Cover the Mirrors
| Cover the Mirrors | ||||
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| File:Ben Kweller – Cover the Mirrors.jpg | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | May 30, 2025 | |||
| Length | 43:45 | |||
| Label | The Noise Company | |||
| Ben Kweller chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Cover the Mirrors | ||||
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Cover the Mirrors is the seventh studio album by American singer-songwriter Ben Kweller.[1] The album is partially a tribute and remembrance of Kweller's 16-year-old son, Dorian, who tragically died in a car accident.[1] It was recorded at NoiseCo in Dripping Springs, Texas and released on Dorian's birthday, May 30, 2025.[2]
Background
[edit | edit source]"Optimystic" was released as the first single of the album on December 13, 2024.[3] It was followed by the second and third singles, "Dollar Store" and "Oh Dorian" on February 12 and May 27, 2025.[4][5]
Critical reception
[edit | edit source]| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic | StarStarStarStarHalf star[6] |
| New Noise | StarStarStarStarFile:Star empty.svg[7] |
Reviews of the album were generally positive, with many referencing its emotional depth and tribute function.
AllMusic's Fred Thomas rated the album 4.5 stars, calling it an "expression of crushing grief delivered with...hope and optimism."[6]
Abby Johnston of The Austin Chronicle described the album as "honest, dynamic, and ripped wide open," highlighting "Oh Dorian" and "Dollar Store" as emotional anchors.[8]
John Moore of New Noise called it "an emotional wrecking ball" and "a beautiful distillation of a father's love, admiration, and uncertainty."[7]
Track listing
[edit | edit source]| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Going Insane" | 3:42 |
| 2. | "Dollar Store" (featuring Waxahatchee) | 3:24 |
| 3. | "Trapped" | 2:49 |
| 4. | "Park Harvey Fire Drill" | 2:25 |
| 5. | "Depression" (featuring Coconut Records) | 2:45 |
| 6. | "Don't Cave" | 4:02 |
| 7. | "Optimystic" | 3:36 |
| 8. | "Brakes" | 4:42 |
| 9. | "Killer Bee" (featuring the Flaming Lips) | 2:48 |
| 10. | "Letter to Agony" | 5:05 |
| 11. | "Save Yourself" | 4:26 |
| 12. | "Oh Dorian" (featuring MJ Lenderman) | 4:01 |
| Total length: | 43:45 | |
Personnel
[edit | edit source]- Ben Kweller – vocals, guitars, keys
- Chris Mintz-Plasse – bass
- Ryan Dean – drums
- Warren Hood – strings
- Waxahatchee – vocals on "Dollar Store"
- Coconut Records – vocals and keys on "Depression"
- The Flaming Lips – guitars and keys on "Killer Bee"
- MJ Lenderman – guitars on "Oh Dorian"[2]
Production
[edit | edit source]- Producer – Ben Kweller
- Audio engineer – Steve Mazur
- Assistant engineer – Jackson Baker
- Mastering engineer – Howie Weinberg[2]
References
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