How a band's breakup and reunion produced their first number-one album in America
In short: After disbanding in 2011, LCD Soundsystem returned with American Dream, a record that defied the skepticism surrounding their reunion. The album topped charts in the United States, Canada, and Portugal, proving that a cautious, self-aware comeback could resonate as deeply as the band's earlier, celebrated work.
LCD Soundsystem’s return was marked by significant internal deliberation. James Murphy, the band's frontman, initially hesitated to revive the project, fearing that a reunion might feel disingenuous if it lacked the original members. After discussions with Nancy Whang and Pat Mahoney, the group committed to creating new material. The resulting album, American Dream, was recorded across multiple cities, including London and Portland, and served as the final project produced at the original DFA Studios in New York City. The band’s meticulous process required them to cancel tour dates in Asia and Australia in 2016 to ensure the record was completed to their standards.
Upon its release on September 1, 2017, the album was met with widespread critical acclaim, earning an average score of 86 out of 100 on Metacritic. Critics frequently compared the sound to David Bowie’s Berlin Trilogy, noting its exploration of heavy themes like depression, the dissolution of friendships, and the fear of aging. While some reviewers, such as those at The Wire, criticized the production as bloated or lacking melodic depth, others praised it as a virtuosic and urgent statement. The album’s success was bolstered by innovative marketing, including an ice cream truck that played tracks as jingles and a virtual reality experience titled Dance Tonite.
Commercially, the album achieved milestones that had eluded the band during their previous run. It sold 85,000 equivalent album units in its first week in the United States, securing the band's first number-one spot on the Billboard 200. This momentum carried into the awards season, where the track Tonite secured the band their first Grammy Award for Best Dance Recording. Despite the initial backlash from some fans regarding the reunion and the album's minimalist cover art, American Dream solidified its place in the band's legacy, appearing on numerous year-end lists and earning the title of Album of the Year from both Mojo and Uncut.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: American Dream (LCD Soundsystem album)
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