Versions of Modern Performance

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Versions of Modern Performance is the debut studio album by the American rock band Horsegirl. It was released on June 3, 2022 via Matador.

Contents

Versions of Modern Performance
Versions of Modern Performance.jpg
Studio album by
ReleasedJune 3, 2022 (2022-06-03)
StudioElectrical Audio, Chicago, Illinois
Genre indie rock, experimental rock, alternative rock, shoegaze, post-punk, slacker rock, noise pop
Length33:07
LanguageEnglish
Label Matador
Producer John Agnello

Influences

The group was influenced by Sonic Youth, Yo La Tengo, Stereolab and other 1990s indie bands while writing the album. [1]

Writing and recording

The album was written while the members of Horsegirl were in high school and recorded during the summer of 2021 at Electrical Audio in Chicago, Illinois with John Agnello. [2]

Steve Shelley of Sonic Youth is credited for auxiliary percussion on "Billy" and Lee Ranaldo is credited for guitars on "Beautiful Song". [1] [3]

Singles and promotion

The first single, "Billy", was released on November 16, 2021. [4] The album was announced on March 9, 2022 along with the single "Anti-glory". [5] Two more singles, "World of Pots and Pans" [6] and "Dirtbag Transformation", [7] preceded the album's release.

The band headlined a tour in Europe and the UK [8] followed by a tour in the United States during the summer of 2022. [9] The band performed at Lollapalooza in Chicago in 2022, for the first time. [10]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic 82/100 [11]
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svg [12]

Versions of Modern Performance was met with critical acclaim upon its release, with many praising its reminiscent 1990s indie rock sound. The album appeared on multiple year-end lists and was named album of the week by Stereogum upon its release. [13]

Year-end lists
PublicationListRankRef.
A.V. Club The 30 Best Albums of 202225 [14]
BrooklynVegan Indie Basement: Top 40 Albums of 202238 [15]
Crack The Top 50 Albums of the Year12 [16]
Gorilla vs. Bear Gorilla vs. Bear's albums of 202235 [17]
Metacritic The Freshman 15: 2022's Best Debut Albums14 [18]
NME The 25 Best Debut Albums of 2022N/A [19]
Paste The 50 Best Albums of 202227 [20]
Rolling Stone The 100 Best Albums of 202256 [21]
Stereogum The 50 Best Albums of 202215 [22]
Under the Radar Top 100 Best Albums of 202232 [23]

Track listing

All tracks are written by Gigi Reece, Nora Cheng and Penelope Lowenstein

No.TitleLength
1."Anti-glory"3:31
2."Beautiful Song"2:57
3."Live and Ski"2:23
4."Bog Bog 1"1:53
5."Dirtbag Transformation (Still Dirty)"3:05
6."The Fall of Horsegirl"2:40
7."Electrolocation 2"1:56
8."Option 8"3:32
9."World of Pots and Pans"2:51
10."The Guitar is Dead 3"0:49
11."Homage to Birdnoculars"3:37
12."Billy"3:48
Total length:33:07

Note: On vinyl, "Electrolocation 2" precedes "Anti-glory".

Personnel

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References

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