Is The Waterfall II a good place to start with My Morning Jacket?

Yes, The Waterfall II is recommended as a starting point for new My Morning Jacket listeners. A lush soundscape of reflective melodies intertwines with dynamic instrumentation, creating an expansive emotional journey. Released on July 10, 2020, The Waterfall II serves as a follow-up to My Morning Jacket's 2015 album, The Waterfall. By this time, the band was navigating a new label and returning to their roots in songwriting after a hiatus, which allowed for a fresh yet familiar sound. This album also marked the band's first major release since their 2018 live album, highlighting a return to studio work.

Who is The Waterfall II for?

The Waterfall II works well if you're into reflective moments of introspection, steady progression with emotional peaks and longing melodies for quiet evenings.

How many songs are on The Waterfall II?

The Waterfall II has 10 tracks, running approximately 46 minutes.

The Waterfall II

My Morning Jacket · 2020

46 min · 10 tracks · indie rock

A lush soundscape of reflective melodies intertwines with dynamic instrumentation, creating an expansive emotional journey.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Spinning My Wheels Start here — establishes the sonic palette early
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Still Thinkin — This track stands out with its contemplative lyrics and haunting melody, encapsulating the album's themes of introspection and nostalgia.
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Feel You — The song's expansive arrangement and emotional depth exemplify the band's ability to blend rock with poignant storytelling, making it a highlight of the album.
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Beautiful Love (Wasn’t Enough) — This track offers a raw exploration of love and loss, featuring intricate instrumentation that enhances its heartfelt message.
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Wasted — With its driving rhythm and introspective lyrics, this track represents a pivotal moment in the album where vulnerability meets resilience.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

63 /100

Treeline

Higher than 74% of albums we've rated

The album combines reflective songwriting with lush instrumentation, creating an engaging listening experience.

What we noticed

The album opens with a steady mid-tempo track that gradually introduces layers of instrumentation, creating a rich soundscape.
Several tracks feature extended instrumental sections that allow for dynamic shifts in mood and texture throughout the record.
The lyrics often reflect personal introspection, with recurring themes of longing and connection, which are woven into the melodic structure.

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: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 8/10

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.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

reflective moments of introspection
steady progression with emotional peaks
longing melodies for quiet evenings
headphone detail hunting for nuances

Maybe skip if you

need for immediate gratification
prefer standalone hits over cohesion

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Late Career Highlight — Strong release showcasing continued vitality after a long career.
Themes: nostalgic reflection· personal loss· musical roots revival
Career context: Released on July 10, 2020, The Waterfall II serves as a follow-up to My Morning Jacket's 2015 album, The Waterfall. By this time, the band was navigating a new label and returning to their roots in songwriting after a hiatus, which allowed for a fresh yet familiar sound. This album also marked the band's first major release since their 2018 live album, highlighting a return to studio work.
Stylistic neighbors: Band of Horses· Wilco· The War on Drugs