California Nights
by Best Coast
  • Record Label: Harvest
  • Release Date: May 5, 2015
Metascore
69

Generally favorable reviews - based on 26 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 20 out of 26
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 26
  3. Negative: 0 out of 26
Buy Now
Buy on
  1. Mojo
    May 20, 2015
    60
    California Nights comes over like a dreamier take on Hole's Celebrity Skin or a souped-up. digitally-produced Go-Go's. [Jun 2015, p.86]
    All this publication's reviews
  2. The Guardian
    Apr 29, 2015
    60
    In among the keening college stuff is the languid desert rock of the title track, which gently spirals into a stoned dream as the hot Californian sky burns out the boredom of suburban reality.
  3. No Ripcord
    May 8, 2015
    50
    While California Nights doesn’t offer a more sophisticated version of Best Coast so much as a blander one, the heightened ambition of the songwriting and production could be an important step forward for the band.
  5. Drowned In Sound
    May 1, 2015
    50
    Away from the lyrics, there’s a nagging feeling that, like The Only Place, California Nights isn’t going to blow too many people away with its mostly familiar-feeling content.
  6. NOW Magazine
    May 14, 2015
    40
    Despite exceptionally strong hooks and her fine, assured singing, it's hard not to feel frustrated by Consentino's lack of depth and constant use of the most obvious rhymes.
  7. Q Magazine
    Apr 29, 2015
    40
    The polished alt-rock on show here may be serviceable and vaguely reminiscent of Hole circa Live Through This, but it also lacks any of the band's own DNA. [Jun 2015, p.100]
    All this publication's reviews

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 33 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 22 out of 33
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 33
  3. Negative: 2 out of 33
  1. Ricko
    Jul 2, 2018
    8
    After an amazing debut way back in 2010, Best Coast, either naturally or by design, changed direction with their reasonably decent 2nd album.After an amazing debut way back in 2010, Best Coast, either naturally or by design, changed direction with their reasonably decent 2nd album. In my opinion it didn't quite suit the duo and lacked the fun factor that made their debut so vital and enjoyable. Without being bad, "The Only Place" was disappointing next to "Crazy For You". Follow up EP "Fade Away", regained some of their debuts solar energy but couldn't quite repeat the trick of "Crazy For You". 6 years on from their initial releases the band seem to have made a concentrated effort to get back to the sunkissed surf pop that proved so successfull for them initially. Album number 3, "California Nights" is packed with catchy pop rock power chord riffs, bright vocals but with contrasting darker lyrical themes. While their earlier work often dealt with relationship problems and young love, there was always large amounts of fun and light heartedness going on. One of my favourite lines from "Crazy For You" was "I'm sorry I lost your favourite t-shirt, I'll buy you a new, one a better one". This summed up the purposefully immature yet appealling and fun perspective of the band in terms of relationships. "California Nights" deals more with themes of medication, anxiety and depression, jealousy and abandonement. Dark themes but matched with upbeat pop tunes, a trick the Smith's perfected in the 80's. Overall, "California Nights" is a highly enjoyable listen, if not wholly satisfying. You need to go in with your eyes open in terms of your expections for the album. Radiohead this is not but music doesn't always have to be about pushing the boundaries. Sometimes its just about enjoying some decent tunes.… Full Review »
  2. timothyturnter
    Jun 14, 2015
    7
    this album is everything i wanted it to be man, just a straight up fun, fuzzy, pop garage record. If you look at it like that, and just havethis album is everything i wanted it to be man, just a straight up fun, fuzzy, pop garage record. If you look at it like that, and just have fun it's great.… Full Review »
  3. BritishStink12
    May 6, 2015
    8
    Best Coast have proven with 'California Nights' that they are one of the foremost bands in the indie-pop genre and this super summery albumBest Coast have proven with 'California Nights' that they are one of the foremost bands in the indie-pop genre and this super summery album will sound awesome in the sunshine. 'Feeling Ok' has an awesome hook and this album is full of them, though the tracks do become a little samey at times. The title track 'California Nights' does provide the opportunity for the band to kick back though and this is a really woozy, moody tune that relaxes and enthrals all at once.… Full Review »
See all user reviews »