The Past Is Still Alive Explained

The Past Is Still Alive
Type:	studio
Artist:	Hurray for the Riff Raff
Cover:	Hurray for the Riff Raff - The Past Is Still Alive.png
Recorded:	2023
Length:	36:39
Label:	Nonesuch
Producer:	Brad Cook
Prev Title:	Life on Earth
Prev Year:	2022

The Past Is Still Alive is the ninth studio album by Hurray for the Riff Raff. It was released on February 23, 2024, through Nonesuch Records. Produced by Brad Cook, the album features contributions from Conor Oberst, Meg Duffy, Anjimile and S.G. Goodman.

Background

Front member Alynda Segarra started recording The Past Is Still Alive the month after the death of their father,^[1] in March 2023.^[2] The album emerged from a period of "personal grief" and pulled inspiration from "radical poetry, railroad culture, outsider art", as well as works from Eileen Myles and activist groups like ACT UP and Gran Fury.^[3] It sees Segarra dealing with the passing of time and the "ones left behind". Tracks are viewed from the perspective of Segarra as "first-person lyrics" and reflects on key moments of their childhood, struggles in early adulthood and lessons learnt in the present time.^[4] Upon announcing The Past Is Still Alive on November 9, 2023, Segarra also shared the lead single "Alibi". They described the song as "a reckoning with time and memory" in an attempt to reach someone that is "destined to be lost".^[5]

Hurray for the Riff Raff are set to promote the album through a 39-date North America and Europe tour in early 2024.^[6]

Personnel

Musicians

• Alynda Segarra – vocals (all tracks); acoustic guitar, shaker (tracks 1–10); programming (11)
• Brad Cook – bass guitar (tracks 1–9), acoustic guitar (2), Wurlitzer (3), synthesizer (4), vibraphone (8)
• Phil Cook – organ (tracks 1–10), piano (1, 2, 4, 7–10), electric guitar (1, 8, 9), Dobro (2, 4), Wurlitzer (5, 6), marimba (5)
• Matt Douglas – baritone saxophone, tenor saxophone (tracks 5, 9)
• Meg Duffy – electric guitar (tracks 3, 5, 6, 8); background vocals, synthesizer (5); slide guitar (6)
• S.G. Goodman – background vocals (track 8)
• Mike Mogis – pedal steel guitar (tracks 2, 10); synth bass, synthesizer (10)
• Conor Oberst – background vocals (track 9)
• Liddy Rodenburgh – fiddle (track 7)
• Anjimile Segarra – background vocals (track 10)
• Jose Segarra – keyboards, vocals (track 11)
• Yan Westerlund – drums (tracks 1–10), tambourine (1, 4–10)

Technical

• Brad Cook – production, engineering
• Heba Kadry – mastering
  • Mike Mogis – mixing Paul Voran – engineering

Charts

Chart (2024)! scope="col"

Peak position
Australian Digital Albums (ARIA)^[7]	23
Croatian International Albums (HDU)^[8]	29

Notes and References

1. Web site: Hurray for the Riff Raff Announces Album, Shares New Song: Listen. Strauss. Matthew. Pitchfork. November 9, 2023. November 12, 2023.
2. Web site: Hurray for the Riff Raff. First Avenue. November 9, 2023. November 12, 2023.
3. Web site: Hurray For The Riff Raff – "Alibi". Chelosky. Danielle. Stereogum. November 9, 2023. November 12, 2023.
4. Web site: Hurray for the Riff Raff Looks Back on Life Story on New Album The Past Is Still Alive. Chandler. Stacy. No Depression. November 9, 2023. November 12, 2023.
5. Web site: Hurray for the Riff Raff Announce New LP The Past Is Still Alive, Share Lead Single. Jambands. November 10, 2023. November 12, 2023.
6. Web site: Hurray for the Riff Raff Announce New Album The Past Is Still Alive, Plot International Tour. Petrosian. Nika. Exclaim!. November 9, 2023. November 12, 2023.
7. The ARIA Report: Week Commencing 4 March 2024. The ARIA Report. Australian Recording Industry Association. 1774. 10. March 4, 2024.
8. Web site: Lista prodaje 10. tjedan 2024. (26.02.2024. - 03.03.2024.). March 15, 2024 . HDU. hr. March 15, 2024.