Is La La Land a good place to start with Guided by Voices?

Yes, La La Land is recommended as a starting point for new Guided by Voices listeners. A vibrant collage of melodic hooks and playful lyricism wrapped in lo-fi textures and energetic performances. La La Land marks Guided by Voices' first album since the departure of founding member and frontman Robert Pollard in late 2022. Released on January 20, 2023, this album showcases the band's evolution while still retaining their hallmark sound, as they navigate a new phase under new leadership.

Who is La La Land for?

La La Land works well if you're into playful introspection with depth, steady progression to a climax and short tracks for quick bursts.

How many songs are on La La Land?

La La Land has 11 tracks, running approximately 35 minutes.

La La Land

Guided by Voices · 2023

35 min · 11 tracks · indie rock

A vibrant collage of melodic hooks and playful lyricism wrapped in lo-fi textures and energetic performances.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Another Day to Heal Start here — Opening the album, this track establishes a reflective tone with its lush melodies and introspective lyrics, setting the stage for the journey ahead.
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Queen of Spaces — This song features an intricate interplay of rhythm and melody, showcasing the band's knack for creating infectious hooks that linger long after listening.
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Slowly on the Wheel — Clocking in at nearly six minutes, this track allows for a deeper exploration of themes present throughout the record, combining atmospheric sounds with poignant storytelling.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

50 /100

Foothills

Higher than 23% of albums we've rated

The album showcases catchy songwriting with varied tempos but lacks strong cohesion in its flow.

What we noticed

The album opens with a mid-tempo track that features layered vocal harmonies and a prominent guitar riff, setting a lively tone.
Several tracks incorporate abrupt tempo shifts, such as 'Queen of Spaces,' which transitions from a fast-paced section to a slower, reflective moment.
The final track, 'Pockets,' concludes with an extended instrumental outro that gradually fades out, creating a sense of closure.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 6/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 6/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 5/10

Influence 2/10

Little footprint beyond its audience. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

playful introspection with depth
steady progression to a climax
short tracks for quick bursts
for reflective moments

Maybe skip if you

prefer longer, sprawling albums
want instant gratification tracks

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Experimental — This album represents a shift after the departure of a key member, showcasing evolution.
Themes: post-Pollard transition· reflective journeys
Moods: Introspective
Career context: La La Land marks Guided by Voices' first album since the departure of founding member and frontman Robert Pollard in late 2022. Released on January 20, 2023, this album showcases the band's evolution while still retaining their hallmark sound, as they navigate a new phase under new leadership.
Stylistic neighbors: Pavement· The Mountain Goats· Sebadoh