Life After Youth
by Land of Talk
Metascore
79

Generally favorable reviews - based on 14 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 14
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 14
  3. Negative: 0 out of 14
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  1. Paste Magazine
    May 17, 2017
    86
    With almost every track featuring very direct first person, Life After Youth is an extremely personal collection from Powell, but with some help from her friends and collaborators Sharon Van Etten, The Besnard Lakes, Steve Shelley (Sonic Youth) and Sal Maida (Roxy Music/Sparks), she has not only made the best record of her career, it’s also one of the strongest solo releases from any past or present Broken Social Scene members.
  2. AllMusic
    May 31, 2017
    80
    The light touch Powell has with deeply felt emotions on this album is a rare combination that grows richer with each listen; she sounds older and wiser but also happier, suggesting that Life After Youth is just the beginning.
  3. DIY Magazine
    May 19, 2017
    80
    Falling somewhere between Poliça with an Americana tinge and a less naff Fiona Apple, the likes of ‘Inner Lover’ and ‘This Time’ are cerebral cornerstones that hold up a record characterised by evident catharsis. One for when you’re feeling reflective.
  5. NOW Magazine
    May 17, 2017
    80
    Assists aside, Land of Talk continue to showcase Powell’s singular musical vision, sounding a hopeful, tuneful note in her long-awaited return.
  6. Exclaim
    May 17, 2017
    80
    With Life After Youth, Powell has gifted us a beautiful treatise on how to think about life, relationships and what's important.
  7. Magnet
    May 16, 2017
    80
    Although Powell's new land Of Talk is considerably more contemplative and understated, Life After Youth is an evocative and powerful step forward. [No. 142, p.57]
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  8. Uncut
    May 16, 2017
    80
    The new songs possess an engaging spareness and intimacy while still making room for such guests as Sharon Van Etten. [Jun 2017, p.33]
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  9. The A.V. Club
    May 19, 2017
    75
    Life After Youth is a welcome reminder of why Land Of Talk was missed, and a promising glimpse at a second chance.
  10. The Line of Best Fit
    May 16, 2017
    75
    Life After Youth is proof that the best days needn't necessarily be the early ones, and marks a strong and exciting return for fans and band alike.
  11. No Ripcord
    Jun 19, 2017
    70
    Some of that punchy vitality has been lost, but never does it obscure Powell’s ability to add bold expressions to her fine-grained accounts.
  12. PopMatters
    May 31, 2017
    70
    Life after Youth sees the band still using the guitar as its focal point. This time around though the thorny, percussive guitar of albums’ passed is combined with a reverb-soaked wash on occasion, and it’s a pleasant addition to the group’s tonal palette.
  13. Under The Radar
    May 25, 2017
    70
    Powell pulls from the great depression era of our youth, while moving forward, melancholy but vibrant and immediate all at once.
  14. Pitchfork
    May 18, 2017
    70
    A solid, consistent return that sounds like the band never left.
  15. The Skinny
    May 16, 2017
    60
    These two tracks [This Time and Loving] crest an emotional peak that isn’t quite matched elsewhere.

User Reviews

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User Score
7.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 6 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 6
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 6
  3. Negative: 0 out of 6
  1. Ricko
    Dec 12, 2020
    8
    An interesting, unpredictable and overall very enjoyable listen. It's high end indie rock but with so many nuances and ideas pretty unique toAn interesting, unpredictable and overall very enjoyable listen. It's high end indie rock but with so many nuances and ideas pretty unique to this band that after a few listens you realise that Land of Talk have somehow managed to bring something new to that crowded party. At times there is a bit too much going on in terms of effect pedals on the guitars and this can distract from the core songs. When the focus in on the song and the arrangements then the album soars. The vocals are fantastic throughout. The band seem to have got most things right in the making of this album. From the urgent opener "Yes You Were" to the epic pop heartbreak of "Loving", from the droney dreampop of "Inner Lover" to the deceptively simple intro on "Macabre", the band throw alot at the wall and end up with a startling collection of dreamlike melodies. It sounds a bit like a more concise, slacker War on Drugs record being played on an old tape with dirty heads. A thumbs up.… Full Review »
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