Versions of Modern Performance is the debut studio album by the American rock band Horsegirl. It was released on June 3, 2022 via Matador.
| Versions of Modern Performance | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Studio album by | |
| Released | June 3, 2022 |
| Studio | Electrical Audio, Chicago, Illinois |
| Genre | Indie rock |
| Length | 33:07 |
| Language | English |
| Label | Matador |
| Producer | John Agnello |
The group was influenced by Sonic Youth, Yo La Tengo, and Stereolab while writing the album. [1]
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]
The first single, "Billy", was released on November 16, 2021. [3] The album was announced on March 9, 2022 along with the single "Anti-glory". [4] Two more singles, "World of Pots and Pans" [5] and "Dirtbag Transformation", [6] preceded the album's release.
The band headlined a tour in Europe and the UK [7] followed by a tour in the United States during the summer of 2022. [8] The band performed at Lollapalooza for the first time. [9]
In September, 2023, Horsegirl opened for The Breeders on their Last Splash 30th Anniversary Tour for a few dates in the midwest. [10]
| Aggregate scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Metacritic | 82/100 [11] |
| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [12] |
| Pitchfork | 7.3/10 [13] |
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. [14]
| Publication | List | Rank | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| A.V. Club | The 30 Best Albums of 2022 | 25 | [15] |
| BrooklynVegan | Indie Basement: Top 40 Albums of 2022 | 38 | [16] |
| Crack | The Top 50 Albums of the Year | 12 | [17] |
| Gorilla vs. Bear | Gorilla vs. Bear's albums of 2022 | 35 | [18] |
| Metacritic | The Freshman 15: 2022's Best Debut Albums | 14 | [19] |
| NME | The 25 Best Debut Albums of 2022 | N/A | [20] |
| Paste | The 50 Best Albums of 2022 | 27 | [21] |
| Rolling Stone | The 100 Best Albums of 2022 | 56 | [22] |
| Stereogum | The 50 Best Albums of 2022 | 15 | [23] |
| Under the Radar | Top 100 Best Albums of 2022 | 32 | [24] |
All tracks are written by Gigi Reece, Nora Cheng and Penelope Lowenstein
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 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".
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