The Hum Goes on Forever explained

The Hum Goes on Forever
Type:studio
Artist:the Wonder Years
Cover:The Hum Goes on Forever.png
Alt:A young girl's shadow is reflected in the water. The words "The Wonder Years" are printed above her, and below is written "The Hum Goes on Forever", upside down.
Length:44:37
Label:
Producer:
Prev Title:Sister Cities
Prev Year:2018

The Hum Goes on Forever is the seventh studio album by American rock band the Wonder Years. It was released on September 23, 2022, by the Loneliest Place on Earth and Hopeless Records.

Style and composition

The band originally planned to begin writing their next album after the conclusion of their 2020 tour, but the COVID-19 pandemic meant that they did not see each other for several months. They struggled to write virtually, and the record was not created until the band quarantined in a Pennsylvania farmhouse for a week.[1] Many songs on The Hum Goes On Forever reference previous tracks from the Wonder Years' discography: the protagonist of "Oldest Daughter" is named after the titular character in "Madelyn" from The Greatest Generation, while "Cardinals II" is a sequel to the track on No Closer to Heaven.

Recording and production

Steve Evetts, who frequently collaborated with the Wonder Years, produced most of the album, while Will Yip also produced certain tracks, which were initially intended for a standalone EP preceding the album. During production, the band decided to combine the results of both sessions.[2] [3] The recording took place at The Omen Room, Studio 606 and Studio 4.[4]

Release and promotion

On April 21, 2022, the Wonder Years released "Oldest Daughter", their first single since Sister Cities was released four years prior to that and the lead single for a then-untitled album.[5] On May 19, they released "Summer Clothes" as a follow-up single.[6] On June 22, the band announced that The Hum Goes on Forever would be released on September 23 through Hopeless Records. Accompanying the album announcement, which included cover art and a track listing, they released the single "Wyatt's Song (Your Name)".[7]

In October 2022, the Wonder Years headlined a small East Coast tour to promote The Hum Goes On Forever. They were supported by Fireworks and Macseal.[8]

Critical reception

The Hum Goes on Forever was met with "generally favorable" reviews from critics. At Metacritic, which assigns a weighted average rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream publications, this release received an average score of 80, based on 4 reviews.

Personnel

The Wonder Years

Technical

Charts

Chart (2022)! scope="col"
Peak
position
Australian Digital Albums (ARIA)[9] 29
Australian Physical Albums (ARIA)53

Notes and References

  1. News: Mitchell . Matt . How the Wonder Years got older and wiser with The Hum Goes on Forever . . September 22, 2022 . September 23, 2022.
  2. Web site: The Wonder Years - Coughing Out Embers (Album Documentary) . .
  3. News: Sacher . Andrew . The Wonder Years on fatherhood, Mark Hoppus, and making a record that's RIYL The Wonder Years . . September 20, 2022 . September 23, 2022.
  4. The Hum Goes On Forever . . 2022 . booklet . . HR4087-1.
  5. News: Sacher . Andrew . The Wonder Years return with 'Oldest Daughter,' confirm new album . . April 21, 2022 . September 23, 2022.
  6. News: Sacher . Andrew . The Wonder Years release new song 'Summer Clothes' (listen) . . May 19, 2022 . September 23, 2022.
  7. News: Sacher . Andrew . The Wonder Years announce new album 'The Hum Goes On Forever,' share new song . . June 22, 2022 . September 23, 2022.
  8. News: Sacher . Andrew . The Wonder Years announce tour; reunited Fireworks opening! . . July 20, 2022 . September 23, 2022.
  9. The ARIA Report: Week Commencing 3 October 2022. The ARIA Report. Australian Recording Industry Association. 1700. 7, 10. 3 October 2022.