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Description
Here's what I know about Built to Spill's 2022 album "When the Wind Forgets Your Name," and I'll describe it in 2-4 short paragraphs with some insight into its sound, production, and place in their catalog:
Built to Spill's 2022 release marks the band's return to new material after a seven-year hiatus following *Untethered Moon*. Recorded primarily with Brazilian musicians João Casaes (bass) and Lê Almeida (drums)-who had previously served as the band's rhythm section for South American shows-before the pandemic, the album represents a deliberate shift back to the rotating member concept Doug Martsch initially proposed in 2018. The trio lineup of Martsch, Radford, and Esguerra would continue touring with them afterward. The album was released on September 9, 2022 via Sub Pop, a label they had recently signed with after leaving Warner Bros. following a 22-year tenure.
Critically, *When the Wind Forgets Your Name* has been described as more psychedelic and spacious than earlier Built to Spill work, continuing their stylistic evolution from sparse lo-fi to sophisticated emo. The band returned to working with Casaes and Almeida on this project, signaling Martsch's desire for the kind of fluid, experimental lineup that characterized their early days. A moderate Pitchfork review noted that while the album has "good moments" that sometimes make you wish the concept were taken more seriously, there's clearly recognition of its ambition. The album was performed in full during their 30th-anniversary tour for *There's Nothing Wrong With Love*, which kicked off in August 2024, suggesting Built to Spill viewed it as worthy of their legacy performances.
The record represents Built to Spill's commitment to maintaining artistic independence rather than adhering to commercial pressures that characterized their Warner Bros. era. It also reflects a band that prioritizes the creative process over commercial release schedules, a philosophy that aligns with their indie rock ethos and the lo-fi aesthetic they were known for in their formative years.
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