Valentine by Snail Mail

"Valentine" is the second studio album by Snail Mail. It was released on November 5, 2021 through Matador Records. Lindsey Jordan tried to begin writing material for her second album immediately after her debut "Lush". However, she struggled to write because she was on tour and lacked opportunities for solitude. During the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Jordan returned to her parents' home in Baltimore, where she began to start working seriously on "Valentine". In November 2020, Jordan spent 45 days in a rehab facility in Arizona, an experience she references directly in "Ben Franklin". "Valentine" received critical acclaim upon release, earning a Metacritic score of 88/100 and the 'Best New Music' certification by Pitchfork. Olivia Horn of Pitchfork wrote that Jordan "flirts with pop—sharpening her hooks, reaching for the synths and strings", in contrast to the "limited possibilities of a three-piece rock band" on her previous album "Lush". Horn rated the album 8.5/10, stating that Jordan's songwriting was "dazzlingly sharp and passionate". In a glowing review for NME, El Hunt wrote that "Jordan's songwriting is as astute as ever, and her exploration of love here is set to a rich palette of explorative strings and synths", rating the album 5 stars out of 5. Writing for AllMusic, Marcy Donelson gave the album 3.5 starts out of 5, arguing that while Valentine represents a "bold musical step" for Jordan, it nevertheless "leaves some of her distinctiveness behind." ℗ 2021 Matador Records