The Dartmouth and Pitchfork Media Put The Microphones on Their “Best Of” Lists

The Dartmouth – America’s oldest college newspaper – awarded The Microphones in 2020 as the tenth best album of the year, writing that “even though the lyrics relate to Phil Elverum’s life, they contain universal themes of existentialism and nostalgia. The instrumental, while sparse and repetitive, creates a haunting and beautiful mood that endures for the song’s duration. “Microphones in 2020” is most rewarding for long time fans of Elverum’s previous work, but anyone who listens will find something moving.” See the list here.

The record landed at #13 on Pitchfork‘s list. The site writes that, on the album, Elverum “isn’t pining for the good old days; he is reacclimating himself in the present, poking holes in the very idea of nostalgia and showing how memories live on. “I will never stop singing this song,” he acknowledges, 40 minutes in. As his acoustic guitar pulses forward and the details pile up, Elverum gestures toward a deeper, universal history: Look long enough, and you might see yourself in the photos.” Visit that list here.