The Avalanches

[Bosco]

New Album is here and it's an ambitious concept which I can't decide if they absolutely nailed, or potentially divide/confuse their fans.

The music is high quality, but everything is short in runtime and doesn't have track-to-track fluidity that many have been accustom to in their previous albums. This album is full of interludes that contain fragmented pieces of commercials and familiar sounds from the past. I believe they were trying to make the listener experience the old concept of "channel surfing" either from the radio or television dial. Which should technically work well with today's minds being so adapted to short clips of Instagram and TikTok. 

A lot of good music and great sounds in here. And I think I like it more than I'm leading on. This feels like Avalanches attempt at making a J. Dilla - 'Donuts' styled album.

Also, check on aisle "Magic Wand"

[Bosco]

A fantastic interview. A bit long on first look, but quickly becomes engrossing. 

They talk about the difficulty of the music industry, dealing with debt, touring, taking on side jobs (Tony did extermination!), and finally being in a happy spot with the band. 

[mesamm99]

Had to do a double take when listening to Magic Wand... looked up the sample and it's the same as the chems. 

[Csar]

Also, check on aisle "Magic Wand"

The track^ gets more interesting towards the end with its more retro-80s style but then it's over. I also could do without the vocals, tbh.
Where's the Magic Wand sample at? Can't spot it.

Nice to see Joel Osment again after his brief appearance in the Boys series.

Haven't listened to the album yet but those running times seem a bit too short, at least for those two songs you posted. They're nice but certainly could develop a bit more.

[Wolkenkrabber]

Where's the Magic Wand sample at? Can't spot it.

Here:

[Enjoyed]

I've been really enjoying this album but I think your point stands @Bosco - with the short runtimes and constant barrage or skits and sound effects, it's not just an album that is better enjoyed in full, it almost demands it. Which is a bold thing to attempt in an age of streaming, and shuffle, and algorithms. God forbid someone gets fed "Paradise Island' or 'Unicorn Quest' in their listening session, and is expected to go and seek out more.

It's a fun journey. It's not Since I Left You (which it feels like they're both trying to relive and simultaneously distance themself from with each album) but it does tell a story and the shorter songs feel appropriate for that tale. And there's some killer production and general musical magic on this album. Another killer colab with Jamie xx, a lovely little jam with Panda Bear (on a track that shares a name with my childhood home!) and the title track sounds like a soulful nod to Oval and their CD skipping "experimental" (but very pleasant) music, or better yet, The Field.

I do wish they would move on from the child choir samples/vocals. Maybe it's my built-in disinclination for Avalanches 2.0 (their return) that is constantly rearing its ugly head whenever I think about how fucking magical Since I Left You is - but I also just feel like it's a kind of tired palette for them at this stage. My opinion, of course - but this 'digital' version of Avalanches, while capturing some of the warmth and play from their first outing - never quite gets into the same world, in a way that I guess I just find frustrating every time I listen to them. I almost wish they were called something different - though I also appreciate that is entirely my own stupid preconceptions about what an 'artist' is. Nevertheless, I find myself as  somewhat of a reluctant fan. Which is a weird place to be.

Now I'm going to stop talking and listen to (& enjoy) the album again

[Bosco]

Guardian article fills us in that there will be a follow-up short film, staring Haley Joel Osment.

https://www.theguardian.com/music/2026/oct/08/the-avalanches-no-bad-memories-interview



@Csar, for shame! That vocal is Carly Simon (sample)! I personally think the sample/vocal is quite good, with the exception it's completely rushed within the limitation of the track. It feels like a waste finding a magic piece of forgotten vocal adult contemporary, and then underdeveloping it. That being said, it totally works within the context of the album. The album, as previously mentioned, is basically comprised of "quick hitters" and before you can get comfortable it moves right along.

All the singles they released before the album, were pretty fantastic, especially "Can't Get Over You" w/Portraits Of Tracy, which is basically straight up a Basement Jaxx track. But... "Together", is one of those special progressive pop songs that will never get the appreciation it deserves. So interesting!

The Child Choir/sample stuff never bothered me much. I know fans have made comment to that being overused, but I never felt that was type of production crutch of some sort. I see it as part of their aura. It pushes the approachable dreamy type of narrative that we so frequently find ourselves in all of their albums.

So much going on in this album, albeit very quick. Their music is magic, enjoy you some.