Versions of Modern Performance
| Versions of Modern Performance | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Studio album by | |
| Released | June 3, 2022 |
| Studio | Electrical Audio, Chicago, Illinois |
| Genre | Indie rock |
| Length | 33:07 |
| Language | English |
| Label | Matador |
| Producer | John Agnello |
Versions of Modern Performance is the debut studio album by the American rock band Horsegirl. It was released on June 3, 2022 via Matador.
Influences
[edit]The group was influenced by Sonic Youth, Yo La Tengo, and Stereolab while writing the album.[1]
Writing and recording
[edit]The album was written while the members of Horsegirl were in high school and recorded during the summer of 2021 at Electrical Audio in Chicago, Illinois with John Agnello.[2]
Singles and promotion
[edit]The first single, "Billy", was released on November 16, 2021.[3] The album was announced on March 9, 2022 along with the single "Anti-glory".[4] Two more singles, "World of Pots and Pans"[5] and "Dirtbag Transformation",[6] preceded the album's release.
The band headlined a tour in Europe and the UK[7] followed by a tour in the United States during the summer of 2022.[8] The band performed at Lollapalooza for the first time.[9]
In September, 2023, Horsegirl opened for The Breeders on their Last Splash 30th Anniversary Tour for a few dates in the midwest.[10]
Critical reception
[edit]| Aggregate scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Metacritic | 82/100[13] |
| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [11] |
| Pitchfork | 7.3/10[12] |
Versions of Modern Performance was met with critical acclaim upon its release, with many praising its reminiscent 1990s indie rock sound. The album appeared on multiple year-end lists and was named album of the week by Stereogum upon its release.[14]
| Publication | List | Rank | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| A.V. Club | The 30 Best Albums of 2022 | 25 | [15] |
| BrooklynVegan | Indie Basement: Top 40 Albums of 2022 | 38 | [16] |
| Crack | The Top 50 Albums of the Year | 12 | [17] |
| Gorilla vs. Bear | Gorilla vs. Bear's albums of 2022 | 35 | [18] |
| Metacritic | The Freshman 15: 2022's Best Debut Albums | 14 | [19] |
| NME | The 25 Best Debut Albums of 2022 | N/A | [20] |
| Paste | The 50 Best Albums of 2022 | 27 | [21] |
| Rolling Stone | The 100 Best Albums of 2022 | 56 | [22] |
| Stereogum | The 50 Best Albums of 2022 | 15 | [23] |
| Under the Radar | Top 100 Best Albums of 2022 | 32 | [24] |
Track listing
[edit]All tracks are written by Gigi Reece, Nora Cheng and Penelope Lowenstein.
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Anti-glory" | 3:31 |
| 2. | "Beautiful Song" | 2:57 |
| 3. | "Live and Ski" | 2:23 |
| 4. | "Bog Bog 1" | 1:53 |
| 5. | "Dirtbag Transformation (Still Dirty)" | 3:05 |
| 6. | "The Fall of Horsegirl" | 2:40 |
| 7. | "Electrolocation 2" | 1:56 |
| 8. | "Option 8" | 3:32 |
| 9. | "World of Pots and Pans" | 2:51 |
| 10. | "The Guitar is Dead 3" | 0:49 |
| 11. | "Homage to Birdnoculars" | 3:37 |
| 12. | "Billy" | 3:48 |
| Total length: | 33:07 | |
Note: On vinyl, "Electrolocation 2" precedes "Anti-glory".
Personnel
[edit]Horsegirl
[edit]- Nora Cheng – guitar, bass Bass VI, vocals
- Penelope Lowenstein – guitar, bass Bass VI, vocals
- Gigi Reece – drums, tambourine
Additional contributors
[edit]- John Agnello – production, mixing, engineering
- Greg Calbi – mastering
- Steve Fallone – mastering
- John San Paolo – engineering
- Lee Ranaldo – guitar on "Beautiful Song"
- Steve Shelley – auxiliary percussion on "Billy"
References
[edit]- ^ "Horsegirl: Versions of Modern Performance". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on December 23, 2022. Retrieved December 23, 2022.
- ^ Pearis, Bill (March 9, 2022). "Horsegirl announce debut album & summer tour, share "Anti-glory" video". Brooklyn Vegan. Archived from the original on August 19, 2023. Retrieved August 19, 2023.
- ^ Blistein, Jon (November 18, 2021). "Horsegirl's 'Billy' Is a Compelling Character Study and Reverent Tribute to Long-Gone Music Scenes". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on April 26, 2023. Retrieved August 19, 2023.
- ^ Blistein, Jon (March 9, 2022). "Chicago Indie Trio Horsegirl Get the Urge to Dance on New Song 'Anti-Glory'". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on August 19, 2023. Retrieved August 19, 2023.
- ^ Krol, Charlotte (April 5, 2022). "Horsegirl share their "closest thing" to a love song, 'World Of Pots And Pans'". NME. Archived from the original on October 9, 2023. Retrieved August 19, 2023.
- ^ Russell, Scott. "Watch Horsegirl's "Dirtbag Transformation (Still Dirty)" Video". Paste Magazine. Archived from the original on August 19, 2023. Retrieved August 19, 2023.
- ^ Ackroyd, Stephen (March 9, 2022). "Horsegirl have announced their debut album, 'Versions of Modern Performance'". Dork. Archived from the original on August 19, 2023. Retrieved August 19, 2023.
- ^ Corcoran, Nina (March 9, 2022). "Horsegirl Announce Tour and Debut Album, Share Video for New Song: Watch". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on October 4, 2023. Retrieved August 19, 2023.
- ^ Creden, Makenzie (August 5, 2022). "A Conversation with Horsegirl". WLUW. Archived from the original on October 9, 2023. Retrieved August 19, 2023.
- ^ "The Breeders mark 30th anniversary of "Last Splash" with new reissue, tour — hear an unreleased song – Slicing Up Eyeballs". Retrieved August 23, 2024.
- ^ "Horsegirl - Versions of Modern Performance Album Reviews, Songs & More | AllMusic". AllMusic. All Media Network. Archived from the original on December 23, 2022. Retrieved December 23, 2022.
- ^ Greene, Jayson. "Horsegirl: Versions of Modern Performance Album Review". Pitchfork. Retrieved August 23, 2024.
- ^ "Versions of Modern Performance by Horsegirl". Metacritic. Archived from the original on October 9, 2023. Retrieved December 23, 2022.
- ^ "Album Of The Week: Horsegirl 'Versions Of Modern Performance'". Stereogum. May 31, 2022. Archived from the original on December 23, 2022. Retrieved December 23, 2022.
- ^ "Here are the 30 best albums of 2022". The A.V. Club. December 12, 2022. Archived from the original on December 19, 2022. Retrieved December 23, 2022.
- ^ Pearis, Bill (December 22, 2022). "Indie Basement: Top 40 Albums of 2022". BrooklynVegan. Archived from the original on December 23, 2022. Retrieved December 23, 2022.
- ^ "Best albums of 2022: Our pick of the top records". Crack Magazine. Archived from the original on December 29, 2022. Retrieved December 23, 2022.
- ^ Chris (December 2022). "gorilla vs. bear's albums of 2022". GORILLA VS. BEAR. Archived from the original on May 31, 2023. Retrieved December 23, 2022.
- ^ "Best Debut Albums of 2022: Versions of Modern Performance by Horsegirl". Metacritic. Archived from the original on December 23, 2022. Retrieved December 23, 2022.
- ^ NME (December 12, 2022). "The 25 best debut albums of 2022". NME. Archived from the original on December 23, 2022. Retrieved December 23, 2022.
- ^ "The 50 Best Albums of 2022". pastemagazine.com. November 21, 2022. Archived from the original on November 29, 2022. Retrieved December 23, 2022.
- ^ "The 100 Best Albums of 2022". Rolling Stone. December 1, 2022. Archived from the original on December 1, 2022. Retrieved December 23, 2022.
- ^ "The 50 Best Albums Of 2022". Stereogum. December 6, 2022. Archived from the original on December 21, 2022. Retrieved December 23, 2022.
- ^ "Under the Radar's Top 100 Albums of 2022 Part 1 | Under the Radar Magazine". www.undertheradarmag.com. Archived from the original on December 23, 2022. Retrieved December 23, 2022.
