Versions of Modern Performance

Versions of Modern Performance
Studio album by
Horsegirl
ReleasedJune 3, 2022 (2022-06-03)
StudiosElectrical Audio, Chicago, Illinois
GenreIndie rock
Length33:07
LanguageEnglish
LabelMatador
ProducerJohn Agnello
Horsegirl chronology
Versions of Modern Performance
(2022)		 Phonetics On and On
(2025)

Versions of Modern Performance is the debut studio album by the American rock band Horsegirl. It was released on June 3, 2022 via Matador.

Influences

The group was influenced by Sonic Youth, Yo La Tengo, and Stereolab while writing the album.

Writing and recording

The album was written while the members of Horsegirl were in high school and recorded during the summer of 2021 at Electrical Audio in Chicago, Illinois with John Agnello.

Singles and promotion

The first single, "Billy", was released on November 16, 2021. The album was announced on March 9, 2022 along with the single "Anti-glory". Two more singles, "World of Pots and Pans" and "Dirtbag Transformation", preceded the album's release.

The band headlined a tour in Europe and the UK followed by a tour in the United States during the summer of 2022. The band performed at Lollapalooza for the first time.

In September, 2023, Horsegirl opened for The Breeders on their Last Splash 30th Anniversary Tour for a few dates in the midwest.

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic82/100
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusicStarStarStarStarHalf star
Pitchfork7.3/10

Versions of Modern Performance was met with critical acclaim upon its release, with many praising its reminiscent 1990s indie rock sound. The album appeared on multiple year-end lists and was named album of the week by Stereogum upon its release.

Year-end lists
Publication List Rank Ref.
A.V. Club The 30 Best Albums of 2022 25
BrooklynVegan Indie Basement: Top 40 Albums of 2022 38
Crack The Top 50 Albums of the Year 12
Gorilla vs. Bear Gorilla vs. Bear's albums of 2022 35
Metacritic The Freshman 15: 2022's Best Debut Albums 14
NME The 25 Best Debut Albums of 2022 N/A
Paste The 50 Best Albums of 2022 27
Rolling Stone The 100 Best Albums of 2022 56
Stereogum The 50 Best Albums of 2022 15
Under the Radar Top 100 Best Albums of 2022 32

Track listing

All tracks are written by Gigi Reece, Nora Cheng and Penelope Lowenstein.

No.TitleLength
1."Anti-glory"3:31
2."Beautiful Song"2:57
3."Live and Ski"2:23
4."Bog Bog 1"1:53
5."Dirtbag Transformation (Still Dirty)"3:05
6."The Fall of Horsegirl"2:40
7."Electrolocation 2"1:56
8."Option 8"3:32
9."World of Pots and Pans"2:51
10."The Guitar is Dead 3"0:49
11."Homage to Birdnoculars"3:37
12."Billy"3:48
Total length:33:07

Note: On vinyl, "Electrolocation 2" precedes "Anti-glory".

Personnel

Horsegirl

Additional contributors

References

  1. ↑ "Horsegirl: Versions of Modern Performance". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on December 23, 2022. Retrieved December 23, 2022.
  2. ↑ Pearis, Bill (March 9, 2022). "Horsegirl announce debut album & summer tour, share "Anti-glory" video". Brooklyn Vegan. Archived from the original on August 19, 2023. Retrieved August 19, 2023.
  3. ↑ Blistein, Jon (November 18, 2021). "Horsegirl's 'Billy' Is a Compelling Character Study and Reverent Tribute to Long-Gone Music Scenes". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on April 26, 2023. Retrieved August 19, 2023.
  4. ↑ Blistein, Jon (March 9, 2022). "Chicago Indie Trio Horsegirl Get the Urge to Dance on New Song 'Anti-Glory'". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on August 19, 2023. Retrieved August 19, 2023.
  5. ↑ Krol, Charlotte (April 5, 2022). "Horsegirl share their "closest thing" to a love song, 'World Of Pots And Pans'". NME. Archived from the original on October 9, 2023. Retrieved August 19, 2023.
  6. ↑ Russell, Scott. "Watch Horsegirl's "Dirtbag Transformation (Still Dirty)" Video". Paste Magazine. Archived from the original on August 19, 2023. Retrieved August 19, 2023.
  7. ↑ Ackroyd, Stephen (March 9, 2022). "Horsegirl have announced their debut album, 'Versions of Modern Performance'". Dork. Archived from the original on August 19, 2023. Retrieved August 19, 2023.
  8. ↑ Corcoran, Nina (March 9, 2022). "Horsegirl Announce Tour and Debut Album, Share Video for New Song: Watch". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on October 4, 2023. Retrieved August 19, 2023.
  9. ↑ Creden, Makenzie (August 5, 2022). "A Conversation with Horsegirl". WLUW. Archived from the original on October 9, 2023. Retrieved August 19, 2023.
  10. ↑ "The Breeders mark 30th anniversary of "Last Splash" with new reissue, tour — hear an unreleased song – Slicing Up Eyeballs". Retrieved August 23, 2024.
  11. ↑ "Versions of Modern Performance by Horsegirl". Metacritic. Archived from the original on October 9, 2023. Retrieved December 23, 2022.
  12. ↑ "Horsegirl - Versions of Modern Performance Album Reviews, Songs & More | AllMusic". AllMusic. All Media Network. Archived from the original on December 23, 2022. Retrieved December 23, 2022.
  13. ↑ Greene, Jayson. "Horsegirl: Versions of Modern Performance Album Review". Pitchfork. Retrieved August 23, 2024.
  14. ↑ "Album Of The Week: Horsegirl 'Versions Of Modern Performance'". Stereogum. May 31, 2022. Archived from the original on December 23, 2022. Retrieved December 23, 2022.
  15. ↑ "Here are the 30 best albums of 2022". The A.V. Club. December 12, 2022. Archived from the original on December 19, 2022. Retrieved December 23, 2022.
  16. ↑ Pearis, Bill (December 22, 2022). "Indie Basement: Top 40 Albums of 2022". BrooklynVegan. Archived from the original on December 23, 2022. Retrieved December 23, 2022.
  17. ↑ "Best albums of 2022: Our pick of the top records". Crack Magazine. Archived from the original on December 29, 2022. Retrieved December 23, 2022.
  18. ↑ Chris (December 2022). "gorilla vs. bear's albums of 2022". GORILLA VS. BEAR. Archived from the original on May 31, 2023. Retrieved December 23, 2022.
  19. ↑ "Best Debut Albums of 2022: Versions of Modern Performance by Horsegirl". Metacritic. Archived from the original on December 23, 2022. Retrieved December 23, 2022.
  20. ↑ NME (December 12, 2022). "The 25 best debut albums of 2022". NME. Archived from the original on December 23, 2022. Retrieved December 23, 2022.
  21. ↑ "The 50 Best Albums of 2022". pastemagazine.com. November 21, 2022. Archived from the original on November 29, 2022. Retrieved December 23, 2022.
  22. ↑ "The 100 Best Albums of 2022". Rolling Stone. December 1, 2022. Archived from the original on December 1, 2022. Retrieved December 23, 2022.
  23. ↑ "The 50 Best Albums Of 2022". Stereogum. December 6, 2022. Archived from the original on December 21, 2022. Retrieved December 23, 2022.
  24. ↑ "Under the Radar's Top 100 Albums of 2022 Part 1 | Under the Radar Magazine". www.undertheradarmag.com. Archived from the original on December 23, 2022. Retrieved December 23, 2022.