Life of Pause

Professional ratings

Aggregate scores
Source	Rating
Metacritic	74/100[2]
Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[3]
Consequence of Sound	B−[4]
Drowned in Sound	5/10[5]
The Guardian	[6]
Mojo	[7]
musicOMH	[8]
Pitchfork	6.5/10[9]
PopMatters	[10]
Q	[7]
Spin	7/10[11]

Life of Pause received largely positive reviews from contemporary music critics. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the album received an average score of 74, based on 25 reviews, which indicates "generally favorable reviews".[2]

Jessica Goodman of DIY gave the album a favorable review, stating, "‘Life of Pause’ is a departure from expectation. The escapist notions that soared through previous releases are grounded in the record’s lavish production. Where flights of fancy once soared, the melodies are a damnsight more tangible. With tracks so vivid they can practically be tasted, Wild Nothing have lost none of the ability to put a daze upon the senses. Taking an unmistakable euphoria and driving it home, with ‘Life of Pause’ Wild Nothing might have planted their feet firmly on the ground, but that hasn’t stopped Jack Tatum from creating a soundscape straight from your wooziest daydream."[12]

Ben Homewood of NME also praised the album, stating, "Such confident, experimental songwriting points to a rebirth for Wild Nothing, and means ‘Life Of Pause’ can be considered alongside indie records like Tame Impala’s ‘Currents’ and Unknown Mortal Orchestra’s ‘Multi-Love’. Both came out last year, signalling a shift in sound and a significant step forward for their makers. This record should do the same for Jack Tatum."[13]

Dan Lucas of Drowned in Sound was more critical of the album, stating, "Life of Pause sounds effortless but not in a good way: it sounds like a de rigueur acclaimed indie album. It sounds like a record that’s designed to be acclaimed and liked but not remembered. The extra spark that made the likes of ‘Chinatown, ‘Paradise’ or ‘The Body in Rainfall’ such magnificent, memorable tracks is missing here. It is hard to criticise such a well-crafted, enjoyable album that appears to have been made specifically with someone like me in mind. The thing is that in six weeks’ time it will be even harder to remember it."[5]