Notes n Letters

“It’s stellar — an unflagging glam-rock opus that surpasses the original.”

—People, Feb. 28, 2018

“Car Seat Headrest has produced an excellent album that perfectly encompasses the fears that come with realizing the often-dark reality that is adulthood, while alluding to the singer’s hope for the future.”

–Gianluca Yong Gonzalez on Chicago Maroon, Feb. 26, 2018

“…he’s issued an important cover version. Will Toledo has covered Smash Mouth.”

–Lauren O’Neill on Noisey, Feb. 22, 2018

“It’s an incredibly vulnerable and autobiographical album, but Toledo wanted to show his intensity and fervor. He wanted to show these emotions in a different form, and ultimately, he succeeded on every level.”

–Grant Sharples in Vox Magazine, Feb. 21, 2018

“Despite Toledo’s Virginia upbringing and current base of operations in Seattle, Car Seat Headrest sound for all the world like part of a grand college rock tradition starting in New England and heading westward: Talking Heads, The Modern Lovers, Pixies, They Might be Giants.”

–Adam Blyweiss on Treble, Feb. 20, 2018

“The best part of Car Seat Headrest’s new (old) album, Twin Fantasy is that it manages to convert the mundane into the grandiose, and the grandiose into the mundane.”

–Seth Stevens on 90.7 the Capstone (Univ. of Alabama), Feb. 20, 2018

“Toledo has not just developed into a fantastic songwriter, but one of the best in his entire generation.”

–Nate Bramel in Vinyl Magazine, Feb. 19, 2018

“Rarely does a piece of music encompass so much raw emotion with such relatability in such a satisfied way; while retaining ambitious but clear structures and displaying instrumentally depth and complexity.”

–Ed Cunningham in The 405, Feb. 19, 2018

“Somehow Toledo has managed to break the shackles to create a euphoric, festival-ready rock ‘n’ roll record while still maintaining the scuzzy, boy next door, coming-of-age angst that deservedly won him such a unique blend of cult and critical acclaim.”

–George O’Brien in London in Stereo, Feb. 19, 2018

“…the last time any piece of music resonated so powerfully with me was when I came across some amateur Bandcamp album called ‘Twin Fantasy.'”

–Alberto on Highclouds, Feb. 18, 2018

“There is a daring quality to frontman Will Toledo’s songwriting. ”

–Martin Douglas on KEXP (Seattle), Feb. 16, 2018

“With the new Twin Fantasy, Toledo has done the unimaginable: created a reboot that matches its original in tone, passion, and excitement…Grade: A”

–David Brusie on A.V. Club, Feb. 16, 2018

“This is an album to fall in love with, one that feels like a genuine discovery.”

–Max James Hill on Northern Transmissions, Feb. 16, 2018

“Even as he looks back, Toledo is moving forward.”

–Jeremy Winograd on Slant Magazine, Feb. 16, 2018

“In a reworking of the band’s lo-fi cult sixth album, Will Toledo subtly polishes the Car Seat Headrest sound to make a good record great.”

–Finbarr Bermingham on The Skinny, Feb. 16, 2018

“Twin Fantasy leaves no doubt that Toledo is a strikingly gifted and thoughtful songwriter, who also has a firm grasp of how to make his material work in the studio and isn’t afraid to think on a grand scale.”

–Mark Deming on AllMusic, Feb. 16, 2018

“…Car Seat Headrest increasingly feel like a significant band, and Toledo like an unusual and compelling voice.”

–Michael Hann on The Guardian, Feb. 16, 2018

“This honest and uncompromising reflection of teenage uncertainty and self-doubt feels like Toledo’s reflection on his younger self, re-imagined and now guided by and older, enlightened self.”

–Georgia Evans on GIGsoup, Feb. 16, 2018

“The result, really, is somewhere close to how a ‘Twin Fantasy’ live album might have turned out sounding…”

–Joe Goggins on Loud and Quiet, Feb. 16, 2018

“Listen to Car Seat Headrest’s New Album Twin Fantasy”

–Michelle Kim on Pitchfork, Feb. 16, 2018

“…a blistering rock record of tremendous scope and heft, richly detailed and overflowing with memorable melodies. It is Car Seat Headrest’s first masterpiece.”

–J. Edward Keyes on bandcamp daily, Feb. 16, 2018

“These lyrical alterations make for a cool effect, as if we’re seeing the evolution of Will Toledo over the past seven years play out in recorded form.”

–Ben Salmon on Paste, Feb. 16, 2018

“Here It Is, Smash Mouth Covering Car Seat Headrest”

–Gabriela Tully Claymore on Stereogum, Feb. 15, 2018

“That Car Seat Headrest and Smash Mouth reciprocal covers project is actually happening”

–Jay Gabler on The Current (Minnesota Public Radio), Feb. 14, 2018

“Car Seat Headrest and Smash Mouth’s long-rumored collaboration arrives this Thursday”

–Randall Colburn on Consequence of Sound, Feb. 13, 2018

“It started as some mutual admiration and turned into a real-life collaboration, and on Thursday all hell will break loose when Smash Mouth and Car Seat Headrest’s covers of each other’s songs will be released.”

–James Rettig on Stereogum, Feb. 13, 2018

“…this record – even the longest tracks – is punchy, witty and razor sharp.”

–Finbarr Bermingham on The Skinny, Feb. 13, 2018

“New artist of the week: Car Seat Headrest”

–Niall Byrne on The Irish Times, Feb. 10, 2018

“Howard Stern has recruited artists like Garbage, Billy Corgan, Car Seat Headrest and Greta Van Fleet to record David Bowie songs for an all-star tribute to the late icon.”

–Daniel Kreps in Rolling Stone, Feb. 6, 2018

“Artists that contributed covers to the program include Car Seat Headrest (‘Ashes to Ashes’), Garbage (‘Starman’), Billy Corgan (‘Space Oddity’), Bleachers (‘Ziggy Stardust’), Jade Bird (‘Quicksand’), and more.”

–Noah Yoo on Pitchfork, Feb. 6, 2018

“The atypical anatomy of “Ashes to Ashes” isn’t lost on Will Toledo, frontman for Seattle-based indie rock band Car Seat Headrest, which covered the cut for the Howard Stern Tribute to David Bowie.”

—howardstern.com, Feb. 6, 2018

“Car Seat Headrest have shared a new track called ‘My Boy (Twin Fantasy).'”

–Braudie Blais-Billie on Pitchfork, Feb. 6, 2018

“The latest track to be reworked is the album’s opener, ‘My Boy,’ and pardon the repetition, but boy, oh boy does it sound better.”

–Sophie Israelsohn on Stereogum, Feb. 6, 2018

“Car Seat Headrest: Locals Only Artist of the Month, February 2018”

—107.7 The End (Seattle), Feb. 2, 2018

“It’s a level of maturity and worldly awareness that belies his age, Toledo’s lyrical precociousness amounting to something of an indie rock Rimbaud.”

–Cole Waterman on Pop Matters, Feb. 1, 2018

“At first, I thought this song sounded like the Strokes. ”

–Jesse David Fox in New York Magazine, “7 Best New Songs of the Week,” Jan. 24, 2018

“…the new rendition adds clarity and punch to the drums and piercing guitar. ”

–Elias Leight in Rolling Stone, Jan. 23, 2018

“Will Toledo, the man behind Car Seat Headrest, has shared ‘Cute Thing,’ the second cut off his upcoming LP ‘Twin Fantasy,’ out on February 16th via Matador Records.”

–Chico on Indie + Tonic, Jan. 23, 2018

“It’s a more epic, hi-fi version of the track than the original where each element is given a bit more space, leading to a dynamic cut.”

—DIY Magazine, Jan. 23, 2018

“Car Seat Headrest’s ‘Cute Thing’ Is A Kaleidoscope Of Rich Harmonies And Gigantic Pop Hooks”

–Corbin Reiff on Uproxxx, Jan. 23, 2018

“Compared to the original version, the new ‘Cute Thing’ uses its hi-fi production to let the dynamics breathe a bit.”

–Ryan Leas on Stereogum, Jan. 22, 2018 and Spin, Jan. 22, 2018

“Will Toledo replaces references to Dan Bejar and John Entwistle with Frank Ocean and James Brown”

–Michelle Kim on Pitchfork, Jan. 22, 2018

“Car Seat Headrest reveals raucous new version of ‘Cute Thing'”

–Lake Schatz on Consequence of Sound, Jan. 22, 2018

“It’s an excellent kickstart to what will be a big year for Car Seat Headrest.”

–Kaitlin Ruether re: “Nervous Young Inhumans” on NewSickMusic, Jan. 18, 2018

“…when we played Car Seat Headrest’s ‘Nervous Young Inhumans’ this morning, Sean showed us a Pitchfork article about how an original version of the song used the word ‘galvanistic’ but then Will Toledo took it out in later drafts.”

–Anna Reed on The Current (Minnesota Public Radio), Jan. 18, 2018

“Compared to the scrappy, hissy Bandcamp original, ‘Nervous Young Inhumans’ now sounds like a finished, professional song, with Toledo utilising a chorus synth-string hook and billowing vocal harmonies.”

–Ryan Reed in Rolling Stone Australia, Jan. 10, 2018

“Across the last year and more, indie rock fans have been waiting on pins and needles to see how Car Seat Headrest was going to follow-up their critically adored 2016 album Teens Of Denial. Today, the Will Toledo-led outfit has given them an answer.”

–Corbin Reiff on Uproxxx, Jan. 9, 2018

“Car Seat Headrest have announced a new album, Twin Fantasy. A re-imagined and re-recorded version of frontman Will Toledo’s self-released 2011 album of the same name, it’s set for a February 16 release via Matador.”

–Jackson Maxwell in Guitar Player, Jan. 9, 2018

“…you may have guessed the reason for the original project’s disappearance: Toledo has recorded a ‘re-imagined’ version of the entire album in sparkling high quality, and Matador will release it next month.”

–Chris DeVille on Stereogum, Jan. 9, 2018

“Now, with both time, money and a seven-piece band, Will Toledo’s Twin Fantasy do-over is an unveiling of sorts, a clearer examination of being a teen and trying to understand his own muddled emotions.”

–Bob Boilen on NPR, Jan. 9, 2018

“Car Seat Headrest have announced a new album. Twin Fantasy is a complete re-recording of Will Toledo’s self-released 2011 album of the same name.”

–Sam Sodomsky on Pitchfork, Jan. 9, 2018

“The ‘Nervous Young Inhumans’ video constitutes Toledo’s directorial debut. The split-screen visual…opens with a frenetic, thrilling juxtaposition of dancing feet and flashing lights…”

–Scott Russell on Paste, Jan. 9, 2018

“The clip features split-screen footage that at times finds multiple versions of Toledo matching up in sync, and at other times highlights different choreography, explosive light shows and, finally, end credits announcing the arrival of Twin Fantasy.”

–Sarah Murphy on Exclaim!, Jan. 9, 2018

“‘Nervous Young Inhumans’ is a tight and punchy pop song, and the reworking ranks among the most immediate recordings he’s released so far.”

–Andy Cush on Spin, Jan. 9, 2018

“Directed by Will Toledo, it’s a stark fusion of distorted colour that utilising plenty of flashing lights.”

–Robin Murray re: “Nervous Young Inhumans” video on Clash, Jan. 9, 2018

“…the band is as ambitious and rocking as ever, and the Ray Davies comparisons remain well earned.”

–Glen Sarvady on Stomp and Stammer, Jan. 9, 2018

“Toledo, and a seven-piece band, which includes members of Naked Giants, will tour the record in Australia, America, the US, Europe and the UK, with Car Seat Headrest set to play their biggest headline show to date at the Roundhouse in London on May 25.”

–Laura Johnson on Stereoboard, Jan. 9, 2018

“It turns out indie rock hero Will Toledo has revisited and re-recorded an entirely new version of the LP.”

–Lake Schatz re: Twin Fantasy on Consequence of Sound, Jan. 9, 2018

“Car Seat Headrest have announced their “new” record, Twin Fantasy—the re-recorded, re-imagined return to their 2011 Bandcamp classic. ”

–Maggie Dickman on altpress, Jan. 9, 2018

“As much something for newcomers as it is one for the heads, the release will see Toledo re-examining his past, fan-favorite project, and overcoming the limitations he faced first time around, when he was recording himself on a laptop. ”

—Noisey, Jan. 9, 2018

“Will Toledo and his seven-piece band have announced that a new, reworked and reimagined version of [Twin Fantasy] will be coming out on 16th February.”

—DIY Magazine, Jan. 9, 2018

 

“Car Seat Headrest says artists can still make money from Spotify”

–Tyler Jenke on The Industry Observer, Dec. 30, 2017

“Car Seat Headrest’s Will Toledo Claims That You Can Make Money From Spotify”

–Tom Breihan in Spin, Dec. 29, 2017

“Car Seat Headrest’s Will Toledo Defends Spotify’s Royalty Payments”

–Jem Aswad on Variety, Dec. 29, 2017

“Car Seat Headrest’s Will Toledo Defends Spotify”

–Lisa Nguyen on Paste, Dec. 28, 2017

“Car Seat Headrest Made $30,000 From Spotify. Is It a Lucrative Platform for Indie Artists?”

–David Turner on TrackRecord, Dec. 28, 2017

“Twin Fantasy, originally released in 2011 by Car Seat Headrest, is getting reworked and reissued in early 2018.”

–Christopher Lantinen on Modern Vinyl, Dec. 28, 2017

“33. Car Seat Headrest”

–Michael Nelson in “The 101 Most Anticipated Albums of 2018” on Stereogum, Dec. 21, 2017

“…the band once again prove why they’re better than anyone else at finding that sweet intersection between conventional 90’s rock tropes and the more progressively experimental Pavement-like wizardry.”

–Mark Conroy re: “Beach Life-in-Death” in New Music Weekly, Dec. 21, 2017

“‘Beach Life-In-Death’ is a 13-minute whopper that moves through various movements and eventually bursts into a cathartic explosion at the end.”

—DIY, Dec. 14, 2017

“…the 13-minute cut dips in and out of numerous genres, but there’s always a subtle surfy vibe rolling underneath.”

–Ben Kaye on Consequence of Sound, Dec. 13, 2017

“…an essential piece of listening.”

–Wes Martin on Collide, Dec. 13, 2017

“…it moves through various passages, distorted and racing at first, then quieting down before bursting back open into a cathartic rush of a final act.”

–Ryan Leas on Stereogum, Dec. 13, 2017

“Best New Track: ‘Beach Life in Death’”

—Pitchfork, Dec. 13, 2017

 

“The perfect song for a moment in history in which there is- on its best day- constant terrible news and the ever-present background threat of nuclear annihilation.”

Esquire re: “War Is Coming (If You Want It),” Nov. 22, 2017

“Played to mourners were Ankle Shackles by King Creosote; Cosmic Hero by Car Seat Headrest; Kennedy by The Wedding Present; Somewhere Only We Know by Lily Allen; Bye Bye Baby by Bay City Rollers and most aptly of all, Heaven Knows I’m Miserable Now by his beloved Smiths.”

—Chortle re: funeral of comedian Sean Hughes, Oct. 24, 2017

“This is not a well written song; this is an essential work of art.”

–Jackson Radley re: “Beach Life-in-Death” on medium.com, Oct. 20, 2017

“Yet rather than deficits, the singer-songwriter turns his nearly somnambulant stage presence and droning voice into virtues. ”

–Michael Toland in Austin Chronicle, Oct. 8, 2017

“Will Toledo is not a rockstar. But he knows how to read a crowd.”

—Austin American-Statesman, Oct. 7, 2017

“The Seattle-based quartet rolls Pavement hooks and guitar jams into Toledo’s ennui-drenched narratives, late-night streetlight anthems for a new generation of the cynically restless and bored slouching toward melodic escape.”

–Doug Freeman in The Austin Chronicle, Oct. 7, 2017

“Their indie bedroom confession rock ripped at Sound On Sound Fest last year. ”

–Eric Webb on Austin 360, Oct. 7, 2017