What makes Whole New Mess by Angel Olsen notable?

Whole New Mess received critical acclaim, with publications like Pitchfork praising its vulnerability and lyrical depth. The album also gained recognition for its candid exploration of personal struggles during the COVID-19 pandemic, resonating with listeners who found solace in its authenticity. Released in 2020, Whole New Mess serves as Angel Olsen's follow-up to her acclaimed album All Mirrors. At this point in her career, Olsen was navigating a significant evolution in sound, embracing a more intimate and raw approach after the orchestral grandeur of her previous work. This album marks a pivotal moment as she distills her songwriting to its emotional core.

Who is Whole New Mess for?

Whole New Mess works well if you're into raw emotional vulnerability throughout, wave-like pacing with contrasts and intimate moments for quiet reflection.

How many songs are on Whole New Mess?

Whole New Mess has 11 tracks, running approximately 42 minutes.

Whole New Mess

Angel Olsen · 2020

42 min · 11 tracks · pop rock

A haunting blend of stripped-back instrumentation paired with deeply introspective lyrics exploring themes of love and loss.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Whole New Mess — The title track encapsulates the album's emotional landscape, blending fragile melodies with poignant reflections on the chaos of life and relationships.
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(New Love) Cassette — This track features a nostalgic sound that evokes memories of lost connections, showcasing Olsen's ability to convey longing through both lyrics and melody.
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Tonight (Without You) — In this song, Olsen's vocal delivery is raw and powerful, capturing the essence of heartbreak while intertwining hope amidst despair.

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's intimate sound and lyrical depth create a strong emotional connection, making it distinctive within its genre.

What we noticed

The album features a consistent use of sparse instrumentation, often relying on solo guitar or piano to support the vocals.
Many tracks employ a slow tempo, with several songs maintaining a reflective mood throughout their duration.
The lyrics are deeply personal and introspective, often exploring themes of love and loss in a candid manner.

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 3/10

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

raw emotional vulnerability throughout
wave-like pacing with contrasts
intimate moments for quiet reflection
haunting melodies for solitude
short tracks for focused listening

Maybe skip if you

seekers of upbeat energy
prefer standalone hit singles

Where this album fits

Career context: Released in 2020, Whole New Mess serves as Angel Olsen's follow-up to her acclaimed album All Mirrors. At this point in her career, Olsen was navigating a significant evolution in sound, embracing a more intimate and raw approach after the orchestral grandeur of her previous work. This album marks a pivotal moment as she distills her songwriting to its emotional core.
Stylistic neighbors: Sharon Van Etten· Julien Baker· Phoebe Bridgers