All of a Sudden I want to dream

Explosions in the Sky is not shy about evoking the unnamed emotions that exist between your initial reaction and deeper introspection—those first flashes of excitement, the tension of a held breath. All of a Sudden I Miss Everyone is perhaps their most direct attempt at capturing that space. In doing so, they land on an album that feels comfortable and lucid—consistently good, though not quite great.

“Birth and Death of the Day” and “Welcome, Ghosts” are standout tracks that set the tone early. With the right blend of drums and guitar, they ease you into the album without wasting time. “Welcome, Ghosts,” in particular, captures the sense of energy and wonder the band is known for.

What the album lacks is a true centerpiece—a defining track that the rest of the record can orbit around. How Strange, Innocence had “Snow and Lights,” and Those Who Tell the Truth Shall Die, Those Who Tell the Truth Shall Live Forever had “With Tired Eyes, Tired Minds, Tired Souls, We Slept.” This album never quite finds its equivalent. It offers a collection of strong songs, but no single moment that rises above the rest.

Still, All of a Sudden I Miss Everyone shows the band’s creative evolution and a confident step forward. While it may not be their strongest work, it remains a solid and worthwhile entry in their catalog.