Live Drugs

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Live Drugs
Live album by
The War on Drugs
ReleasedNovember 20, 2020
Recorded2014–2019
VenueVarious tour dates
Label Super High Quality
The War on Drugs chronology
A Deeper Understanding
(2017)		Live Drugs
(2020)		I Don't Live Here Anymore
(2021)

Live Drugs is a live album by American rock band The War on Drugs, released on November 20, 2020 by Super High Quality Records, the imprint founded by bandleader Adam Granduciel. [1] [2] The set compiles performances captured between 2014 and 2019 and was sequenced to mirror a typical 70-minute concert set by the band. [1]

Contents

Background and recording

The band assembled Live Drugs from more than 40 hard drives of soundboard recordings spanning multiple tours. The goal was to document live arrangements that evolved on stage across the 2014–2019 period. Granduciel curated the material with longtime confidant Dominic East, who is credited as co-producer. [1] The track selection includes the Warren Zevon cover "Accidentally Like a Martyr" and an early live version of "Strangest Thing". The running order was designed to replicate the flow of a full show. [1]

Release and promotion

Live Drugs was announced on October 6, 2020, alongside the release of the lead track "Pain (Live)". [1] The band also launched Season 1 of the Super High Quality Podcast, a four-part series discussing the live recordings and decisions behind the album. [3]

Composition

The album functions as a concert document rather than a single-show recording. It draws from tours supporting Lost in the Dream and A Deeper Understanding , and includes long-running set pieces such as the transition from "Under the Pressure" into "In Reverse". [1]

Critical reception

Live Drugs received positive notices from critics. Pitchfork writer Steven Arroyo scored the set 7.8 out of 10, noting the sequencing captured the band's metamorphosis and praising the clean mix that highlighted the expanded lineup's low-end power. [4] The Fire Note's Brian Q. Newcomb called the release a gift during a year without concerts and highlighted the organic energy and extended jams that distinguish the performances from their studio counterparts. [5]

Track listing

All tracks are written by The War on Drugs, except where noted [1] [6] [7]

No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."An Ocean Between the Waves (Live)" 7:30
2."Pain (Live)" 5:16
3."Strangest Thing (Live)" 7:13
4."Red Eyes (Live)" 5:49
5."Thinking of a Place (Live)" 10:36
6."Buenos Aires Beach (Live)" 5:09
7."Accidentally Like a Martyr (Live)"Warren Zevon4:27
8."Eyes to the Wind (Live)" 9:13
9."Under the Pressure (Live)" 11:58
10."In Reverse (Live)" 7:37

Personnel

Adapted from the band and mastering engineer pages.

Production

Charts

Chart (2020)Peak
pposition
UK Albums (OCC) [9] 80
UK Independent Albums (OCC) [10] 12
UK Vinyl Albums (OCC) [11] 12
UK Scottish Albums (OCC) [12] 41

Release history

RegionDateLabel
WorldwideNovember 20, 2020Super High Quality

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "LIVE DRUGS, OUT NOVEMBER 20, 2020". thewarondrugs.net. The War On Drugs. October 6, 2020. Retrieved September 30, 2025.
  2. ↑ "LIVE DRUGS: Vinyl 2LP". The War On Drugs official store. The War On Drugs. November 20, 2020. Retrieved September 30, 2025.
  3. ↑ "The Super High Quality Podcast – Season 1". thewarondrugs.net. The War On Drugs. Retrieved September 30, 2025.
  4. ↑ Arroyo, Steven (November 23, 2020). "The War on Drugs: LIVE DRUGS Album Review". Pitchfork. Condé Nast. Retrieved October 1, 2025.
  5. ↑ Newcomb, Brian Q. (December 1, 2020). "The War On Drugs: LIVE DRUGS [Album Review]". The Fire Note. The Fire Note. Retrieved October 1, 2025.
  6. ↑ "LIVE DRUGS playlist". SoundCloud. The War On Drugs. November 20, 2020. Retrieved September 30, 2025.
  7. ↑ "LIVE DRUGS by The War on Drugs". Apple Music. Apple Inc. November 20, 2020. Retrieved October 1, 2025.
  8. ↑ "Calbi / Fallone – mastering credits". Sterling Sound. Sterling Sound. Retrieved September 30, 2025.
  9. ↑ "Official Albums Chart on 27/11/2020". Official Charts Company. Official Charts Company. November 27, 2020. Retrieved September 30, 2025.
  10. ↑ "Official Independent Albums Chart on 27/11/2020". Official Charts Company. Official Charts Company. November 27, 2020. Retrieved September 30, 2025.
  11. ↑ "Official Vinyl Albums Chart on 27/11/2020". Official Charts Company. Official Charts Company. November 27, 2020. Retrieved September 30, 2025.
  12. ↑ "Official Scottish Albums Chart on 27/11/2020". Official Charts Company. Official Charts Company. November 27, 2020. Retrieved September 30, 2025.
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