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The Dream
Studio album by Alt-J
Released	12 February 2022 (2022-02-12)
Genre	Art pop alternative rock indie rock
Length	49:22
Label	Canvasback Infectious
Producer	Charlie Andrew
Alt-J chronology
Reduxer (2018) The Dream (2022)
Singles from The Dream
"U&Me" Released: 22 September 2021 "Get Better" Released: 3 November 2021 "Hard Drive Gold" Released: 5 January 2022 "The Actor" Released: 7 February 2022

The Dream is the fourth studio 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. The track listing for the album was also revealed on this date through publication Stereogum. "Get Better" was released as the album's second single on 3 November 2021 and was accompanied by a pixel-art music video. "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 Dream's cover is a drawing by the artist Joel Wyllie.

Critical reception

This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (November 2023)

Professional ratings

Aggregate scores
Source	Rating
AnyDecentMusic?	7.8/10
Metacritic	79/100
Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic
Beats Per Minute	64%
Clash	7/10
DIY
Gigwise
The Independent
The Line of Best Fit	8/10
NME
PopMatters	8/10
Uncut	6/10

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.

Track listing

All tracks are written by Joe Newman, Thom Sonny Green, and Gus Unger-Hamilton

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

References

1. Skinner, Tom (22 September 2021). "Alt-J share new single 'U&ME' from upcoming fourth album 'The Dream'". NME. Retrieved 24 September 2021.
2. DeVille, Chris (22 September 2021). "Alt-J – 'U&ME'". Stereogum. Retrieved 23 September 2021.
3. Brodsky, Rachel (3 November 2021). "Alt-J – "Get Better"". Stereogum. Retrieved 3 November 2021.
4. Reilly, Kathryn (9 February 2022). "Album: Alt-J - The Dream". The Arts Desk. Retrieved 18 February 2022.
5. "Alt-J The Dream". AnyDecentMusic?. Retrieved 16 February 2022.
6. "The Dream by Alt-J Reviews and Tracks". Metacritic. Retrieved 16 February 2022.
7. Yeung, Neil Z. "Alt-J - The Dream Album Reviews, Songs & More". AllMusic. Retrieved 13 December 2022.
8. Smirnov, Aleksandr (15 February 2022). "Album Review: alt-J – The Dream". Beats Per Minute. Retrieved 16 February 2022.
9. Murray, Robin (10 February 2022). "alt-J - The Dream". Clash. Retrieved 16 February 2022.
10. Taylor, Ims (9 February 2022). "alt-J – The Dream review". DIY. Retrieved 10 February 2022.
11. McCarthy, Neive (7 February 2022). "Album Review: alt-J – The Dream". Gigwise. Retrieved 10 February 2022.
12. O'Connor, Roisin; Nugent, Annabel (10 February 2022). "Album reviews: Spoon, Frank Turner and Alt-J". The Independent. Archived from the original on 18 June 2022. Retrieved 15 February 2022.
13. Horton, Ross (8 February 2022). "What Alt-J's The Dream lacks in heart it makes up for in style and finesse". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved 10 February 2022.
14. Williams, Sophie (10 February 2022). "Alt-J – 'The Dream' review: the revitalised band's most open-hearted record yet". NME. Retrieved 10 February 2022.
15. Merrick, Hayden (7 February 2022). "Alt-J Return with Paternal Earnestness on 'The Dream'". PopMatters. Retrieved 10 February 2022.
16. Sharp, Johnny (March 2022). "alt-J – The Dream". Uncut. No. 298. p. 25.
17. Morris, Damien (13 February 2022). "Alt-J: The Dream review – a stroll around the curiosity shop". The Observer. Retrieved 13 December 2022.
18. "Australiancharts.com – alt-J – The Dream". Hung Medien. Retrieved 18 February 2022.
19. "Austriancharts.at – alt-J – The Dream" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved 22 February 2022.
20. "Ultratop.be – alt-J – The Dream" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 20 February 2022.
21. "Ultratop.be – alt-J – The Dream" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved 20 February 2022.
22. "alt-J Chart History (Canadian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved 22 February 2022.
23. "Dutchcharts.nl – alt-J – The Dream" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 19 February 2022.
24. "Lescharts.com – alt-J – The Dream". Hung Medien. Retrieved 21 February 2022.
25. "Offiziellecharts.de – Alt-J – The Dream" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved 18 February 2022.
26. "Official Irish Albums Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 18 February 2022.
27. "Italiancharts.com – alt-J – The Dream". Hung Medien. Retrieved 19 February 2022.
28. "2022 7-os savaitės klausomiausi (Top 100)" (in Lithuanian). AGATA. 18 February 2022. Retrieved 18 February 2022.
29. "Charts.nz – alt-J – The Dream". Hung Medien. Retrieved 18 February 2022.
30. "Portuguesecharts.com – alt-J – The Dream". Hung Medien. Retrieved 1 March 2022.
31. "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 19 February 2022.
32. "Spanishcharts.com – alt-J – The Dream". Hung Medien. Retrieved 22 February 2022.
33. "Swisscharts.com – alt-J – The Dream". Hung Medien. Retrieved 20 February 2022.
34. "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 19 February 2022.
35. "Official Independent Albums Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 19 February 2022.
36. "alt-J Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved 23 February 2022.
37. "alt-J Chart History (Top Alternative Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved 23 February 2022.
38. "alt-J Chart History (Top Rock Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved 23 February 2022.
39. "Jaaroverzichten 2022" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Retrieved 14 January 2023.

• 2022 albums
• Alt-J albums
• Infectious Music albums