“[Will Toledo’s] staring straight at success’s snarling face, as generations of artists have before him, and choosing to remain vulnerable for art’s sake.”
–Hannah Hron on The Current (Minneapolis Public Radio), Sept. 29, 2016
“Car Seat Headrest seized the Majestic with raw, emotional energy.”
–Matthew Norman in the Badger Herald, Sept. 29, 2016
“I was floored by the level of performative polish they brought when given their own full set at an actual theater.”
–Amileah Sutliff in the Daily Cardinal, Sept. 29, 2016
“Car Seat Headrest were in Minneapolis last night when Will Toledo broke out into a piano-driven rendition of ‘Drunk Drivers/Killer Whales,’ before the rest of the band joined in.”
–Josh Rosenberg on Spin, Sept. 29, 2016
“The up-and-coming singer-songwriter reaches nostalgic adults and upbeat teenagers alike with his anthemic songs.”
–Brian Koppelman’s “The Moment” podcast on Slate, Sept. 27, 2016
“The Seattle-based band’s ‘Teens of Denial’ may be the best indie rock album of the year”
–Cormier in USA Today, Sept. 25, 2016
“Will Toledo…has certainly started a conversation, and, based on the size and energy of the crowd at Mercy Lounge, he is succeeding in getting his message across.”
–Matt Hall on No Country, Sept. 23, 2016
“His grungy, yet unforgettable guitar riffs paired with his semi-sarcastic lyrics is what makes him one of the best singer-songwriters out in the music world today.”
–Cullen Lewis on CincyMusic.com, Sept. 23, 2016
“On the eve of his band’s sold-out show at Thalia Hall on Friday night, Toledo talked about his strange new life as a rock star in the making.”
–Allison Stewart in the Chicago Tribune, Sept. 22, 2016
“CityBeat recently tracked down Toledo to discuss his move from bedroom craftsman to the maestro of a fully realized band.”
–Jason Gargano in CityBeat (Cincinnati), Sept. 21, 2016
“Band of the Week: Car Seat Headrest”
–Jeff Niesel in Cleveland Scene, Sept. 21, 2016
“Toledo’s lyrics, filled with relatable yet idiosyncratic metaphors for love and heartbreak, just beg to be sung in a sweaty crowd of people, and so they were.”
–Matt Bobkin on Exclaim!, Sept. 20, 2016
“It’s introspective, self-deprecating, and nothing like the trendy pop-centric rock of the past decade. The songs are personal, imaginative and intelligent.”
–David Safar re: “Teens of Denial” on The Current, Sept. 19, 2016
“While the groggy vocals and bittersweet lyrics depict a downtrodden saga, the musicality of the songs lift spirits and feed the soul.”
–Taylor Shellman re: “Teens of Denial” on The Human Writes, Sept. 19, 2016
“How Car Seat Headrest went from bedroom band to internet sensation”
–Kinza Shenn on Hero, Sept. 19, 2016
“What really illustrated the band’s rise was the amount of singing along the whole Bowery crowd was doing at Thursday’s show…to nearly every song…”
–Bill Pearis on Brooklyn Vegan, Sept. 16, 2016
“It’s hard to put a finger on why they are so darn appealing, but it’s something in the dynamic shifts of Toledo’s vocals from low rumbling to piercing power that just impales your soul. It doesn’t hurt that his songwriting is just as incredible.”
“Car Seat Headrest, in spite of the choice of musical subjects and themes, isn’t teenage music. Everyone feels the angst of humanity occasionally, or often. All adults were once teens, and teens are people too. His themes are ours.”
–Julia McAnly on Smile Politely, Sept. 14, 2016
“Instead of musing about what influenced his songwriting, we asked Toledo himself.”
–Cam Lindsay in NOW Toronto Magazine, Sept. 14, 2016
“…the first Matador release of new songs is full of narratives and themes unfolding throughout its songs; one of the year’s best albums.”
–Mike Gerry on Open Ears Music, Sept. 13, 2016
“…the 24-year-old Toledo is being praised as one of the best young songwriters in indie rock.”
–Hal Bienstock on AMNewYork, Sept. 13, 2016
“The [Atlanta] show was a potent distillation of the singular mix of introversion and aggression, vulnerability and empowerment, insouciance and precision that makes Car Seat Headrest one of the best rising acts in rock.”
–Scott Russell in Paste Magazine, Sept. 9, 2016
“Toledo’s unassuming nature as the front man of Car Seat Headrest is the stuff romantic indie notions are made of, and all adulation is totally deserved…”
–Sean McQ on LockelandSprintsteen.com, Sept. 9, 2016
“Car Seat Headrest is already going where indie rock is set to head in the near future. They break boundaries without trying at all, and put on a humble performance with no shortcuts.”
–Olivia Ladd in MTSU Sidelines, Sept. 8, 2016
“Indie rockers, Car Seat Headrest, played a cover of Frank Ocean’s Blonde cut, ‘Ivy,’ at their latest show in St Louis.”
—Conversations About Her, Sept. 7, 2016
“At a recent in show in St. Louis, Car Seat Headrest performed a cover of Frank Ocean’s Blonde highlight ‘Ivy.’ ”
–Noah Yoo on Pitchfork, Sept. 6, 2016
“During a show at St. Louis’ Ready Room, Will Toledo aka Car Seat Headrest gave a raggedy, emotionally-unhinged rendition of ‘Ivy,’ one of Blonde’s most immediate tracks.”
“…thanks to Indieheads Podcast, we can see what happens when one of 2016’s best artists covers another of 2016’s best artists. Toledo definitely transforms the song in his musical image…”
–Cameron Wade in Paste Magazine, Sept. 6, 2016
“The performance gave a rougher, rawer edge to Ocean’s satin smooth original: an injection of angst and pain into a song that is, after all, about falling out of love and growing old. The result is cathartic.”
–Gavin Butler on Pages Digital, Sept. 6, 2016
“Outside of Frank covers, the up-and-coming act are definitely worth a listen. Though they didn’t make it into my recap, they were one of the most entertaining sets at Made In America and their latest album is destined to get spins well beyond 2016.”
–Alex Galbraith on Uproxx, Sept. 6, 2016
“Hitting Ocean’s notes is no easy feat, but head Headrest Will Toledo isn’t one to shy away from covering big names…”
–Anna Gaca on Spin, Sept. 6, 2016
“Will Toledo of Car Seat Headrest covered [‘Ivy’] at St. Louis’ Ready Room last night totally solo, and though Ocean’s isn’t an easy voice to imitate, Toledo’s take is pretty good.”
–Gabriela Tully Claymore on Stereogum, Sept. 6, 2016
“With this summer’s ‘Teens of Denial,’ Will Toledo and friends take a tremendous artistic step forward, proving the dynamism of vulnerability and ultimately making a compelling case for 2016’s record of the year.”
–Adam Ramos in The Observer (Notre Dame/Saint Mary’s), Sept. 5, 2016
“The life experiences in Toledo’s songwriting are more than just songwriting. He’s referred to [his] albums as emotional weather patterns.”
–Brittain Thompson in The Local Voice (Oxford, MS), Sept. 3, 2016
“…a hell of a first impression, a testament to Toledo’s unlikely prowess and proof that DIY gumption can indeed accomplish more, accomplish something.”
–D. Patrick Rodgers in Nashville Scene, Sept. 1, 2016
“CSH falls into a genre of itself. Covering a wide range of genres and topics, fans must be ready to expect anything from him.”
–Livvy Cohen in The Charger Online, Sept. 1, 2016