The Wedding Present's 40 opens like a declaration: forty years of jagged hooks, lovelorn lyricism and undimmed velocity distilled into a reverse-chronology set that feels both retrospective and urgent. Louder Than War's review frames 40 as a triumphant aural journey, arguing the band sound as vital now as at their peak and naming “Two For The Road” among the record's most arresting moments. The opening hook answers the obvious question about quality up front - critics find much to praise here.
Across the single professional review, the critical consensus highlights three recurring strengths: the collision of post-punk immediacy and noise-pop sheen, the emotional intelligence behind songs of love and heartbreak, and the sustained energy embodied in the record's twin guitar climaxes. Reviewers consistently point to Rachel Wood's colours and the band’s machine-gun guitars as defining features, with “Two For The Road”, the layered twin-guitar climaxes, and “Go Out and Get ‘Em Boy” emerging as standout tracks. The collection earned an 86/100 consensus score across 1 professional review, signaling a warmly positive critical reception and marking the album as a meaningful career retrospective.
While the review is celebratory, it frames the success as earned rather than nostalgic fluff: the best songs marry heartbreak and momentum, making the record feel immediate rather than merely commemorative. For readers searching for a focused 40 review, or deciding whether the album is worth listening to, the consensus suggests that this collection affirms The Wedding Present's enduring urgency and cements several new entries among their standout songs.
Critics' Top Tracks
The standout songs that made critics take notice
Two For The Road
1 mention
"They start with a brand new song, Two For The Road, that sounds as good as anything in their catalogue."— Louder Than War
twin guitar climaxes (general songs)
1 mention
"These climactic end sections are blissful with Gedge hunched over his six string delivering the fastest rhythm alive"— Louder Than War
Go Out and Get ‘Em Boy
1 mention
"ending with debut single Go Out and Get ‘Em Boy on its fortieth anniversary."— Louder Than War
They start with a brand new song, Two For The Road, that sounds as good as anything in their catalogue.
Track Ratings
How critics rated each track, relative to this album (0-100). Only tracks that made critics feel something are rated.
Wake They Shit Up (feat. B-Legit & Stresmatic)
GOAT (feat. Milla)
Chase The Money (feat. Quavo, Roddy Rich, A$AP Ferg & ScHoolboy Q)
1 Question (feat. Jeremih, Rick Ross & Chris Brown)
Rain On My Parade (feat. Ty Dolla $ign & G-Eazy)
Big Deal (feat. Wiz Khalifa & P-Lo)
Watch The Homies (feat. Scarface)
I Don't Like Em (feat. Cousin Fik & Laroo)
I'm It
No Choice (feat. James Too Cold)
I Come From The Game (feat. Payroll Giovanni , Peezy & Sada Baby)
Don't @ Me (feat. OMB Peezy)
Blossom (feat. Boosie Badazz & Rexx Life Raj)
Made This Way (feat. Tee Grizzley & Rod Wave)
Ooh (feat. Problem)
Another One (feat. Fabolous & Red Cafe)
In The Struggle
Imma Find Out
Stayed Down (feat. OMB Peezy, Trenchrunner Poodie & Damani)
All Day Long (feat. $tupid Young)
Surroundings (feat. Stresmatic)
Bet You Didn't Know
Facts Not Fiction (feat. Stresmatic)
Thou Wow (feat. IAMSU!)
Keep On Gassin (feat. Redman, Method Man & Bosko)
My Everything (feat. Anthony Hamilton & K-Ci)
What Critics Are Saying
Deep insights from 3 critics who reviewed this album
Critic's Take
The Wedding Present sound as urgent and vital on 40 as they ever have, the reviewer revels in the band’s machine-gun guitars and emotional intelligence. He singles out the new song “Two For The Road” as sounding as good as anything in their catalogue and frames the reverse-chronology set as a triumphant aural journey. The narrative praises the twin guitar climaxes and Rachel Wood’s colours, explaining why the best tracks on 40 feel both timeless and immediate. The writing keeps a conversational, affectionate edge, making clear that the best songs are those that marry lovelorn lyricism with high-velocity guitar exits.
Key Points
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The new song "Two For The Road" is highlighted as a standout, encapsulating the band’s continued vitality.
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The album’s core strengths are high-velocity guitar interplay, emotional lyricism, and a successful reverse-chronology retrospective.
Themes
