The Dream (alt-J album) explained

The Dream
Type:	studio
Artist:	alt-J
Cover:	Alt-J - The Dream.png
Genre:	Art pop alternative rock indie rock
Length:	49:22
Label:	Canvasback Infectious
Producer:	Charlie Andrew
Prev Title:	Reduxer
Prev Year:	2018

The Dream is the fourth album by English indie rock band alt-J, released on 11 February 2022 by Infectious Music and the Canvasback Music division of Atlantic Records. It was promoted with the single "U&Me", which was released alongside the album's announcement on 22 September 2021.^[1] The track listing for the album was also revealed on this date through publication Stereogum.^[2] "Get Better" was released as the album's second single on 3 November 2021 and was accompanied by a pixel-art music video.^[3] "Hard Drive Gold" was released as the album's third single on 5 January 2022. "The Actor" was released as the fourth single on 7 February 2022.

Artwork

The artwork for The Dreams cover is a drawing by the artist Joel Wyllie.^[4]

Critical reception

The album received a four-star rating from The Observer, who said it was a "stroll around the curiosity shop". In the same review the band's embrace of American sounds was noted.^[5]

Personnel

Alt-J

• Joe Newman – vocals, guitar (all tracks), additional percussion (2)
• Thom Sonny Green – drums, percussion, programming (all tracks); additional percussion (2), spoken voice (12)
• Gus Unger-Hamilton – keyboards, synthesizer (all tracks); backing vocals (1, 3–12), organ (1, 2, 4, 6, 11), additional percussion (2), bass (3, 9, 11)

Additional musicians

• David Force – bagpipes (1), crumhorn (1, 2)
• Reinoud Ford – cello (1, 2, 4, 5, 7–9)
• Will Gardner – conductor, string arrangement (1, 2, 4, 5, 7–9); backing vocals (9)
• Tim Rundle – crumhorn (1, 2)
• Andy Marshall – double bass (1, 2, 5, 7–9)
• Charlie Andrew – programming (all tracks), additional percussion (2)
• Highgate School Choir – vocals (1–3)
• Tyler DeFord – sound effects (2)
• Matthew Ward – violin (2, 4, 5, 7, 9)
• Ciaran McCabe – violin (2, 4, 5, 7, 9)
• Kirsty Mangan – violin (2, 4, 5, 7, 9)
• Anna Zara Newman – spoken voice (3)
• Cordelia Unger-Hamilton – spoken voice (3)
• April Unger-Hamilton – backing vocals (4, 5), spoken voice (6)
• Sarah Andrew – bassoon (4)
• Trevor Mires – trombone (6)
• Christie Valeriano – backing vocals (8)
• George Eddy – backing vocals (9)
• Andrew Cohen – sound effects (9)
• Arianna Cohen – spoken voice (9, 12)
• Matt Glasbey – spoken voice (11)
• Mark Newman – spoken voice (11)

Technical

• Charlie Andrew – production, mixing
• Dick Beetham – mastering
• Matt Glasbey – mixing, engineering (all tracks); additional production (1, 10)
• George Collins – engineering assistance (1, 3, 10–12)
• Katie Earl – engineering assistance (1–4, 9–12)

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2022)! scope="col"

Peak position
Lithuanian Albums (AGATA)^[6]	28

Year-end charts

Chart (2022)! scope="col"

Position
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)^[7]	110

Notes and References

1. Web site: Skinner . Tom . Alt-J share new single 'U&ME' from upcoming fourth album 'The Dream' . . 24 September 2021 . 22 September 2021.
2. Web site: DeVille . Chris . Alt-J – 'U&ME' . . 23 September 2021 . 22 September 2021.
3. Web site: Brodsky . Rachel . Alt-J – "Get Better" . . 3 November 2021 . 3 November 2021.
4. Web site: Reilly . Kathryn . Album: Alt-J - The Dream . . 18 February 2022 . 9 February 2022.
5. News: Morris. Damien. 13 February 2022. Alt-J: The Dream review – a stroll around the curiosity shop. The Observer. 13 December 2022.
6. Web site: 2022 7-os savaitės klausomiausi (Top 100). AGATA. lt. 18 February 2022. 18 February 2022.
7. Web site: Jaaroverzichten 2022. Ultratop. nl. 14 January 2023.