Watch My Moves

Last updated

Watch My Moves
Kurt Vile - (watch my moves).jpeg
Studio album by
Kurt Vile
ReleasedApril 15, 2022
Genre
Length73:44
Label Verve Forecast
Producer
Kurt Vile chronology
Bottle It In
(2018)		Watch My Moves
(2022)		 Back to Moon Beach
(2023)
Singles from Watch My Moves
  1. "Like Exploding Stones"
    Released: February 16, 2022 [4]

Watch My Moves, stylized as (watch my moves), is the ninth studio album by American indie rock musician Kurt Vile, released on April 15, 2022, on Verve Forecast Records. Co-produced by Vile and Rob Schnapf, the album's initial recording sessions began in 2019, during the tour in support of Vile's previous album, Bottle It In . [5] The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, however, resulted in Vile building a home recording studio, OKV Central, at which he, Schnapf and his backing band the Violators worked on the majority of the album's songs across lockdowns in 2020 and 2021. [5]

Contents

Preceded by the singles "Like Exploding Stones", "Hey Like a Child" and "Mount Airy Hill (Way Gone)" the album was released to generally favorable reviews. [6]

Background and recording

Work on Watch My Moves began in 2019, with Vile feeling inspired by the full-band performances of his backing band the Violators during the tour in support of his eighth studio album, Bottle It In : "I was really into touring as a band and playing live and then because we're all together, somehow get into the studio wherever we are, in a Neil Young kind of way. You just go in there and play live." [5] In the autumn of 2019, Vile recorded new material for the album with singer-songwriter and producer Cate Le Bon, [5] with one of the tracks from these sessions, "Jesus on a Wire", ultimately appearing on the album.

In early 2020, prior to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Vile was in the midst of recording and co-producing Dinosaur Jr's twelfth studio album, Sweep It Into Space , and had performed and recorded with John Prine for his Speed, Sound, Lonely KV EP. Vile and the Violators completed a six-day recording session with Rob Schnapf in California, with Vile planning to work on a studio album with The Sadies and embark on a solo European tour in the summer. Reflecting on this time, Vile remarked: "I remember I was so exhausted". [5]

The COVID-19 lockdowns resulted in Vile putting his 2020 plans on hold. Throughout the year, he built a basement studio at his home in Mount Airy, Philadelphia, called OKV Central, and took his time writing and recording new material across 2020 and 2021: "If I didn't have some solid songs in my pocket I guess I would have been more stressed out during lockdown, but because I knew I had some solid things to fall back on I knew I could take my time and make this record." [7] Over the next year-and-a-half, Vile balanced home life with his family alongside recording Watch My Moves with co-producer Schnapf and the Violators: "I thought about this record every single day obsessively since I've been making it. I would just wake up thinking about just wanting it to be amazing." [5]

The album was recorded at Vile's home studio OKV Central, in Mount Airy, Philadelphia, with Vile playing alongside his backing band The Violators, as well as Rob Schnapf and James Stewart. It was self-produced by Vile in collaboration with Schnapf. Additional contributors to the album include Cate Le Bon, Chastity Belt, Stella Mozgawa, and Sarah Jones. The album also includes a cover of Bruce Springsteen's song "Wages of Sin". [3] [8]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic 79/100 [6]
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [9]
DIY Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svg [10]
Exclaim! 8/10 [11]
NME Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [12]
Pitchfork 7.4/10 [1]
PopMatters 6/10 [13]
Rolling Stone Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svg [14]
Slant Magazine Star full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [2]

Watch My Moves received generally favorable reviews from critics; review aggregator Metacritic gave the album a weighted average score of 79/100, based on 15 critic reviews. [6] The album was noted for its generally relaxed feeling. [14] [1] Writing for Rolling Stone , Simon Vozick-Levinson described the album as a "majestically mellow zone-out session", giving the album 3.5 starts out of 5. [14] For Pitchfork , Sam Sodomsky wrote that the album "conjures images of dreaming and traveling without worrying where they lead" and that "Vile's singing leans toward the deadpan spoken word of late-career Lou Reed", rating the album 7.4 out of 10. [1] Concluding the review for AllMusic, Fred Thomas claimed that "The sounds will be familiar (even comforting) to longtime fans, but there are so many unpredictable turns and head-scratching moments that Vile ends up taking his music somewhere new by approaching the same kind of songwriting he's been doing since he started from unlikely angles." [9]

Writing for NME , Rhys Buchanan said of the album that "Vile isn't about to abandon the formula that's served him so well... It packs that wholesome, easy charm he's always held", giving the album 4 out of 5 stars. [12] In a less positive review, Thomas Bedenbaugh of Slant Magazine gave the album 2.5 stars out of 5, arguing that while the album was a "competently written set of Americana-inflected folk rock", it was nevertheless "disappointing to see the artist play it so safe." [2]

Track listing

All tracks are written by Kurt Vile except "Wages of Sin", written by Bruce Springsteen

Watch My Moves track listing
No.TitleProducer(s)Length
1."Goin on a Plane Today"
2:29
2."Flyin (Like a Fast Train)"
  • Vile
  • Schnapf
4:46
3."Palace of OKV in Reverse"
  • Vile
  • Schnapf
2:53
4."Like Exploding Stones"
7:18
5."Mount Airy Hill (Way Gone)"
  • Vile
  • Schnapf
  • Trbovich
  • Spence
  • Laakso
5:32
6."Hey Like a Child"
  • Vile
  • Schnapf
5:46
7."Jesus on a Wire"
5:15
8."Fo Sho"
  • Vile
  • Schnapf
4:52
9."Cool Water"
  • Vile
  • Schnapf
  • Trbovich
  • Spence
  • Laakso
5:05
10."Chazzy Don't Mind"
  • Vile
  • Schnapf
5:33
11."(Shiny Things)"Vile0:58
12."Say the Word"
  • Vile
  • Schnapf
  • Trbovich
  • Spence
  • Laakso
5:48
13."Wages of Sin"
  • Vile
  • Schnapf
  • Trbovich
  • Spence
  • Laakso
7:34
14."Kurt Runner"Vile3:16
15."Stuffed Leopard"
  • Vile
  • Schnapf
6:39
Total length:73:44

Personnel

Musicians

Technical

Artwork

Charts

Chart performance for Watch My Moves
Chart (2022)Peak
position
Australian Albums (ARIA) [15] 100
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders) [16] 15
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia) [17] 90
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100) [18] 39
French Albums (SNEP) [19] 144
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100) [20] 38
Scottish Albums (OCC) [21] 4
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade) [22] 26
UK Albums (OCC) [23] 33
US Billboard 200 [24] 185
US Top Alternative Albums (Billboard) [25] 22
US Top Rock Albums (Billboard) [26] 34

Related Research Articles

<i>Chaos and Creation in the Backyard</i> 2005 studio album by Paul McCartney

Chaos and Creation in the Backyard is the thirteenth solo studio album by Paul McCartney, released on 12 and 13 September, 2005. Some 18 months in the making, the album was produced by Radiohead and Beck collaborator Nigel Godrich at George Martin's suggestion.

<i>New Sensations</i> 1984 studio album by Lou Reed

New Sensations is the thirteenth solo studio album by American rock musician Lou Reed, released in April 1984 by RCA Records. John Jansen and Reed produced the album. New Sensations peaked at No. 56 on the U.S. Billboard 200 and at No. 92 on the UK Albums Chart. This marked the first time that Reed charted within the US Top 100 since his eighth solo studio album Street Hassle (1978), and the first time that Reed had charted in the UK since his sixth solo studio album Coney Island Baby (1976). Three singles were released from the album: "I Love You, Suzanne", "My Red Joystick" and "High in the City", with "I Love You, Suzanne" being the only single to chart, peaking at No. 78 on the UK Singles Chart. The music video for "I Love You, Suzanne" did, however, receive light rotation on MTV.

<i>You Aint Woman Enough</i> 1966 studio album by Loretta Lynn

You Ain't Woman Enough is the seventh solo studio album by American country music singer-songwriter Loretta Lynn. It was released on September 12, 1966, by Decca Records. It was Lynn's first No. 1 album on the US Billboard Hot Country Albums chart, as well as her first album to chart on the Billboard Top LPs chart.

<i>Your Squaw Is on the Warpath</i> 1969 studio album by Loretta Lynn

Your Squaw Is on the Warpath is thirteenth solo studio album by American country music singer-songwriter Loretta Lynn. It was released on February 17, 1969, by Decca Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cate Le Bon</span> Welsh musician, songwriter and record producer

Cate Le Bon is a Welsh musician, songwriter and record producer. She sings in both English and Welsh. She has released six solo studio albums, to date, and is one half of the experimental music duo DRINKS with her partner Tim Presley. Her stage name is a tribute to English musician Simon Le Bon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The War on Drugs (band)</span> American rock band

The War on Drugs is an American rock band from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, formed in 2005. The band consists of Adam Granduciel, David Hartley, Robbie Bennett (keyboards), Charlie Hall (drums), Jon Natchez, Anthony LaMarca (guitar) and Eliza Hardy Jones.

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

Kurt Samuel Vile is an American singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and record producer. He is known for his solo work, music released under the name "Kurt Vile and The Violators," and as the former lead guitarist of rock band the War on Drugs. Both in the studio and during live performances, Vile is accompanied by his backing band, the Violators, which currently includes Jesse Trbovich, Kyle Spence (drums) and Adam Langellotti.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Woods (band)</span> American folk rock band

Woods is an American folk rock band from Brooklyn, New York, formed in 2005. The band consists of Jeremy Earl, Jarvis Taveniere, Aaron Neveu (drums), Chuck Van Dyck (bass), and Kyle Forester. The band's former bassist, Kevin Morby, left the band in 2013.

<i>Childish Prodigy</i> 2009 studio album by Kurt Vile

Childish Prodigy is the third studio album by American indie rock musician Kurt Vile, released on October 6, 2009 on Matador Records. Upon the album's release, Vile stated, "I tell people it’s my masterpiece. It's pretty epic. I put a lot of money into it. It cost in the thousands."

<i>Smoke Ring for My Halo</i> 2011 studio album by Kurt Vile

Smoke Ring for My Halo is the fourth studio album by American indie rock musician Kurt Vile, released on March 8, 2011 on Matador. A deluxe edition was released in November 2011, including the subsequent EP, So Outta Reach (2011). The album was produced by John Agnello, Kurt Vile and his backing band, the Violators. Regarding the album's lyrical content, Vile stated: "It’s just me and those thoughts you have late at night when nobody is around. It is more a feeling than a statement – a general wandering feeling. It’s kind of a wandering record."

<i>Constant Hitmaker</i> 2008 studio album by Kurt Vile

Constant Hitmaker is the debut studio album by American indie rock musician Kurt Vile, released in 2008 on Gulcher Records and Woodsist. Self-produced, and recorded between 2003 and 2007, the album is primarily composed of lo-fi home recordings that Vile had previously issued on CD-R.

<i>The Hunchback</i> (EP) 2009 EP by Kurt Vile & the Violators

The Hunchback EP is an EP by American indie rock band Kurt Vile & the Violators, released on April 13, 2009 on Richie Records, and subsequently re-released on January 22, 2013. Produced and recorded by guitarist Adam Granduciel, the EP preceded the release of Vile's third studio album, Childish Prodigy (2009), and is the first to be credited to both Vile and his backing band.

<i>Wakin on a Pretty Daze</i> 2013 studio album by Kurt Vile

Wakin on a Pretty Daze is the fifth studio album by American indie rock musician Kurt Vile, released on April 9, 2013, on Matador Records. Produced by both John Agnello and Kurt Vile & the Violators, the album is the first not to feature contributions from long-time collaborator and former bandmate Adam Granduciel.

<i>Blieve Im Goin Down...</i> 2015 studio album by Kurt Vile

B'lieve I'm Goin Down... is the sixth studio album by American indie rock musician Kurt Vile, released on September 25, 2015, on Matador Records. A deluxe edition, B'lieve I'm Goin (Deep) Down..., featuring six additional tracks, was released on the same day.

<i>Cody</i> (album) 2016 studio album by Joyce Manor

Cody is the fourth studio album by American rock band Joyce Manor, released on October 7, 2016 by Epitaph Records. The California-based quartet first formed in the late 2000s, building a fanbase online and through exhausting touring. Its previous album, Never Hungover Again (2014), had cemented its status as one of the biggest pop-punk bands of the 2010s, earning rave reviews from critics. In the interim, the band dismissed original drummer Kurt Walcher, replacing him with Jeff Enzor, and frontman Barry Johnson embraced meditation.

<i>Lotta Sea Lice</i> 2017 studio album by Courtney Barnett and Kurt Vile

Lotta Sea Lice is a collaborative studio album between Courtney Barnett and Kurt Vile, released on October 13, 2017, on Matador, Marathon Artists and Milk! Records. The album has received positive critical reviews.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Loading Zones</span> 2018 single by Kurt Vile

"Loading Zones" is a song by American indie rock musician Kurt Vile, released as the first single from his 2018 album Bottle It In. Though the song's title refers to Vile's bragging about his skill at parking in restricted areas without receiving a parking ticket, it is more generally an ode to his hometown of Lansdowne, Pennsylvania.

<i>Bottle It In</i> 2018 studio album by Kurt Vile

Bottle It In is the eighth studio album by American musician Kurt Vile, released on October 12, 2018 through Matador Records. It features contributions from Kim Gordon, Cass McCombs, Stella Mozgawa of Warpaint, and Mary Lattimore.

<i>Sling</i> (album) 2021 studio album by Clairo

Sling is the second studio album by American singer and songwriter Clairo. It was released on July 16, 2021, through Fader and Republic. It serves as the follow-up to her debut album, Immunity. The album was announced on June 11, 2021, alongside the release of the lead single, "Blouse".

<i>Back to Moon Beach</i> 2023 EP by Kurt Vile

Back to Moon Beach is an EP by American indie rock musician Kurt Vile, released on November 17, 2023, through Verve Forecast Records. Although it has the duration of a full-length album, it was marketed as an EP, with Vile's label Verve calling it an "EP by no one's definition but Kurt Vile's".

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Kurt Vile: (watch my moves) Album Review". Pitchfork . April 15, 2022. Retrieved April 15, 2022.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Bedenbaugh, Thomas (April 11, 2022). "Kurt Vile Watch My Moves Review: A Too-Familiar Set of Americana-Tinged Rock". Slant Magazine . Retrieved April 15, 2022.
  3. 1 2 Minsker, Evan (February 15, 2022). "Kurt Vile Announces New Album (watch my moves) and Tour, Shares Video for New Song: Watch". Pitchfork. Retrieved April 15, 2022.
  4. ↑ Billy, August (February 16, 2022). "Kurt Vile Releases 'Like Exploding Stones', First Single From Upcoming Album". Music Feeds. Retrieved April 15, 2022.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Wallacavage, Adam (May 2020). "Rollin' With the Flow". Uncut .
  6. 1 2 3 "(Watch My Moves) by Kurt Vile Reviews and Tracks". Metacritic. Retrieved April 17, 2022.
  7. ↑ Clarke, Patrick (April 15, 2022). "Kurt Vile on new single 'Like Exploding Stones' and new album 'watch my moves'". NME . Retrieved April 15, 2022.
  8. ↑ Russell, Scott (February 15, 2022). "Kurt Vile Announces New Album (watch my moves), Shares "Like Exploding Stones" Video". Paste Magazine. Retrieved April 15, 2022.
  9. 1 2 Thomas, Fred. "(Watch My Moves) – Kurt Vile | Songs, Reviews Credits". AllMusic . Retrieved April 15, 2022.
  10. ↑ Goggins, Joe (April 13, 2022). "Kurt Vile - (Watch My Moves)". DIY . Retrieved April 15, 2022.
  11. ↑ Sylvester, David (April 14, 2022). "Kurt Vile Further Hones His Languid Focus on '(watch my moves)'". Exclaim! . Retrieved April 15, 2022.
  12. 1 2 Buchanan, Rhys (April 13, 2022). "Kurt Vile – '(watch my moves)' review: Philly hero keeps it weird on freewheeling ninth album". NME . Retrieved April 15, 2022.
  13. ↑ Elliott, Michael (April 14, 2022). "Kurt Vile Invites Us To Watch His Moves". PopMatters . Retrieved April 15, 2022.
  14. 1 2 3 Vozick-Levinson, Simon (April 13, 2022). "Kurt Vile's 'Watch My Moves' Is a Majestically Mellow Zone-Out Session". Rolling Stone. Retrieved April 15, 2022.
  15. ↑ "The ARIA Report: Week Commencing 25 April 2022". The ARIA Report. No. 1677. Australian Recording Industry Association. April 25, 2022. p. 6.
  16. ↑ "Ultratop.be – Kurt Vile – (Watch My Moves)" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved April 24, 2022.
  17. ↑ "Ultratop.be – Kurt Vile – (Watch My Moves)" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved April 24, 2022.
  18. ↑ "Dutchcharts.nl – Kurt Vile – (Watch My Moves)" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved April 23, 2022.
  19. ↑ "Top Albums (Week 16, 2022)". Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved April 25, 2022.
  20. ↑ "Offiziellecharts.de – Kurt Vile – (Watch My Moves)" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved April 22, 2022.
  21. ↑ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 23, 2022.
  22. ↑ "Swisscharts.com – Kurt Vile – (Watch My Moves)". Hung Medien. Retrieved April 24, 2022.
  23. ↑ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 22, 2022.
  24. ↑ "Kurt Vile Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved April 26, 2022.
  25. ↑ "Kurt Vile Chart History (Top Alternative Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved April 26, 2022.
  26. ↑ "Kurt Vile Chart History (Top Rock Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved April 26, 2022.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.