggett – violin (tracks 2, 5, 7, 14)
  • Michele Richards – violin (tracks 2, 5, 7, 14)
  • Jenny Takamatsu – violin (tracks 2, 5, 7, 14)
  • John Wittenberg – violin (tracks 2, 5, 7, 14)
  • Rob Brophy – viola (tracks 2, 5, 7, 14)
  • Tom Lea – viola (tracks 2, 5, 7, 14)
  • Luke Maurer – viola (tracks 2, 5, 7, 14)
  • Rodney Wirtz – viola (tracks 2, 5, 7, 14)
  • Vanessa Freebairn-Smith – cello (tracks 2, 5, 7, 14)
  • Erika Duka – cello (tracks 2, 5, 7, 14)
  • Dane Little – cello (tracks 2, 5, 7, 14)
  • Charlie Tyler – cello (tracks 2, 5, 7, 14)
  • Johanna Borenstein – flute (tracks 2, 7, 14)
  • Lara Wickes – oboe (tracks 2, 7, 14), English horn (tracks 2, 7, 14)
  • Don Foster – clarinet (tracks 2, 7, 14)
  • John Mitchell – baritone saxophone (tracks 4, 5)
  • Jon Lewis – trumpet (tracks 2, 4, 5, 7, 14)
  • Daniel Rosenboom – trumpet (tracks 2, 4, 5, 7, 14)
  • Alex Iles – trombone (tracks 2, 4, 5, 7, 14)
  • Steve Holtman – trombone (tracks 2, 4, 5, 7, 14)

Technical

  • Bright Eyes – production (all tracks)
  • Mike Mogis – mixing (all tracks), engineering (tracks 1, 3, 8, 9, 10, 13)
  • Michael Harris – engineering (tracks 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 11, 12, 14)
  • Steve Churchyard – engineering (tracks 2, 4, 5, 7, 11, 14)
  • Adam Roberts – assistant engineer (tracks 1, 3, 8, 9, 10, 13)
  • Nik Fackler – assistant engineer (track 1)
  • Aaron Gum – assistant engineer (track 1)
  • Chris Cerullo – assistant engineer (tracks 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 11, 12, 14)
  • Chandler Harrod – assistant engineer (tracks 2, 4, 5, 7, 11, 14)
  • Andy LeMaster – assistant engineer (tracks 9, 13)
  • Tim Thomas – assistant engineer (tracks 4, 12)
  • Bob Ludwig – mastering (all tracks)

Artwork

Charts

Chart performance for Down in the Weeds, Where the World Once Was
Chart (2020)Peak
position
Australian Albums (ARIA) [52] 67
Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria) [53] 21
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders) [54] 34
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100) [55] 62
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100) [56] 8
Scottish Albums (OCC) [57] 6
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade) [58] 32
UK Albums (OCC) [59] 22
US Billboard 200 [60] 36
US Top Alternative Albums (Billboard) [61] 4
US Folk Albums (Billboard) [62] 4
US Independent Albums (Billboard) [63] 9
US Top Rock Albums (Billboard) [64] 3

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bright Eyes (band)</span> American indie rock band

Bright Eyes is an American indie rock band founded by singer-songwriter and guitarist Conor Oberst. It consists of Oberst, multi-instrumentalist and producer Mike Mogis, arranger, composer and trumpet and piano player Nate Walcott, and a rotating line-up of collaborators drawn primarily from Omaha's indie music scene.

<i>Lifted or The Story Is in the Soil, Keep Your Ear to the Ground</i> 2002 studio album by Bright Eyes

Lifted or The Story Is in the Soil, Keep Your Ear to the Ground is the fourth studio album by Bright Eyes and the 46th release of Saddle Creek Records. The band made its national television debut in support of the album, performing "The Trees Get Wheeled Away" on the Late Show with David Letterman.

<i>Fevers and Mirrors</i> 2000 studio album by Bright Eyes

Fevers and Mirrors is the third studio album by American indie band Bright Eyes, recorded in 1999 and released on May 29, 2000. It was the 32nd release of the Omaha, Nebraska-based record label Saddle Creek Records. The album was released later in 2000 in the United Kingdom as the inaugural release from Wichita Recordings.

<i>Every Day and Every Night</i> 1999 EP by Bright Eyes

Every Day and Every Night is an EP by American indie rock band Bright Eyes. It became the 30th release by Saddle Creek Records on November 1, 1999.

<i>Letting Off the Happiness</i> 1998 studio album by Bright Eyes

Letting Off the Happiness is the second studio album released by the indie rock band Bright Eyes. The album was released on November 2, 1998. It was the first release by Bright Eyes to feature and be produced by Mike Mogis, now a permanent member of the band. A vinyl re-release of the album was included in the Bright Eyes Vinyl Box Set in 2012. Guest musicians include members of Cursive, Tilly and the Wall, and Elephant 6 collective's Neutral Milk Hotel and of Montreal.

Desaparecidos was an American punk rock band from Omaha, Nebraska founded by singer/guitarist Conor Oberst.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Conor Oberst</span> American musician (born 1980)

Conor Mullen Oberst is an American singer-songwriter best known for his work in Bright Eyes. He has also played in several other bands, including Desaparecidos, the Faint, Commander Venus, Park Ave., Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band, Monsters of Folk, and Better Oblivion Community Center. Oberst was named the Best Songwriter of 2008 by Rolling Stone magazine.

<i>Digital Ash in a Digital Urn</i> 2005 studio album by Bright Eyes

Digital Ash in a Digital Urn is the seventh studio album by American band Bright Eyes, released on January 25, 2005 by Saddle Creek Records, the same day as their sixth album I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning. It peaked at number 15 in the US and 43 in the UK. In US it has sold 268,000 units. In 2007 it was awarded a gold certification from the Independent Music Companies Association, which indicated sales of at least 100,000 copies throughout Europe. In contrast to the acoustic nature of I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning, Digital Ash in a Digital Urn is more electronic.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mike Mogis</span> American multi-instrumentalist

Michael Riley Mogis is an American producer/engineer and multi-instrumentalist who, along with his brother A.J. Mogis, founded Presto! Recording Studios. Mogis currently runs ARC in downtown Omaha.

<i>Motion Sickness</i> (album) 2005 live album by Bright Eyes

Motion Sickness: Live Recordings is a live album by Bright Eyes. Documenting the I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning tours from the first half of 2005, Motion Sickness is a compilation of live tracks, including covers of Feist and Elliott Smith. It comes with a 24-page booklet featuring an extensive tour diary written by Jason Boesel.

Nate Walcott is an American musical composer, arranger, pianist, keyboardist, and trumpeter. He has composed the scores for several feature-length films, including 2014's The Fault in Our Stars. He is a member of the band Bright Eyes, and has played in Conor Oberst's Mystic Valley Band and with singer-songwriter M. Ward. Between 2016 and 2019, Walcott was the touring pianist and keyboard player for the Red Hot Chili Peppers, during their The Getaway World Tour.

<i>Four Winds</i> (EP) 2007 EP by Bright Eyes

Four Winds is an EP by the indie rock band Bright Eyes, that was released on March 6, 2007. The title track is the first single from their album Cassadaga. The other 5 tracks are exclusive b-sides from the 2006 recording sessions. It is marketed as being "quietly enchanting" and including "a wandering country charm and all of the story-telling seductiveness of earlier work. The song "Four Winds" was ranked #5 on Rolling Stone's list of the 100 Best Songs of 2007.

<i>Cassadaga</i> (album) 2007 studio album by Bright Eyes

Cassadaga is the eighth studio album by Bright Eyes, released in the UK on April 9, 2007, and in the US on April 10. Around 25 to 30 songs were recorded in 2006, with 13 of these appearing on the final track list. The album is named after the town of Cassadaga, Florida. Z Berg of the Like, Sherri DuPree and Stacy King of Eisley, and singer-songwriter Rachael Yamagata all appear on this album. The first single, "Four Winds", was released on March 6, 2007, taken from the Four Winds EP, which contains five B-sides not on Cassadaga.

<i>Conor Oberst</i> (album) 2008 studio album by Conor Oberst

Conor Oberst is the fourth solo studio album by Conor Oberst, of the band Bright Eyes, which was released on August 4, 2008 by Merge Records. The album debuted on the UK Albums Chart at #37 and reached #15 on the Billboard Top 200. It sold 98,000 copies in the US as of August 2009.

"Road to Joy" is the last song on Bright Eyes' 2005 album I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning. It was written by Conor Oberst. The name of the album is taken from a lyric in the song.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hot Knives</span> 2007 single by Bright Eyes

"Hot Knives" is the second single by the American indie/folk-rock band Bright Eyes, from their album Cassadaga. The song was released on July 9, 2007, on a strictly-limited 7" double A-side record.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band</span> American band

Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band is an American band consisting of Conor Oberst and his backing band. The band is composed of Nik Freitas (guitar), Taylor Hollingsworth (guitar), Macey Taylor (bass), Nate Walcott (keyboards/organ) and Jason Boesel (drums). The band was formed to back Oberst on his 2008 solo album but soon evolved into a band of its own with all members singing and providing songs for 2009's Outer South.

<i>Monsters of Folk</i> (album) 2009 album by Monsters of Folk

Monsters of Folk is the self-titled first and only studio album by American indie rock band Monsters of Folk, a group that consists of the artists Jim James, Conor Oberst, M. Ward, and Mike Mogis. Originally slated for release in 2010, the album was released through Shangri-La Music and Rough Trade on September 22, 2009. "Dear God " samples Trevor Dandy's 1970 gospel song "Is There Any Love."

<i>The Peoples Key</i> 2011 studio album by Bright Eyes

The People's Key is the ninth studio album by American band Bright Eyes. The album was recorded in Omaha, Nebraska at ARC Studios, produced by Mike Mogis, and engineered by Mogis and Andy LeMaster. The album was released on February 15, 2011, lead singer Conor Oberst's 31st birthday, by Saddle Creek Records. Prior to its official release, the album was available to stream online in its entirety, as part of NPR's "First Listen" series.

<i>Im Wide Awake, Its Morning</i> 2005 studio album by Bright Eyes

I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning is the sixth studio album by American band Bright Eyes, released on January 25, 2005 by Saddle Creek Records.

References

  1. Dombal, Ryan (July 22, 2009). "Conor Oberst to Retire Bright Eyes?". Pitchfork . Retrieved June 24, 2020.
  2. Aswad, Jem (December 1, 2010). "Bright Eyes to Release Album Next Year". Rolling Stone . Retrieved June 24, 2020.
  3. Hiatt, Brian (March 3, 2011). "Q&A: Conor Oberst". Rolling Stone . Retrieved June 24, 2020.
  4. "Bright Eyes Officially Announce New LP 'Down In The Weeds Where The World Once Was; Out 8/21 via Dead Oceans". Glide Magazine. June 22, 2020. Retrieved June 23, 2020.
  5. 1 2 3 4 Coffey, Kevin (June 22, 2020). "Bright Eyes' new comeback album has a release date". Omaha World-Herald . Retrieved June 23, 2020.
  6. 1 2 Roberts, Christopher (June 22, 2020). "Bright Eyes Officially Announce New Album, Share Video for New Song "Mariana Trench"". Under the Radar . Retrieved June 24, 2020.
  7. 1 2 3 Ross, Alex Robert (June 23, 2020). "Bright Eyes at the end of the world again". The Fader . Retrieved June 23, 2020.
  8. Pinnock, Tom (September 30, 2016). "Conor Oberst: "Bright Eyes still talk about doing another album"". Uncut . Retrieved June 24, 2020.
  9. 1 2 Down in the Weeds, Where the World Once Was (liner notes). Bright Eyes. Dead Oceans. 2020. DOC210LP.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  10. Hughes, Josiah (June 22, 2020). "Bright Eyes Detail New Album 'Down in the Weeds Where the World Once Was'". Exclaim! . Retrieved June 23, 2020.
  11. Clarke, Patrick (August 6, 2020). "Casserole Buffet: Bright Eyes Interviewed". The Quietus . Retrieved August 12, 2020.
  12. "Bright Eyes Tease 2020 Comeback With Relaunched Socials & Cryptic Video". Billboard . January 9, 2020. Retrieved June 23, 2020.
  13. DeVille, Chris (January 9, 2020). "Bright Eyes Tease Comeback". Stereogum . Retrieved June 23, 2020.
  14. Bloom, Madison; Monroe, Jazz (January 21, 2020). "Bright Eyes Announce First Shows in Over 9 Years, Working on New Album". Pitchfork . Retrieved June 23, 2020.
  15. "Bright Eyes Sign to New Label, Drop First Tour Dates in Nearly a Decade: See Where They're Headed". Billboard . January 21, 2020. Retrieved June 23, 2020.
  16. Strauss, Matthew (February 18, 2020). "Bright Eyes Announce Tour". Pitchfork . Retrieved June 23, 2020.
  17. Schatz, Lake (April 24, 2020). "Bright Eyes Update Reunion Tour Amid Coronavirus Concerns". Consequence of Sound . Retrieved June 23, 2020.
  18. Strauss, Matthew (April 24, 2020). "Bright Eyes Cancel and Postpone Reunion Shows". Pitchfork . Retrieved June 23, 2020.
  19. Richards, Will (May 23, 2020). "Check out Bright Eyes' rescheduled UK and European tour dates for 2021". NME . Retrieved June 23, 2020.
  20. Aubrey, Elizabeth (June 12, 2021). "Bright Eyes unveil 2021 summer US tour dates". NME . Retrieved August 5, 2021.
  21. Thompson, Stephen (March 24, 2020). "Bright Eyes' 9-Year Hiatus Ends With 'Persona Non Grata'". NPR . Retrieved June 23, 2020.
  22. Martoccio, Angie (March 24, 2020). "Bright Eyes Drop First New Music in Nearly a Decade — With Bagpipes". Rolling Stone . Retrieved June 23, 2020.
  23. Blistein, Jon (April 21, 2020). "Bright Eyes Get Existential in Bed on New Song, 'Forced Convalescence'". Rolling Stone . Retrieved June 23, 2020.
  24. Tan, Emily (April 21, 2020). "Bright Eyes Share Somber New Single 'Forced Convalescence'". Spin . Retrieved June 23, 2020.
  25. Moore, Sam (May 27, 2020). "Listen to Bright Eyes' new single 'One and Done'". NME . Retrieved June 23, 2020.
  26. Bowers, Emma (May 27, 2020). "Bright Eyes Shares Lush New Single 'One And Done'". NPR . Retrieved June 23, 2020.
  27. Blistein, Jon (May 27, 2020). "Bright Eyes Share New Dispatch From the End of the World, 'One and Done'". Rolling Stone . Retrieved June 23, 2020.
  28. Tan, Emily (June 22, 2020). "Bright Eyes Drop 'Mariana Trench' Video, Reveal New Album Details". Spin . Retrieved June 23, 2020.
  29. Martoccio, Angie (June 22, 2020). "Bright Eyes Announce New Album, Release New Song 'Mariana Trench'". Rolling Stone . Retrieved June 23, 2020.
  30. Richards, Will (June 22, 2020). "Bright Eyes announce new album 'Down In The Weeds, Where The World Once Was'". NME . Retrieved June 23, 2020.
  31. Richards, Sam (June 22, 2020). "Bright Eyes unveil new album, Down In the Weeds, Where The World Once Was". Uncut . Retrieved June 23, 2020.
  32. "Down in the Weeds, Where the World Once Was by Bright Eyes". Apple Music . August 21, 2020. Archived from the original on August 22, 2020. Retrieved August 22, 2020.
  33. "Down in the Weeds, Where the World Once Was by Bright Eyes reviews". AnyDecentMusic? . Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  34. 1 2 "Down in the Weeds, Where the World Once Was by Bright Eyes Reviews and Tracks". Metacritic . Retrieved September 30, 2020.
  35. 1 2 Thomas, Fred. "Down in the Weeds, Where the World Once Was – Bright Eyes". AllMusic . Retrieved August 17, 2020.
  36. Colburn, Randall (August 21, 2020). "Bright Eyes brings the drama on the sad, lovely Down In The Weeds, Where The World Once Was". The A.V. Club . Retrieved August 23, 2020.
  37. Hudson, Alex (August 17, 2020). "Bright Eyes' Apocalyptic Warnings Don't Have Much Bite on 'Down in the Weeds, Where the World Once Was'". Exclaim! . Retrieved August 17, 2020.
  38. Bray, Elisa (August 20, 2020). "Bright Eyes review: Down In the Weeds, Where the World Once Was is another classic to brood to". The Independent . Retrieved August 23, 2020.
  39. Trendell, Andrew (August 19, 2020). "Bright Eyes – 'Down In The Weeds Where The World Once Was' review: a heroic return after almost a decade". NME . Retrieved August 20, 2020.
  40. Crump, Andy (August 20, 2020). "Bright Eyes Are Getting Older and Facing Doom on Down in the Weeds...". Paste . Retrieved August 23, 2020.
  41. Hogan, Marc (August 20, 2020). "Bright Eyes: Down in the Weeds, Where the World Once Was Album Review". Pitchfork . Retrieved August 20, 2020.
  42. 1 2 Doyle, Tom. "Bright Eyes – Down in the Weeds, Where the World Once Was: Nebraskans return after nine years: older, wiser and better". Q . No. 415 (September 2020 ed.). p. 111.
  43. Bernstein, Jonathan (August 21, 2020). "Bright Eyes' First Album in Nine Years is a Tense Love Letter to L.A." Rolling Stone . Retrieved August 23, 2020.
  44. 1 2 Scoppa, Bud. "Bright Eyes – Down in the Weeds, Where the World Once Was: Assisted by various guests, Oberst has never been so wide awake". Uncut . No. 281 (October 2020 ed.). p. 28.
  45. Hull, Tom (October 6, 2020). "Music Week". Tom Hull – on the Web. Retrieved October 7, 2020.
  46. "The 50 best albums of 2020". Double J . December 9, 2020. Retrieved December 10, 2020.
  47. "NBHAP's 50 Best Albums Of 2020". Nothing but Hope and Passion . December 3, 2020. Retrieved December 10, 2020.
  48. "The 50 Best Albums of 2020". Slant Magazine . December 9, 2020. Retrieved December 10, 2020.
  49. "The best albums of 2020" . The Sunday Times . December 10, 2020. Retrieved December 10, 2020.
  50. "The Top 75 Albums Of The Year". Uncut . No. 284. January 2021. p. 72.
  51. "Under the Radar's Top 100 Albums of 2020". Under the Radar . January 15, 2021. Retrieved February 7, 2021.
  52. "The ARIA Report: Week Commencing 31 August 2020". No. 1591. Australian Recording Industry Association. August 31, 2020.{{cite magazine}}: Cite magazine requires |magazine= (help)
  53. "Austriancharts.at – Bright Eyes – Down in the Weeds, Where the World Once Was" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved September 3, 2020.
  54. "Ultratop.be – Bright Eyes – Down in the Weeds, Where the World Once Was" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved August 28, 2020.
  55. "Dutchcharts.nl – Bright Eyes – Down in the Weeds, Where the World Once Was" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved August 28, 2020.
  56. "Offiziellecharts.de – Bright Eyes – Down in the Weeds, Where the World Once Was" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved August 28, 2020.
  57. "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved August 28, 2020.
  58. "Swisscharts.com – Bright Eyes – Down in the Weeds, Where the World Once Was". Hung Medien. Retrieved September 2, 2020.
  59. "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved August 28, 2020.
  60. "Bright Eyes Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved September 1, 2020.
  61. "Bright Eyes Chart History (Top Alternative Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved June 3, 2022.
  62. "Bright Eyes Chart History (Top Americana/Folk Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved June 3, 2022.
  63. "Bright Eyes Chart History (Independent Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved June 3, 2022.
  64. "Bright Eyes Chart History (Top Rock Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved June 3, 2022.