Ode to Joy (Wilco album)

Wilco recorded the album in their Chicago studios in early 2019;^[4] on July 16, they announced the album, released lead single "Love Is Everywhere (Beware)", and announced tour dates.^[2] The live performances break a two and a half year hiatus for the band from touring^[5] and a year off in general.^[6] "Everyone Hides" was released as the album's second single on September 17, 2019.^[7] "Everyone Hides" was previously recorded by Jeff Tweedy's side project Tweedy for the 2014 film St. Vincent, starring Bill Murray and Melissa McCarthy.^[8] The album was recorded by taking simple song sketches from singer Jeff Tweedy, recording them in the studio with drummer Glenn Kotche, and then introducing the rest of the band to flesh out the musical ideas.^[9]

More information Aggregate scores, Source ...

Professional ratings

Aggregate scores
Source	Rating
AnyDecentMusic?	7.8/10[10]
Metacritic	81/100[3]
Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[11]
Exclaim!	8/10[12]
The Guardian	[13]
The Line of Best Fit	8.5/10[14]
Mojo	[15]
Pitchfork	7.8/10[16]
Q	[17]
Rolling Stone	[18]
Slant Magazine	[19]
Uncut	9/10[20]

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According to the review aggregator Metacritic, Ode to Joy received "universal acclaim" based on a weighted average score of 81 out of 100 from 25 critic scores.^[3] Erin Osmon of Uncut praised the album, writing, "It's a protest record only this sextet could make, one that rings loudest in its simplicity. It favours subtle textures and hushed vocals, and further reveals its wisdom with each listen."^[20] Prior to its release, Paste named this one of the albums the writers were most excited about for October, citing the band's diversity and calling this release, "larger-than-life soft rock full of both grand ideas about the state of our world and small musings about matters of the heart".^[21] Reviewing the album for AllMusic Mark Deming claimed the band were, "more than willing to explore the boundaries of their music, and they do so with the confidence and sense of daring that has marked their best work from Being There onward."^[11] Michael Hann of The Guardian gave the release four out of five stars, praising the lyrics expressiveness and the different—if not quite experimental—use of varied instrumentation.^[13] Nile Amos of Vinyl Chapters stated, "the album urges us, in the present world, to hunker down and appreciate loved ones and each other, more now than ever."^[22] Writing for PopMatters, Justin Cober-Lake rated this release a 6 out of 10, stating that the "record doesn't entirely succeed" but "while the sound remains mostly subdued, Wilco sound more invigorated than they did on their last album, with studio precision helping to make these songs into something more memorable".^[1]

All tracks written by Jeff Tweedy.

1. "Bright Leaves" – 4:10
2. "Before Us" – 3:22
3. "One and a Half Stars" – 3:44
4. "Quiet Amplifier" – 5:50
5. "Everyone Hides" – 3:00
6. "White Wooden Cross" – 3:12
7. "Citizens" – 3:03
8. "We Were Lucky" – 4:56
9. "Love Is Everywhere (Beware)" – 3:34
10. "Hold Me Anyway" – 4:00
11. "An Empty Corner" – 3:46

Credits adapted from liner notes.^[23]

Wilco

• Nels Cline – guitar^[13]
• Mikael Jorgensen – keyboards^[2]
• Glenn Kotche – drums, percussion^[9]
• Pat Sansone – guitar, backing vocals^[2]
• John Stirratt – bass guitar^[2]
• Jeff Tweedy – vocals, guitar, production, package design

Additional personnel

• Lawrence Azerrad – packaging design
• Mark Greenberg – engineering assistance
• Bob Ludwig – mastering
• Zoran Orlic – photography
• Tom Schick – engineering, mixing, production
• Paul Von Mertens – saxophone