What makes Sideways to New Italy by Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever notable?

The album received widespread acclaim, with Pitchfork awarding it a strong review and noting its exploration of personal and geographical themes. It peaked at number 6 on the Australian Albums Chart, illustrating the band's growing popularity and influence within the indie rock genre. Released in 2020, Sideways to New Italy is Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever's sophomore album, following their acclaimed debut, Hope Downs. The band had solidified their presence in the indie rock scene and aimed to further explore their sound while expanding on the themes of identity and place.

How many songs are on Sideways to New Italy?

Sideways to New Italy has 10 tracks, running approximately 39 minutes.

Sideways to New Italy

Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever · 2020

39 min · 10 tracks · indie rock

Bright, jangly guitars intertwine with reflective lyrics, creating a vivid soundscape that captures the essence of youthful nostalgia.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Falling Thunder — This track features an infectious melody paired with vivid storytelling about longing, embodying the album's exploration of emotional landscapes.
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Beautiful Steven — With its catchy hooks and introspective lyrics, this song captures a sense of youthfulness while reflecting on fleeting moments.
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Sunglasses at the Wedding — The blend of upbeat instrumentation with poignant reflections about relationships makes this track a standout representation of the album's themes.
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The Only One — This song showcases the band's lyrical craftsmanship, combining heartfelt narratives with dynamic instrumentals that resonate throughout the album.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

59 /100

Treeline

Higher than 57% of albums we've rated

The album features strong songwriting and production but follows familiar indie rock templates.

What we noticed

The album opens with a bright, jangly guitar riff that sets a consistent tone across the first half.
Tracks often feature layered instrumentation, with guitars weaving in and out of the mix, creating a rich soundscape.
The last two tracks slow down the tempo, providing a contrast to the more upbeat earlier songs.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 6/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 7/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. 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.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 The Second of the First 3:40
2 Falling Thunder 4:05
3 She's There 3:44
4 Beautiful Steven 3:48
5 The Only One 3:46
6 Cars in Space 4:58
7 Cameo 4:07
8 Not Tonight 4:00
9 Sunglasses at the Wedding 3:32
10 The Cool Change 4:03

What to play next

Listen next

Endless Rooms

2022

Go back to

Hope Downs

2018

Full Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever discography Artists like Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever

indie rock

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata