Second Nature (Lucius album)

Second Nature is the fourth studio album by American indie pop band Lucius. It was released on April 8, 2022, by Mom + Pop Music. It is their first full-length studio album since Good Grief (2016). Second Nature was produced by Dave Cobb and Brandi Carlile.

Second Nature
Studio album by
Lucius
ReleasedApril 8, 2022 (2022-04-08)
Length38:04
LabelMom + Pop Music
Producer
Lucius chronology
Nudes
(2018)		 Second Nature
(2022)
Singles from Second Nature
  1. "Next to Normal"
    Released: January 11, 2022
  2. "Dance Around It"
    Released: June 6, 2022[1]

Background

Lucius' previous studio album Good Grief was released in March 2016,[2] followed by a compilation album in 2018 titled Nudes which consisted of acoustic versions of previously released songs in addition to new material.[3] The band initially worked on an album self-described by band member Holly Laessig as "super heady [and] super conceptual" before shelving it in favor of what would eventually become Second Nature.[4]

Work for the album began shortly prior to lockdowns stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic with sessions beginning in Nashville, Tennessee that saw Lucius collaborate with outside writers for the first time such as Trent Dabbs and Lori McKenna. Sessions continued in Los Angeles virtually via Zoom before the band returned to Nashville for three weeks to complete the album at RCA Studios A.[5]

On January 11, 2022, Lucius announced details about the album, revealing its title Second Nature and its release date of April 8, 2022 with production helmed by Dave Cobb and Brandi Carlile. In a press release, Lucius member Jess Wolfe stated that the album derived from the personal experiences of grief that she and the rest of the band experienced during the pandemic, further adding that the album's musical direction was intended for the band to "[dance their] way through the darkness".[6]

Singles

The album's lead single "Next to Normal" was released simultaneously with the album announcement on January 11, 2022.[6] Three additional singles were released prior to the album's release: "White Lies", "Heartbursts", and "Dance Around It" on February 10, March 3, and March 17 of the same year, respectively.[7][8][9]

Critical reception
Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic74/100[10]
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[11]
American Songwriter[12]
DIY[13]
Pitchfork6.7/10[14]

Upon release, Second Nature received positive acclaim from critics. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 based on reviews from mainstream publications, the album has an average score of 74 based on seven reviews, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[10]

Track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Second Nature"
3:31
2."Next to Normal"
3:11
3."24"
  • Laessig
  • Wolfe
  • Eli Teplin
4:15
4."Heartbursts"
  • Laessig
  • Wolfe
  • Teplin
3:56
5."Dance Around It" (featuring Brandi Carlile and Sheryl Crow)
  • Laessig
  • Wolfe
  • Jenn Decilveo
3:27
6."The Man I'll Never Find"
  • Laessig
  • Wolfe
  • Dabbs
4:02
7."Promises"
  • Laessig
  • Wolfe
  • Dabbs
3:59
8."LSD"
  • Laessig
  • Wolfe
  • Decilveo
3:40
9."Tears in Reverse"
3:56
10."White Lies"
  • Laessig
  • Wolfe
  • Decilveo
4:07
Total length:38:04

Personnel

Credits for Second Nature adapted from Tidal.[15]

Musicians
  • Holly Laessig - composer, lyricist
  • Jess Wolfe - composer, lyricist
  • Brandi Carlile - additional vocals (5)
  • Sheryl Crow - additional vocals (5)
  • Jenn Decilveo - composer (5, 8, 10)
  • Trent Dabbs - composer, lyricist (6–7, 9)
  • Lori McKenna - composer, lyricist (9)

Technical
  • Rob Kinelski - mixing (1–3, 6–8, 10)
  • Dan Molad - mixing (4, 5, 9), engineering
  • Randy Merrill - engineering, mastering
  • Drew Long - engineering
  • Greg Koller - engineering
  • Brandon Bell - engineering
  • Casey Cuayo - mixing engineering
  • Eli Heister - mixing engineering
  • Phillip Smith - assistant engineering
  • Gabriel Cabezas - string engineering
  • Rob Moose - string engineering
  • Andrew Brightman - production manager
  • Michael Goldstone - A&R
  • Robert Beatty - artwork, design
  • Holly Laessig - creative design
  • Jon Conrad - creative design
  • Jess Wolfe - creative director
  • Sonia Gauvin - design
  • Max Wanger - photography

References
  1. "Triple A Future Releases". All Access. Archived from the original on May 26, 2022. Retrieved May 26, 2022.
  2. Katzif, Mike (March 2, 2016). "Review: Lucius, 'Good Grief'". NPR. Archived from the original on April 11, 2022. Retrieved April 12, 2022.
  3. "Lucius Ready New Acoustic LP 'Nudes,' Features Roger Waters". Rolling Stone. January 19, 2018. Archived from the original on February 3, 2018. Retrieved April 12, 2022.
  4. Danton, Eric R. (April 26, 2022). "Lucius emerges from lockdown and heads straight to the dance floor - The Boston Globe". The Boston Globe. Retrieved May 3, 2022.
  5. Wood, Mikael (April 11, 2022). "How producer Brandi Carlile helped Lucius turn domestic heartbreak into dancefloor joy". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved April 14, 2022.
  6. Minsker, Evan (January 11, 2022). "Lucius Announce New Album and Tour, Share Video for New Song "Next to Normal"". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on March 3, 2022. Retrieved April 11, 2022.
  7. Breihan, Tom (February 10, 2022). "Lucius Share New Single "White Lies": Listen". Stereogum. Retrieved May 24, 2022.
  8. Kenneally, Cerys (March 3, 2022). "Lucius share new single "Heartbursts"". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved May 24, 2022.
  9. Rowley, Glenn (March 17, 2022). "Lucius tap Brandi Carlile and Sheryl Crow for "Dance Around It": Stream". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved May 24, 2022.
  10. "Second Nature by Lucius". Metacritic. Retrieved April 22, 2022.
  11. "Second Nature - Lucius | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Archived from the original on April 11, 2022. Retrieved April 11, 2022.
  12. Zimmerman, Lee (April 19, 2022). "Review: Lucius Dances Through Despair". American Songwriter. Retrieved April 22, 2022.
  13. Bulmer, Eloise (April 6, 2022). "Lucius – Second Nature – Review". DIY. Archived from the original on April 7, 2022. Retrieved April 11, 2022.
  14. Thomas, Peyton (April 15, 2022). "Lucius: Second Nature". Pitchfork. Retrieved April 16, 2022.
  15. "Credits / Second Nature / Lucius - TIDAL". Tidal. Retrieved June 19, 2022.
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