Head of Roses

Last updated

Head of Roses
Head of Roses.jpg
Studio album by
Flock of Dimes
ReleasedApril 2, 2021
RecordedJuly 2020
StudioBetty's (Chapel Hill, North Carolina)
Length40:40
Label Sub Pop
Producer
Flock of Dimes chronology
Like So Much Desire
(2020)		Head of Roses
(2021)		 Head of Roses: Phantom Limb
(2022)
Singles from Head of Roses
  1. "Two"
    Released: February 3, 2021
  2. "Price of Blue"
    Released: February 25, 2021
  3. "Hard Way"
    Released: March 16, 2021
  4. "One More Hour"
    Released: March 30, 2021

Head of Roses is the second studio album by the American singer-songwriter Jenn Wasner under the pseudonym Flock of Dimes, released on April 2, 2021 through the independent record label Sub Pop.

Contents

Background and recording

With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and the subsequent lockdown, Jenn Wasner spent her time – which would have otherwise been spent on tour – focusing on music. [1] At her home in Durham, North Carolina, she recorded the material for an extended play entitled Like So Much Desire, which would be later surprise released in June as her debut on the independent label Sub Pop. [2] Also during isolation, Wasner had been reckoning with the emotional consequences of the dissolution of her two most recent relationships, [3] and had decided to channel these experiences into writing a new album, [1] [4] her second as Flock of Dimes following 2016's If You See Me, Say Yes . [5]

The majority of the songs that would end up on the album were written during the brief period between March to April 2020, [3] with the exception of some songs such as "Two" or "2 Heads", the latter written back in 2015. [6] In July, [7] she managed to bring together a number of collaborators to record at Sylvan Esso's studio, Betty's, [8] conveniently near her Durham home. [4] The album was produced by Wasner with Sylvan Esso's Nick Sanborn, with contributions from Sanborn and others such as Meg Duffy on guitar, [8] Matt McCaughan of Bon Iver on drums, Adam Schatz of Landlady on saxophone, [4] and Andy Stack (the other half of Wye Oak with Wasner) on cello. [9]

Promotion and singles

On February 3, 2021, Wasner announced Head of Roses with its track listing, cover art, and lead single "Two". The song was accompanied by a music video that was directed by Lola B. Pierson and Cricket Arrison and starred Arrison and Wasner. [10] With duality as the theme, the video shows its co-stars who live opposing daily schedules meet together at the middle of three consecutive days. [11]

In contrast to the majority of the album, "Two" was conceived before pandemic lockdown began in March 2020. Whereas most of Head of Roses had been written in the context of the breakdown of a relationship, "Two" relates to the beginning of one. According to an interview with Stereogum , she was "in a more optimistic and upbeat kind of headspace" during the writing process, allowing her to more freely explore what constitutes an appropriate level of dependency between partners. [6] In April, "Two" charted in the US on Billboard 's Adult Alternative Airplay Chart at no. 39. [12]

Three more singles were released in anticipation of Head of Roses: "Price of Blue" on February 25, [13] "Hard Way" on March 16, [14] and "One More Hour" on March 30. [15]

Release

Head of Roses was released on April 2, 2021, [11] Flock of Dimes' first full-length record on Sub Pop. [1] It peaked on the UK Record Store Chart at no. 15. [16]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
AnyDecentMusic?7.4/10 [17]
Metacritic 79/100 [18]
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [19]
Beats Per Minute 83% [9]
The Independent Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [20]
The Line of Best Fit 7/10 [21]
Mojo Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [22]
MusicOMH Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [23]
Paste 8.1/10 [1]
Pitchfork 7.5/10 [4]
Uncut 8/10 [24]
Under the Radar 7.5/10 [8]

According to the review aggregator Metacritic , Dim Probs received "generally favorable reviews" based on a weighted average score of 79 out of 100 from 11 critic scores. [18] On another aggregator AnyDecentMusic?, it was given an average of 7.4 out of 10 based on a different sample of 11 critical reviews. [17]

Year-end lists

PublicationListRankRef.
Stereogum The 50 Best Albums of 202148 [25]
Under the Radar Top 100 Albums of 202130 [26]

Track listing

All tracks are written by Jenn Wasner, except "One More Hour" which was written by Wasner and Scott Harper. [27]

Head of Roses track listing
No.TitleLength
1."2 Heads"3:01
2."Price of Blue"6:22
3."Two"3:38
4."Hard Way"3:13
5."Walking"3:47
6."Lightning"4:15
7."One More Hour"3:43
8."No Question"4:08
9."Awake for the Sunrise"3:58
10."Head of Roses"4:35
Total length:40:40

Personnel

Credits are adapted from the LP notes. [27]

Musicians

Technical and design

Charts

Chart performance for Head of Roses
Chart (2021)Peak
position
UK Record Store (OCC) [16] 15
Chart performance for "Two"
Chart (2021)Peak
position
US Adult Alternative Songs ( Billboard ) [12] 39

Head of Roses: Phantom Limb

Head of Roses: Phantom Limb
Head of Roses Phantom Limb.jpg
Compilation album by
Flock of Dimes
ReleasedApril 15, 2022
Studio
Length58:10
Label Sub Pop
Producer
Flock of Dimes chronology
Head of Roses
(2021)		Head of Roses: Phantom Limb
(2022)		 The Life You Save
(2025)
Singles from Head of Roses: Phantom Limb
  1. "Through Me"
    Released: October 6, 2021 [29]
  2. "It Just Goes On"
    Released: March 23, 2022 [28]
  3. "Go with Good"
    Released: April 11, 2022 [30]

Head of Roses: Phantom Limb is a compilation album by Flock of Dimes, released on April 15, 2022 through Sub Pop Records. [28]

With two unrelated original songs ("It Just Goes On" and "Through Me"), two covers, and two solo piano versions of songs from Flock of Dimes' EP Like So Much Desire (2020), the remainder of the compilation is derived from the track listing on Head of Roses, [31] consisting of two outtakes, five live songs, and an acoustic demo. [28]

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [32]
Under the Radar 8/10 [31]

Track listing

All tracks are written by Jenn Wasner, except where noted. [33]

Head of Roses: Phantom Limb track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."It Just Goes On" 3:33
2."Go with Good"
  • Wasner
  • Scott Harper
4:27
3."Price of Blue" (Tiny Desk version) 6:03
4."Through Me" 3:59
5."Wonder" 3:20
6."Two" (live at Betty's) 3:28
7."Hard Way" (live at KEXP) 3:24
8."The Weakness in Me" Joan Armatrading 3:42
9."Like So Much Desire" (solo piano) 3:31
10."One More Hour" (live at Betty's)
  • Wasner
  • Harper
4:14
11."Lightning" (acoustic demo) 4:02
12."Amelia" Joni Mitchell 5:52
13."Awake for the Sunrise" (live at Betty's) 4:06
14."Spring in Water" (solo piano) 4:29
Total length:58:10

Technical personnel

Credits are adapted from Tidal. [33]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Johnson, Ellen (April 2, 2021). "Jenn Wasner Spreads Her Wings on Second LP as Flock of Dimes". Paste . Retrieved September 28, 2025.
  2. ↑ Schatz, Lake (June 23, 2020). "Jenn Wasner's Flock of Dimes Signs to Sub Pop, Drops Surprise EP: Stream". Consequence of Sound . Retrieved October 1, 2025.
  3. 1 2 Garcia-Navarro, Lulu (April 11, 2011). "Wye Oak's Jenn Wasner Is On Her Own In New Album, 'Head Of Roses'". NPR . Retrieved October 1, 2025.
  4. 1 2 3 4 Press-Reynolds, Kieran (April 5, 2021). "Albums: Head of Roses – Flock of Dimes". Pitchfork . Retrieved September 28, 2025.
  5. ↑ Pearlman, Mischa (April 22, 2021). "Reviews: Flock of Dimes, 'Head of Roses'". Flood Magazine. Retrieved September 29, 2025.
  6. 1 2 Leas, Ryan (April 2, 2021). "The Story Behind Every Song On Flock Of Dimes' New Album Head Of Roses". Stereogum . Retrieved October 1, 2025.
  7. ↑ Zoladz, Lindsay (March 30, 2021). "How Flock of Dimes Found Herself (With a Little Help From Her Friends)". The New York Times . Retrieved September 30, 2025.
  8. 1 2 3 Moody, Mark (March 31, 2021). "Flock of Dimes – Head of Roses (Sub Pop)". Under the Radar . Retrieved September 28, 2025.
  9. 1 2 Fisette, Jeremy J. (April 5, 2021). "Album Review: Flock of Dimes – Head of Roses". Beats Per Minute . Retrieved September 28, 2025.
  10. ↑ Pearis, Bill (February 3, 2021). "Flock of Dimes (Jenn Wasner) announces new album, shares 'Two'". BrooklynVegan . Retrieved October 2, 2025.
  11. 1 2 Arnone, Joey (February 3, 2021). "Flock of Dimes (Wye Oak's Jenn Wasner) Announces New Album and Shares Video for New Song 'Two'". Under the Radar . Retrieved September 28, 2025.
  12. 1 2 "Flock of Dimes Chart History (Adult Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved September 28, 2025.
  13. ↑ Enis, Eli (February 25, 2021). "Jenn Wasner's Flock of Dimes Shares New Song 'Price of Blue': Stream". Consequence of Sound . Retrieved September 28, 2025.
  14. ↑ Kenneally, Cerys (March 16, 2021). "Flock of Dimes previews second album with third single 'Hard Way'". The Line of Best Fit . Retrieved September 28, 2025.
  15. ↑ Leas, Ryan (March 30, 2021). "Flock Of Dimes – 'One More Hour'". Stereogum . Retrieved September 28, 2025.
  16. 1 2 "Flock of Dimes | Artist | Official Charts". Official Charts Company . Retrieved September 28, 2025.
  17. 1 2 "Flock of Dimes – Head Of Roses". AnyDecentMusic?. Retrieved September 28, 2025.
  18. 1 2 "Head of Roses by Flock of Dimes". Metacritic . Retrieved September 28, 2025.
  19. ↑ Monger, Timothy. Head of Roses Review at AllMusic. Retrieved September 28, 2025.
  20. ↑ Brodsky, Rachel (April 1, 2021). "Flock of Dimes – Head of Roses". The Independent . Retrieved September 28, 2025.
  21. ↑ Scott, Paddy (March 31, 2021). "Flock of Dimes' second outing is a hazy reckoning with identity". The Line of Best Fit . Retrieved September 28, 2025.
  22. ↑ Bungey, John (March 16, 2021). "Filter Albums Extra: Flock Of Dimes – Head Of Roses". Mojo . No. 330 (May 2021). Peterborough, England: H Bauer Publishing. p. 88. ISSN   1351-0193.
  23. ↑ Johnson, Steven (March 31, 2021). "Album Reviews: Flock Of Dimes – Head Of Roses". MusicOMH . Retrieved September 28, 2025.
  24. ↑ Wray, Daniel Dylan (March 18, 2021). "New Albums: Flock of Dimes – Head Of Roses (Subpop)". Uncut . No. 288 (May 2021). London: BandLab Technologies. p. 25. ISSN   1368-0722.
  25. ↑ Breihan, Tom; et al. (December 6, 2021). "The 50 Best Albums Of 2021". Stereogum . Retrieved September 28, 2025.
  26. ↑ Campbell, Caleb; et al. (January 7, 2022). "Under the Radar's Top 100 Albums of 2021 Part 1". Under the Radar . Retrieved September 28, 2025.
  27. 1 2 Flock of Dimes (2021). Head of Roses (LP notes). Sub Pop. SP1405.
  28. 1 2 3 4 Kenneally, Cerys (March 23, 2022). "Flock of Dimes announces Head of Roses: Phantom Limb with new song 'It Just Goes On'". The Line of Best Fit . Retrieved September 28, 2025.
  29. ↑ Rowley, Glenn (October 6, 2021). "Jenn Wasner's Flock of Dimes Drops New Song 'Through Me': Stream". Consequence . Retrieved September 28, 2025.
  30. ↑ Rettig, James (April 11, 2022). "Flock Of Dimes – 'Go With Good'". Stereogum . Retrieved September 28, 2025.
  31. 1 2 Moody, Mark (April 16, 2022). "Flock of Dimes – Head of Roses: Phantom Limb (Sub Pop)". Under the Radar . Retrieved September 28, 2025.
  32. ↑ Monger, Timothy. Head of Roses: Phantom Limb Review at AllMusic. Retrieved September 28, 2025.
  33. 1 2 "Head of Roses: Phantom Limb / Flock Of Dimes / Credits". Tidal. April 2, 2021. Retrieved September 28, 2025.
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