Unlimited Streaming
Listen to this album in high quality now on our apps
Start my trial period and start listening to this albumEnjoy this album on Qobuz apps with your subscription
SubscribeEnjoy this album on Qobuz apps with your subscription
Digital Download
Purchase and download this album in a wide variety of formats depending on your needs.
While there's been something to be said for the cocoon that was the cottage-core trend of 2020—a cozy comfort the world needed as a bandage to protect against harsh reality—it's time for a change. Cooler Returns rips the bandage off, and it feels so good: sunny and exhilarating, and if the lyrics make no sense, does it even matter? Those non-sequitur one-liners, not to mention the inflection, delivery and timbre of Justin Gaudet's singing, made it impossible for the band to avoid comparisons to Pavement (truly, Gaudet and Stephen Malkmus sound like a DNA match) with their first album, 2019's Football Money. It's the same this time around, and hallelujah to that. "Tigers in the coliseum/ Lions at the Comfort Inn/ Rah rah Omaha/ Home of the husbands,” from "Omaha,” could've been lifted right off of Pavement's Watery, Domestic EP, but add a '60s pony dance beat and the obtuseness feels fresh as a daisy. "Hell yeah, the new game is insane and I'm stuck keeping the old score,” from the buoyant opener "Tyler” could be about a changing relationship or a video game sequel. Who cares, just listen to that dandy piano roll swan in. "Only Here for a Haircut,” all hazy guitars and punchy drums, and the ping-pong melody of "Cooler Returns” are instant mood-boosters. "Maid Marian's Toast” and "Waiting in Line” bring a delightful rumble to jangle pop. "Highlights of 100" gallops like a colt, while the insistent "Nashville Wedding” ("I wanna strangle the jangle pop band,” Gaudet wails, no irony) comes on like Lou Reed if he'd done speed instead of dope. There are also throughlines between songs like bouncy "Undecided Voters” and the especially terrific "Domino” and the joyous, controlled chaos of Apples in Stereo. Never let it be said the members of Kiwi Jr. (including Alvvays bassist Brian Murphy, who has compared Kiwi Jr.'s guitar style to a "very fast but friendly dog”) don't have good taste. "The obvious answer is they just can't stand us/ I can hardly stand to be stood up here at all,” Gaudet speak-sings on "Guilty Party,” too clever by half. Whatever, dude, just keep the serotonin flowing. © Shelly Ridenour/Qobuz
More infoYou are currently listening to samples.
Listen to over 100 million songs with an unlimited streaming plan.
Listen to this playlist and more than 100 million songs with our unlimited streaming plans.
From £10.83/month
Brian Murphy, Composer - Kiwi jr., MainArtist - Jeremy Gaudet, Composer, Lyricist - Brohan Francis Moore, Composer - Michael Philip Walker, Composer
© 2021 Sub Pop Records ℗ 2020 Sub Pop Records
Brian Murphy, Composer - Kiwi jr., MainArtist - Jeremy Gaudet, Composer, Lyricist - Brohan Francis Moore, Composer - Michael Philip Walker, Composer
© 2021 Sub Pop Records ℗ 2020 Sub Pop Records
Brian Murphy, Composer - Kiwi jr., MainArtist - Jeremy Gaudet, Composer, Lyricist - Brohan Francis Moore, Composer - Michael Philip Walker, Composer
© 2021 Sub Pop Records ℗ 2021 Sub Pop Records
Brian Murphy, Composer - Kiwi jr., MainArtist - Jeremy Gaudet, Composer, Lyricist - Brohan Francis Moore, Composer - Michael Philip Walker, Composer
© 2021 Sub Pop Records ℗ 2021 Sub Pop Records
Brian Murphy, Composer - Kiwi jr., MainArtist - Jeremy Gaudet, Composer, Lyricist - Brohan Francis Moore, Composer - Michael Philip Walker, Composer
© 2021 Sub Pop Records ℗ 2021 Sub Pop Records
Brian Murphy, Composer - Kiwi jr., MainArtist - Jeremy Gaudet, Composer, Lyricist - Brohan Francis Moore, Composer - Michael Philip Walker, Composer
© 2021 Sub Pop Records ℗ 2020 Sub Pop Records
Brian Murphy, Composer - Kiwi jr., MainArtist - Jeremy Gaudet, Composer, Lyricist - Brohan Francis Moore, Composer - Michael Philip Walker, Composer
© 2021 Sub Pop Records ℗ 2021 Sub Pop Records
Brian Murphy, Composer - Kiwi jr., MainArtist - Jeremy Gaudet, Composer, Lyricist - Brohan Francis Moore, Composer - Michael Philip Walker, Composer
© 2021 Sub Pop Records ℗ 2021 Sub Pop Records
Brian Murphy, Composer - Kiwi jr., MainArtist - Jeremy Gaudet, Composer, Lyricist - Brohan Francis Moore, Composer - Michael Philip Walker, Composer
© 2021 Sub Pop Records ℗ 2021 Sub Pop Records
Brian Murphy, Composer - Kiwi jr., MainArtist - Jeremy Gaudet, Composer, Lyricist - Brohan Francis Moore, Composer - Michael Philip Walker, Composer
© 2021 Sub Pop Records ℗ 2021 Sub Pop Records
Brian Murphy, Composer - Kiwi jr., MainArtist - Jeremy Gaudet, Composer, Lyricist - Brohan Francis Moore, Composer - Michael Philip Walker, Composer
© 2021 Sub Pop Records ℗ 2021 Sub Pop Records
Brian Murphy, Composer - Kiwi jr., MainArtist - Jeremy Gaudet, Composer, Lyricist - Brohan Francis Moore, Composer - Michael Philip Walker, Composer
© 2021 Sub Pop Records ℗ 2021 Sub Pop Records
Brian Murphy, Composer - Kiwi jr., MainArtist - Jeremy Gaudet, Composer, Lyricist - Brohan Francis Moore, Composer - Michael Philip Walker, Composer
© 2021 Sub Pop Records ℗ 2021 Sub Pop Records
Album review
While there's been something to be said for the cocoon that was the cottage-core trend of 2020—a cozy comfort the world needed as a bandage to protect against harsh reality—it's time for a change. Cooler Returns rips the bandage off, and it feels so good: sunny and exhilarating, and if the lyrics make no sense, does it even matter? Those non-sequitur one-liners, not to mention the inflection, delivery and timbre of Justin Gaudet's singing, made it impossible for the band to avoid comparisons to Pavement (truly, Gaudet and Stephen Malkmus sound like a DNA match) with their first album, 2019's Football Money. It's the same this time around, and hallelujah to that. "Tigers in the coliseum/ Lions at the Comfort Inn/ Rah rah Omaha/ Home of the husbands,” from "Omaha,” could've been lifted right off of Pavement's Watery, Domestic EP, but add a '60s pony dance beat and the obtuseness feels fresh as a daisy. "Hell yeah, the new game is insane and I'm stuck keeping the old score,” from the buoyant opener "Tyler” could be about a changing relationship or a video game sequel. Who cares, just listen to that dandy piano roll swan in. "Only Here for a Haircut,” all hazy guitars and punchy drums, and the ping-pong melody of "Cooler Returns” are instant mood-boosters. "Maid Marian's Toast” and "Waiting in Line” bring a delightful rumble to jangle pop. "Highlights of 100" gallops like a colt, while the insistent "Nashville Wedding” ("I wanna strangle the jangle pop band,” Gaudet wails, no irony) comes on like Lou Reed if he'd done speed instead of dope. There are also throughlines between songs like bouncy "Undecided Voters” and the especially terrific "Domino” and the joyous, controlled chaos of Apples in Stereo. Never let it be said the members of Kiwi Jr. (including Alvvays bassist Brian Murphy, who has compared Kiwi Jr.'s guitar style to a "very fast but friendly dog”) don't have good taste. "The obvious answer is they just can't stand us/ I can hardly stand to be stood up here at all,” Gaudet speak-sings on "Guilty Party,” too clever by half. Whatever, dude, just keep the serotonin flowing. © Shelly Ridenour/Qobuz
About the album
- 1 disc(s) - 13 track(s)
- Total length: 00:36:07
- Main artists: Kiwi Jr.
- Composer: Various Composers
- Label: Sub Pop Records
- Genre: Pop/Rock Rock Alternative & Indie
© 2021 Sub Pop Records ℗ 2021 Sub Pop Records
Improve album informationWhy buy on Qobuz...
-
Stream or download your music
Buy an album or an individual track. Or listen to our entire catalogue with our high-quality unlimited streaming subscriptions.
-
Zero DRM
The downloaded files belong to you, without any usage limit. You can download them as many times as you like.
-
Choose the format best suited for you
Download your purchases in a wide variety of formats (FLAC, ALAC, WAV, AIFF...) depending on your needs.
-
Listen to your purchases on our apps
Download the Qobuz apps for smartphones, tablets and computers, and listen to your purchases wherever you go.