Better Nature

Better Nature is the fourth studio album by Los Angeles alternative rock band Silversun Pickups. The album was produced by Jacknife Lee,[7] and was released on September 25, 2015. It is the first of the band's albums to be released on their own label, New Machine Records; as well as their first to be supported by a Pledgemusic campaign. It is also the group's first album to feature a song under four minutes.[8] The album was announced on July 15, 2015.[9] The lead single for the album, "Nightlight," was released to radio on August 6, 2015. It was accompanied by a music video, directed by Mark Pellington and starring Boardwalk Empire actor Meg Steedle.[10] The album's second single, "Circadian Rhythm (Last Dance)," was premiered via The Daily Beast on September 10, 2015.[11] An accompanying video, directed by Scott Weintrob, was released to YouTube and Vevo the following day.[12]

Better Nature
Studio album by Silversun Pickups
Released	September 25, 2015 (2015-09-25)
Genre	Alternative rock indie rock dream pop shoegazing new wave
Length	51:06
Label	New Machine
Producer	Jacknife Lee
Silversun Pickups chronology
Neck of the Woods (2012) Better Nature (2015) Widow's Weeds (2019)
Singles from Better Nature
"Nightlight" Released: August 6, 2015 "Circadian Rhythm (Last Dance)" Released: September 11, 2015 "Latchkey Kids" Released: September 30, 2016

Professional ratings

Aggregate scores
Source	Rating
Metacritic	65/100[1]
Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[2]
Absolute Punk	8.5/10[3]
Consequence of Sound	C-[4]
Sputnikmusic	[5]
Under The Radar	6.5/10[6]

Track listing

All tracks are written by Silversun Pickups.

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Cradle (Better Nature)"	5:21
2.	"Connection"	4:33
3.	"Pins & Needles"	4:42
4.	"Friendly Fires"	5:28
5.	"Nightlight"	4:52
6.	"Circadian Rhythm (Last Dance)"	3:50
7.	"Tapedeck"	6:02
8.	"Latchkey Kids"	3:42
9.	"Ragamuffin"	6:00
10.	"The Wild Kind"	6:36
Total length:		51:06

Reception

Better Nature received mostly positive reviews.

Charts

Chart (2015)	Peak position
Australian Albums (ARIA)[13]	22
US Billboard 200[14]	16

Personnel

Silversun Pickups

• Brian Aubert – lead vocals, backing vocals, guitars
• Nikki Monninger – bass guitar, backing vocals, lead vocals (6), vibraphone (7)
• Joe Lester – keyboards, synthesizer, sound manipulation, drum machine, sequencer, backing vocals (5)
• Christopher Guanlao – drums, backing vocals (5-6)

Additional personnel

• Jacknife Lee – additional keyboards, mixing, production, programming
• Alan Moulder – mixing

References

1. "Better Nature by Silversun Pickups". Retrieved 1 October 2016.
2. "Better Nature - Silversun Pickups - Songs, Reviews, Credits - AllMusic". Retrieved 1 October 2016.
3. "chorus.fm". Retrieved 1 October 2016.
4. "Album Review: Silversun Pickups – Better Nature". 25 September 2015. Retrieved 1 October 2016.
5. "Review: Silversun Pickups - Better Nature - Sputnikmusic". Retrieved 1 October 2016.
6. "Better Nature". Retrieved 1 October 2016.
7. Brendan Hornbostel (15 July 2015). "Silversun Pickups announce new album, 'Better Nature,' will be released in September". LA Times. Retrieved 25 September 2015.
8. "Silversun Pickups: 'Better Nature' on Pledgemusic". Pledgemusic. 15 July 2015. Retrieved 25 September 2015.
9. Caitlin White (15 July 2015). "Silversun Pickups Announce New Album Better Nature". Stereogum. Retrieved 25 September 2015.
10. Brian Leak (6 August 2015). "Silversun Pickups release cinematic video for new single, "Nightlight"". Alternative Press. Retrieved 25 September 2015.
11. James Joiner (10 September 2015). "Hear a New Silversun Pickups Track". The Daily Beast. Retrieved 25 September 2015.
12. Beth Kellmurray (11 September 2015). "Listen to Silversun Pickups' Dreamy New Song, 'Circadian Rhythm (Last Dance)'". Diffuser.FM. Retrieved 25 September 2015.
13. "Australiancharts.com – Silversun Pickups – Better Nature". Hung Medien. Retrieved October 2, 2015.
14. "Silversun Pickups Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved October 6, 2015.