The Hope List is the third studio album by English alternative rock band Lonely the Brave. It was released on 22 January 2021, through Easy Life Records.[1]
| The Hope List | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio album by Lonely the Brave | ||||
| Released | 22 January 2021 (2021-01-22) | |||
| Length | 38:28 | |||
| Label | Easy Life | |||
| Lonely the Brave chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Aggregate scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AnyDecentMusic? | 7.2/10[2] |
| Metacritic | 76/100[3] |
| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| Classic Rock | |
| DIY | |
| Gigwise | 9/10[6] |
| Kerrang! | |
| The Line of Best Fit | 7/10[8] |
| NME | |
| Upset | |
The Hope List 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 76 based on 5 reviews.[3] AnyDecentMusic? gave the release a 7.2 out of 10 based on 6 reviews.[2]
Philip Wilding at Classic Rock said: "LTB's woes have been rewarded with something remarkable: their best record yet."[4] Writing for DIY, Sarah Jamieson explained: "Backed up by powerful guitars and soaring vocals, their brand of intense but atmospheric rock feels rejuvenating."[5] At Gigwise, Mark McConville said: "The Hope List is an expansive chronicle, spearheading truths and dislodging mediocrity. Every song is monumental and there’s a thread running through them all. The Hope List delivers rage and sorrow in equal measure, and it is a monumental release for the Cambridge band."[6] Writing for The Line of Best Fit, Steven Loftin wrote: "Stepping inside The Hope List feels like setting foot on a wide open field, where clouds mar the sunlight, but a warmth still radiates all around. A gentle wind flurries, blowing all around while the horizon feels endless."[8] Dillan Eastoe from Upset Magazine explained: "Recorded at weekends when day jobs and family life permitted, 'The Hope List' finds the band surging back and sounding invigorated by the hardships they've overcome to get here."[10]
The band was scheduled for a UK tour in April 2021, but got pushed for October 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[11][12]
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Bound" | 3:36 |
| 2. | "Distant Light" | 3:40 |
| 3. | "Bright Eyes" | 2:57 |
| 4. | "Chasing Knives" | 3:55 |
| 5. | "The Hope List" | 3:52 |
| 6. | "Keeper" | 3:34 |
| 7. | "(Untitled)" | 0:59 |
| 8. | "Something I Said" | 4:13 |
| 9. | "Open Door" | 3:48 |
| 10. | "Your Heavy Heart" | 3:44 |
| 11. | "The Harrow" | 4:17 |
| Total length: | 38:28 | |
| Chart (2021) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Scottish Albums (OCC)[13] | 21 |
| UK Albums (OCC)[14] | 73 |
| UK Independent Albums (OCC)[15] | 3 |
| UK Rock & Metal Albums (OCC)[16] | 3 |