Circa Waves Death & Love, Pt. 1
Released Jan 31, 2025 Lower Third
Consensus forming 4 professional reviews Updated Aug 27, 2026
Mostly positive consensus
Consensus is still forming across 4 professional reviews. Circa Waves's Death & Love, Pt.
How ChoruScore worksCritics' Top Tracks
The songs critics returned to most
Like You Did Before
1 critic mention
“Panoramic pop with a 1980s techno vibe, "Like You Did Before", also feels a bit like Harry Styles” — PopMatters
American Dream
1 critic mention
“Opening with a brief and insistent rocker, "American Dream", the record hits its stride” — PopMatters
We Made It
1 critic mention
“the group return to the anthemic mode of "American Dream" with "We Made It", which feels a bit more like the Alarm than U2” — PopMatters
Full critic consensus
Circa Waves's Death & Love, Pt. 1 opens with panoramic pop and anthemic rock that pair upbeat arrangements with decidedly sour, melancholic lyrics, a balance critics say defines the record. Across professional reviews the band earns a measured reception, and the consensus suggests the record largely succeeds at marrying Britpop lineage with widescreen production while stopping short of outright reinvention.
Critics consistently single out tracks that anchor the album's identity: “Like You Did Before” emerges as a 1980s-tinged standout and the album's brightest hook, while “American Dream” functions as an insistent opener that sets the tone. Reviewers also praise quieter moments such as “Hold It Steady” and “Blue Damselfly” for adding emotional depth, and note an overall tendency toward panoramic pop songwriting and anthemic choruses. The collection earned a 72.5/100 consensus score across 4 professional reviews, signaling generally favorable notice among music critics.
While some reviews emphasize the band's confident command of melody and texture, others imply the record trades risk for polish; the critical consensus frames Death & Love, Pt. 1 as a rewarding listen if your priorities are strong hooks and emotional contrast. For readers wondering whether to dive in, the best songs on Death & Love, Pt. 1—particularly “Like You Did Before” and “American Dream”—make a persuasive case.
Track Ratings
How critics rated each track, relative to this album (0-100). Only tracks that made critics feel something are rated.
American Dream
Like You Did Before
We Made It
Le Bateau
Hold It Steady
Let's Leave Together
Blue Damselfly
Everything Changed
Bad Guys Always Win
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What Critics Are Saying
Deep insights from 4 critics who reviewed this album
Critic's Take
Circa Waves on Death & Love, Pt. 1 serve up crisp, panoramic pop where the best tracks - “Like You Did Before” and “American Dream” - stake the album’s claim. Rich Wilhelm praises “Like You Did Before” as a fun, 1980s-tinged standout and frames “American Dream” as an insistent opener that sets the tone. He also highlights the band’s range, noting ballads like “Hold It Steady” and “Blue Damselfly” that diversify the LP. The review reads as measured admiration: a band that knows its strengths and keeps tinkering, giving listeners clear reasons to queue the best songs on Death & Love, Pt. 1.
Key Points
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The best song, “Like You Did Before”, is a fun, 1980s-tinged panoramic pop standout that feels both nostalgic and fresh.
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The album’s core strengths are catchy, anthemic songwriting and a balance between breezy pop and gorgeous ballads.
Themes
